To begin with I decided that 18" in depth and 6' in length as 2 sections, each 3', that would connect in the middle would be a good starting point and fit with my original limitations. I wanted some semblence of a main line, even if it was more implied than actual, some industries to switch and probably some type of interchange track.
This is Design 0. Actually there were many attempts before this but I'm going to share each candidate that for one reason or another I thought was "the one" and leave out all the failed attempts. Looking at this I envisioned a mailline (2nd track up), a spur to park cars, engines, etc. on at the bottom and a couple of industries at the top with a run around and an implied off track connection. In the final analysis there was probably not enough room on the right side spur for the run around to even fit an engine let alone a car and engine. Also, only the industry on the left would be able to have much in the way of a structure. The industry on the right would have to be just false flats.
So back to the drawing board....
Now for Design one I simplified the track and implied tha main line coming in about half way up. At the top are a couple of industries and another industry bottom left with a 2 track yard or interchange bottom right. it has more room for industries but there is no run around making it impossible to spot or pick up at the upper left hand industry.
So back to the drawing board...
Design 2 is where I started to think a bit differently. In this case the double main line is just for show with an implied curved interchange track just to the left of it. Room for 2 sizeable industries but again no run around and the spur is too small for an engine and a car.
So back to the drawing board... which, btw, I'm using the free software from Atlas to work up these designs. I haven't decided if I'm using Atlas track yet but for concepts and just trying things out it's pretty easy to work with. You can get it here.
Design 3 was another attempt to think outside the normal style. In this case I turned one of the sections 90 degrees to make a simple L design. Again, double main line (non operational), curve interchange track but like the rest the spurs are too short and there isn't really more than an industry or two to switch at best with the yet again problem of no run arounds.
So back to the drawing board...
Design 5 (I don't remember what I did with design 4... probably got frustrated with it and never saved it). Main line across the bottom with 3-4 industries. Spurs are large enough but I forgot the run around again so I can't actually switch all the industries.
So back to the drawing board...
Final 1. This design was, I thought the final design. The curved track is the interchange to the implied main line and I've got 3 and maybe even 4 industries. I was quite happy with this and posted to a discussion group for critique. Took about 5 minutes for them to rip it apart pointing out that again the top left corner would be inaccessible for spotting cars. Otherwise the design as is wasn't too bad. In case you hadn't noticed I changed to 6" squares on this drawing.
There is one other major problem with this layout and all of the previous ones. Remember earlier I said that it would be in two 3' pieces? Look at the dividing point for each of the previous designs. There are tracks going all over the place. It would be impossible to join these without pretty much ripping the track loose the first time I tried.
So back to the drawing board...
Final 2 is where I abandoned the original thinking of 2 - 3' sections and decided to experiment with 3 - 3' sections for an overall size of 18" x 9'. Suddenly things that were very difficult like run around and short stub tracks became much easier to do. I was even able to incorporate 3 industries and the mainline and interchange track too. I was quite happy but after mulling this one over for a few days I decided to try and tweak it a bit.
So, after my final design attempt...
I think we have a winner. Again 18" x 9' as 3 sections. Three industries and an engine shed or 4 industries and the engine just gets left outside when not in use. Double main line and an Interchange track. Stubs are big enough to actually operate and the division sections are between the silos/building and just to the right of the center industry. In both cases all tracks are 90 degrees to the joint so connecting and disconnect should be, relatively, easy.
The plan is the top left corner will be a building front with an outdoor loading crane if I do a flat car based industry or some type of chemical or ashphalt transfer point if I base it on tank cars. The top middle building is intended as an engine shed and servicing point. Basically just a cheap tin shed and a fuel tank, maybe some "spare parts" lying around. Think cheap and dirty. Finally the top right industry will be for hopper cars. Perhaps grain silos or plastic pellet silos. The lower left corner will be a warehouse with side loading and right next to it (or part of the same building) another side loading or perhaps inside loading facility. Box cars would probably be the only cars here. There will be a road that goes under the interchange and branch line tracks and essentially parallels the main line. Finally there may be a small, probably abandoned now, building by the crossing.
While studying this drawing I have mentally switched just about every possible combination from interchange to industry and back and have not found a problem. Everything seems to fit and operations seem a distinct probability with this design.
Next step is to formalize this drawing a bit for use in the next planning steps.
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