Make the Intermodal yard into

Make the Intermodal yard into a small yard.

That's alot coming from a

I built this layout to some

I built this layout to some finished scenery on the mountain side. I don't have specific advice for your queries but I can tell you that I managed to add a turnout in before the middle tunnel on the opposite side from the bridge. I had a metal yardstick and a long series of ME plate girders to form a bridge across the "valley" that was going to lead to an expansion but I abandoned it before I got that far. I decided to switch to HO at that juncture. Selling all the Unitrack and some Heritage Fleet Kato diesels funded the scale change and I never looked back. I can also tell you that the "expansion tracks" specified in the plan can be easily substituted by making custom lengths of Unitrack. Cut the plastic roadbed out of the middle and slide the end pieces together and join with liquid cement. Cut rails to length. There are tutorials on the web to do this if my description isn't clear.

MR Canadian Canyons

You should look at the new MR Canadian Canyons N scale layout as well. They have return staging below the layout using a double track helix with one track operating in each direction. This type of helix cold be implemented on the Salt Lake Route at either end; this would put the mainline coming into the middle of the yard side. 

AzBaja's comment is pretty straightforward the way I read it. He suggests using the intermodal yard as a stub ended yard, it requires no redesign and just scenery change. If you want a run through yard, that will be more difficult with the length available.

The best way to work out track layout is to put it down on the benchwork and try a few things. With something of this size, you'll find yourself trying to draw in more than is physically possible. Switches take up room, especially in a run through yard ladder. It may also be a good idea to have one larger customer with multiple car spots and types rather than multiple customers with one car spots.

Thanks to everyone so far. I

Oh and the kato track l will

Keep the Updates Coming!

Glad to hear you are working out the trackplan. I'd definitely like to see what you end up with.

The new Walthers bridge looks very nice. You can also look at Central Valley, their truss bridge is a great kit.

I handlay my switches, so I would push you towards that, it's a great skill to learn and you have total freedom on your geometry. I can build a single switch in about 40 minutes, and can build a two, three, or four switch combination in not much more time. Peco is also great track. If you go with Peco, code 55 or code 80, you can still handlay switches using code 80 to mate with the Peco track.

Staging idea

Track plan

Hi,

looking at the track plan and the questions on what kind of yard, maybe fitting an extra industry...

From my point of view the most important question is whether you prefer watching trains run ("rail-fan") or switching and operations.

The left side of the track plan (where the guy with the drink is) is basically rail-fan territory. There is a double main line for running twice as many trains, providing a lot of watching trains while sipping a drink.

The right side of the track plan supports the rail-fan side with (again) a double main line and long passing sidings. You can set it up to run a train on the main line, stop it while running a train from (and to) the passing siding - and so on.

But - when not rail-faning - the right side supports quite a bit of switching. There's a yard, a loco service facility (which serves as loco display while rail-faning), and a bit of industry.

In my opinion, the track plan is a very good compromise between the two purposes, probably a bit on the rail fan side. However, it's easy to adapt if you know you want more switching or more rail-faning. A very nice track plan, really.

The comments about "make the left side staging" or "add dual helices into staging" show how easy it is to adapt the track plan, however they sacrifice the rail-fan part of the layout. In a similar fashion, I'd look at putting an industry on the left side, but that's my thing. So, back to the question, what aspect are you more interested in? That will ultimately decide the modifications you'll do to the track plan.

Please remember it is possible to change a layout after it's built. Should you discover you'll want more switching you can "bulldoze" a bit of scenery and put an industry in. It might hurt to do so, but it is possible. Also, this track plan is basically two scenes that are just connected by some tracks and some wires. You could "split" it down the middle and put something else in between.

If I were in your place, I'd pick a corner of the layout and start building. The track plan is good as is and you'll have something to motivate you to go on No one says the "intermodal yard" needs to be "intermodal" or the "furniture factory" needs to make "furniture"... Your choice.

Have fun!