Perspective Views of Yard

Some perspective views.

Alan

FWIW

Track planning/design is not my forte so take this for what it is worth. By the use of the word yard I assume classification yard. To that end there isn't much space for cars. It looks more like an industrial switching area with ample "yard" to make and break trains while servicing the industries. It does look like a fun spot to switch.

Nicely drafted

It would be easier to comment with some info on the purpose of the yard, as Alan says.  I'm trying to figure out a function for the crossover at the top left, for example. 

The design looks like a good place to arrive with maybe a dozen cars, spend some time working pulls and set-outs, and then depart.

A thorough guide to developing railroad yards is Andy Sperandeo's Kalmbach book, "The Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Yards"

Gotta to agree

Have to agree with Alan and joe. For any help here you need to tell us what this is supposed to be a yard for. 

1 classification yard - NO

2 small industry yard - OK

3 Transfer yard - Maybe. 

You would gain a "sorting track if you can bring the loop back on itself prior to coming through the yard. It is nothing more than a turning circle, so don't waste the space by adding a double track main line.

The blue cross over on the middle left would be better served by flipping it the other direction. Just doodling around but something along this line. easier to in and out from both ends.  

Purpose

Do the tracks on the left end connect to anything?

How does a train get into or out of the yard? (looks like most trains saw in or out)

What is the purpose of the loop?

I don't really see a clear purpose unless the track on the left connect to modules and its a turnback loop for a modular system

What do you want to do at the yard?

I can't really see a clear purpose for it, its not really laid out to be handy for classification, industry work or interchange.  If you ascribe to the "form follows function" school of thought, I can't tell the function based on the form.  Pretty much if you put cars on two or three tracks in the "yard" you have sewed up most of the moves you would need to receive or depart a train.

What do trains using this yard do?  If I was operating at this yard and you were going to write down what work I have to do, what would it look like?

How about this

Purpose of yard

The yard is what J. Armstrong calls an industrial yard, and, as laid out here is a "terminal yard".  When I originally designed it one of the middle tracks was a through main track, with an implied continuation beyond the left edge.

The loop allows trains from Springfield (arriving from the left) to eventually enter the yard; the lower bypass is part of a town scene on the other side of the backdrop/divider.  Conversly, the loop allows a train to leave and return back to Springfield (arriving there from the West).  [Springfield Union Station in Mass has an East/West orientation]

The overall layout context for the yard

Thanks for all the comments.

I thought I would post the overall layout to show how the yard fits in (I left off the second level). 

Full height walls on 3 sides; the blue walls are 48 inches high.

Alan

Instead of a balloon loop put

Instead of a balloon loop put in a wye.  That will allow you to use just one runaround in the yard, leaving room for actual yard tracks.

Yard design

If the yard is to service the industrial area it seems like a bit of overkill on the amount of yard track. If it is your main classification yard I think you will be very frustrated with it.

For an industrial service track you could get by with 2-3 yard tracks. You can save yourself some money by starting with less. If you find that you need more track you can add it latter.

If you are wanting a classification yard I would recommend that it be on the mainline (like the track shown at the top of the overall context) and that its double ended. I would have an arrival / departure track(s) that do not interfere with the the main or classification track. Also have a drill track that does not interfere with other operations on the layout.

A yard crew will be very busy working to keep the trains running on the layout for the rest of the operating crew. Some food for thought.

Good luck

Revised Yard Design

I incorporated some suggestions by cadmaster and dave1905 (thank for the suggestion, I kind of fell into a rut)