10' x 1' space for yard is considered - A-small,B-medium (HO)
Little more of a description of my "ideal" layout : 1940 -50 ish - Big engine service for FA A/B, FT,F3 PH II,IV,F7,GP7,GP9,BL2,E6 A/B, E7, Doodlebugs, STEAM - 280,282,482,2102,2880,All the Manuta B&O President series.....Freight and Passenger .......Long double main - it can follow the contour of the room without looking "loop-ish" - Plenty of industries - Freight,L.C.L.,Lumber yard,Gravel pit w/pit,Harbor scene w/ coal clamshell, 5 bulk cranes, carfloat, etc., Each tug w/coal barge or carfloat too move on it's own table, Sylvan Ore and Tramp freighters to do the same,HO30 Mine w/ own train/cars,City - large passenger station,Small town - smaller depot,Bascule bridge, Swing bridge, 4 AHM Draw bridges, - Do like to watch trains(passenger,freight,coal,locals) circle the layout, lots of (move this load from here to there),and debating the large yard thing.....Plus the one plan where the engine facility is in the corner lends to plenty of grades on the other side of the layout - where the large wharf is on the right side of the room, that would be flat and on the other side is the large yard, again large and flat. - Should I try to scale the yard down some? Thanks for you input and I know the final comes down to what am I looking for - I just like both aspects of them and I am not into a double shelf right now.......Thanks Chris
I vote for a bigger yard. And, I second Brakie, rip out the engine servicing facilities or at least scale it back, other than turning the engines it's just a bunch of scenery that's wasting space (but then, I'm an ops guy that just wants to run trains).
Yes..All of those industries will require a study flow of cars and that means there will be a overflow problem...
Here's my personal thought...Unless I was modeling steam I would rip out that space eating roundhouse and turntable and add more industries.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Interesting question here, my experience has/was/ that when I was a much younger lad I wanted BIG yards to have all of my kitbuilt and scratchbuilt rolling stock where it could be seen and admired along with a large engine service facility for showing off all of my big steamers as well.
Well, age has some interesting changes on your thought processes and I have now taken a complete 180 degree flip on this. Now all I want is "enough" to hold some equipment and the more scenery and running area the better I like it. I find I'm a lot more interested in seeing my trains "run" rather than seeing them sit in a yards and take up valuable space.
Not saying I'm right or that you're wrong, it's just a matter of personal preference at this point.
Mark
NMRC
The short answer is yes! As I begin to focus more and more on the operational aspects of the hobby, I've come to value the importance of yards, team tracks, and passing sidings.
Have Fun.... Bob.
it all comes down to how much yard capacity you'll need for your operations. If you don't need the space, use it for something else. And don't forget that if your yard is too big, you'll just end up storing cars forever instead of cycling them throughout the layout.
one square = 1 foot
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VS.
It sounds like an urban switching layout, with a lot of operations. Is it a point to point or continuous run. A track plan would be helpful. I think I would figure out car capacities of all the industries and then build the yard only as big as it needs to be. Maybe shorten the yard but have more tracks. This may give you more room for scenic effects. It's all up to you. It's your world, do whatever feels good! My vote is always for more scenery and less track.
Phil, CEO, Eastern Sierra Pacific Railroad. We know where you are going, before you do!
scoutll
Could you perhaps post plans showing your two options? There are some people on these forums who seem to be able to interpret and analyze plans pretty well.
My one question would be - if you build the larger yard (theoretically with longer trains) where will you run those trains if the distances between your other destinations are closer together? I think you will want to avoid the scenario where the front of a train arrives at its destination before the back of the train has left the yard.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
HO scale - Have room for a 20' curved yard next to a 6' x 8'(peninsula) full service loco terminal with a 14' straight wharf across the room w/ a coal crane,5 bulk cranes, car-float, with lots of sidings, but less flow between scenes(gravel pit,small town, city, n scale mine, lumberyard, etc.) - If I change the 6 x 8 area to be the wharf and condense the yard I will have more room for a larger gravel pit , etc., and more flow between scenes - Both plans have room for plenty of siding work along with the double main. Choice two looks easier on the eyes(?) but am also intrigued by a large yard??