Dear Dan, I'm sorry, I'm

Dear Dan,

I'm sorry, I'm not sure I get the question here?
Any chance of posting a trackplan image so we can assess the issue more-effectively for you?

If the switchlead needs to be curved, so be it. Just make sure that the curve doesn't dip below your minimum radii, and if there will need to be any active coupling/uncoupling occur on the lead,
(as opposed to simply "drilling" back-n-forth or "grand pull/grand shove" moves)

choose the curve radii with respect to the minimums required by the locos/cars you intend to use.
("Minimum curve radii for reliable couple/uncouple" is often larger than "Minimum curve radii for a coupled train to reliably simply run round...")

FWIW, (and IIRC this was fleshed out in an article by Joe F in one of the earliest MRHs),
- identify the longest car you'll be switching (coupling/uncoupling) with
- confirm it's length (in real inches)

- Multiply that length by 3

= minimum reliable coupling/uncoupling curve radii
(You can always go larger, but it's not advisable to go tighter!)

That means (Rules-of-thumb measurements here!)

HO 40' cars = 6 inches long = min 18" radii
HO 50' cars = 7 inches long = min 21" radii
HO 60' cars = 8.5 inches long = min approx 25.5" radii

Hope this helps...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS NB that some cars have significant coupler<> truck overhang, which can skew the figures.
It also is important to note that coupling DIS-similar length cars introduces other factors which are best handled by blowing-out the switchlead radii even futhur...
(EG 2x 60' flatcars may well couple/uncouple OK on a 25' radii curve,
but try the same couple/uncouple moves between a 60 and a 40' car, and the coupler offset will significantly affect the mechanical operation...)

i should have been a bit

i should have been a bit clearer.i mean what what be a good material for the staging. braced plywood a board maybe?.the radius will be about 24" so i can run my bowser c-630 and 50-60 foot cars.the layout will have one turnout and 2 warehouses , one with 2 carspots and 3 perhaps for the other on the same spur.and a team track on the other track. simple but plenty of car shuffling for me.

thanks prof, i am a big fan of your work and enjoy listening to you on model rail radio.

What about another hollow

What about another hollow core door?

Make staging as big as possible

I think Tony Koester's staging formula is 2n+1.  That is, twice the staging tracks you think you will need plus one more! Later, once your OPs commence, you will need more staging than you thought and it is difficult to add more later. I will second the "use another door" idea.  They make 12" wide door panels for bi-fold doors that might work nicely.

Good luck,