It didn’t rain for a change, so I got out today and fiddled around with my Yard setup. This is what I come up with. The shortest siding is 7 feet. There is 9 feet between the switches on the runaround. Any suggestions are welcome…before I start construction this weekend. I have 4 unused switches left…all LH switches. Ralph
The half circle coming off the Wye is where the Engine House for the 0-4-0 switcher will be located.
You need an interlocking tower!
(http:///F-PIX/BergYard.jpg)
(http:///F-PIX/BergYard2.jpg)
get rid of the wiggly s-curves And where did you plan for a drill track? Now you’ll also have a RH turnout, use it wisely! 
David Russell said:
You need an interlocking tower!
Funny you should mention that. I have one on the interchange between the two shortlines. The yard comes off the short straight at the top left, between the left and right curves. Ken was kind enough to send me another 
Just have to build it. Ralph
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
(http:///F-PIX/BergYard.jpg)
(http:///F-PIX/BergYard2.jpg)
get rid of the wiggly s-curves And where did you plan for a drill track? Now you’ll also have a RH turnout, use it wisely!
HJ, That looks good. I’ll lay it out tomorrow and see how it fits. I have to walk across the upper end where the switches are in your plan…but it looks like there may be enough space. Thanks. Ralph
He needs a switching lead that is not on the mainline… i.e. when you pull cars off one of the body tracks, you do NOT want to back onto the main line…
Regards, Greg
Drill track or switching lead could be a challenge looking at what is around the Wye.
Ahh… the wye is at the “top” of the first picture? OK, no room there!
Greg
I’ve got an idea that will give me more of a lead…but won’t do away with the curves.
We’ll see what I can come up with tomorrow.
Ralph
hehe. I carefully figured out the yard and siding for the shop layout, but reversed the turnout directions when I ordered them. So I put the siding and yard the opposite direction. It turned out pretty good. Perhaps nicer than the original plan.
Here is a better view of my original plan. As you can see, I have room to do switching without backing onto the main line. I am trying to keep the yard all brass. I have more LH switches and R1 curves, but all the straight brass I have is shown in the photo…other than a few 6 inch sections. Ralph The rocks along the mainline are temporary, until I can establish some plants.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030981Medium.JPG)
This is an interesting “Ten Commandments” of yard design.
http://www.housatonicrr.com/yard_des.html
Good stuff to keep in mind.
My yard, which is still under construction, (sorry, no pics yet) has only one switch off the main line.
It will have the usual “fork-tine” shape, with the center spur longer leading to the turntable.
Operators would be able to dink around the yard making up trains without fouling the main line too much.
It will be built up on a raised platform similar to Mr. Smiths of Brandon, Or.
Stuck out as a separate “peninsula” from the layout. About 35 feet long overall.
Thanks Bob.
Very helpful.
I can see some areas that could use improvement. But I feel pretty good. My original design does not do a bad job, considering limited space and resources.
Today will be spent seeing if I can make a few improvements.
Ralph
I can’t quite tell what part of the “wye” structure is the mainline, but if the right hand switch of the wye (in the last picture) connected on far side of the first switch, then you could back up into the wye as the switch lead and not have that curvy loop, but maybe the mainline goes through the wye track that is in the very foreground… In any case, interesting track layout, you can have a lot of fun with it. I wonder if “connecting” your mainline with passing siding to the 3 yard tracks would give you more flexibility, i.e. the passing siding is also connected to the yard tracks so it then helps the yard by being a “runaround” track? You have to excuse me though, I’m a SG guy, so I’m always thinking of these crazy things. My yard is not completed, the mainline is on the left, and the right far track is one of the 2 switching leads, the other curved track in the foreground is the other switching lead. There are a couple of tracks missing from the switches near the front.
(http://www.elmassian.com/images/stories/track/switchyard/switchyard_long.jpg)
sorry for the huge picture… at work… Regards, Greg
Here is my yard, built on a table so JB doesn’t have to get down on his knees, anymore. It is on a branch off the mainline, just like the prototype WI&M.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/stevef/Bovil-3.jpg)
I’ve removed the “house,” so there will be more room for playing. The switch that you can just barely see leads off to the turntable/roundhouse, which should be built this summer. The "straight-through leads to the mainline. That area that is now covered with weed cloth will be filled in with dirt, and then the track will be ballasted.
Well, here is plan B, using what I learned from the link Bob provided. Biggest problem is I am about 12-14 feet short of straight track. Starting from the left…a short caboose siding. The swicher will be able to pull the assembled train over to the runaround.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030990Medium.JPG)
The Wye is in the lower left in the photo. The switcher will be able to pull the assembled train to one leg of the Wye, depending on which direction the train is traveling. Unfortunately, it will then have to momentarily jump on the main line to hit the other leg of the Wye. The switcher will then have to wait there until the main line loco hooks up and pulls the train out. Not ideal…but probably the best I can do given the space limitations. Lots of curves…but what can you do. I’d have to pull out the wife’s Azeleas to get a little more width…and I know better than to try that Ralph Two of the Wye switches are on one of the mainlines. The loop on the bottom right will house the engine house for the switcher.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030988Medium.JPG)
Ralph, you have to take those “s curves” out of your yard, look at Steve’s and my ladder… I think using the switches, the ladder starts on the right side, not the left. I see the problem you are encountering, the s curve after the wye to curve back around to get to the main line…
So, I would have the main and it’s passing siding on the left, and the yard on the right… That also means that the main has a nicer gentle curve after the wye, and the “snake” is on the lead to the switchyard…
Regards, Greg
Greg Elmassian said:
Ralph, you have to take those "s curves" out of your yard, look at Steve's and my ladder... I think using the switches, the ladder starts on the right side, not the left. I see the problem you are encountering, the s curve after the wye to curve back around to get to the main line...So, I would have the main and it’s passing siding on the left, and the yard on the right… That also means that the main has a nicer gentle curve after the wye, and the “snake” is on the lead to the switchyard…
Regards, Greg
Greg,
I think Ralph should try it out the way he laid it out. That’s the quickest way to get the drift: push rows of cars through those repeating S-curves. 
:lol:
But his last picture offers possibilities, much better than the first two to show what can be done to make it function AND have a drill track. 
PS Have to hustle to town first and get a replacement for my vary Dremel, there is work to do! The I’ll p…aint on Ralph’s picture.
