(http://gold.mylargescale.com/vsmith/David%20Hill%202.jpg)
Maybe something like this?
I like the that ideal so much ric that I might have to use it on my RR.
Vic I might steal your ideal as well. I hve a small area in my yard just off a deck that your “L” shape plan would work great and I could use the farry port as a way to connect it to my big layout.
thanks guys.
Victor Smith said:
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lastmanout/_forumfiles/MiniLayout.JPG)
Vic and David, I liked the first plan better. The short spur near the proposed Ferry Slip looked like a perfect idler storage track. The only thing I wouild have done is eliminate the building you had at the end of the area we are speaking of for the ferry slip. I guess the idler storage also could be access to the wharf and when that is occuppied store the idler on the “float apron”. Hey David, we are just spending your money. You’ve got to make the decision what works for you. In this track plan, that I copied from Victor’s posting. I would have the “Ferry Slip Apron” to go off the layout at the lower left corner. The slanted track next to it would be the “Idler Storage Track”. The track the curve wraps around would be the “Team Track” and maybe the “Wharf Track”. The “Engine House Track” would be just that with the other track having a closed door to the second stall of the engine house. Just my thoughts. Your money, energy and time, David. 
I have some rr loading dock pics in the Civil War photo book to use as an example.
Has anyone built, or have pics of a wharf like we are discussing?
I like the offset engine bay door Vic drew, the track layout I like what I sort of drew for the original idea.
Construction method concept for review:
A piece of 3/4" plywood for the base on top of the wall and inside the engine house, with a layer of foam on top that can be moderately contoured in the yard, possible with a gully for a culvert.
One or two smaller buildings with lighting, (yardmaster house, ferrymans office??)
There isn’t going to be any room for “operating”. It will be simply a display that can move.
Thanks again for the tips and hints. I don’t see any problem with spending toooo much to build.
Dave, couple options, just leave the foam out of where the ferry is and build the wharf sides as planked, or leave the foam out and build the wharf as a typical pole type.
Okay, top photo is a marked out representation of the centerline of the half height walls and lengths I have to work with (partially seen on the left side of the pics.).
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lastmanout/_forumfiles/TapeLayout.jpg)
The first try does not seem to work since there is not enough room to pull in to the short leg and back up.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lastmanout/_forumfiles/Firstlayout.jpg)
This one is closer to what Victor drew. The curved track is all 4’radius. I stretched the track past the end of the short leg about 12" and split the wall at the end of the longest leg along the inside of the full height wall.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lastmanout/_forumfiles/Secondlayout.jpg)
Am I on the right track?
David,
What you are trying to do will be more suitable for an 0-4-0 switcher without a tender. A bigger loco with tender is going to dwarf the layout.
One of the little Hartland Macks would also work well. Either would only need a foot of track to back up beyond the switch.
Ralph