Is there any way to use a

Is there any way to use a large size turnout?  If you went up to a #6 or #8, it would minimize the "S-curve".

What kind of equipment will you be running?  If it's 1950s era stuff, (mostly 40' cars, and shorter locomotives) then #5's forming the S-Curve should be ok.  But if it's 89' long cars, with SD-70MAC's, then that could be an issue.

FWIW.

Ken L.

In spite of all of the advice to the contrary, "S" curves are

not intrinsically bad.  You just need to be careful.  You obviously don't want to put an "S" curve in a "high speed" mainline.  In a yard with low speeds they are fine as long as they are sized for the rolling stock that will use them.  If you have not looked at volume 1 of MRH, check out the article titled "Powerful new curve radius insights for any scale."   It illustrates the problem of curve radius vs car length very well.  It isn't specifically dealing with "S" curves, but it will give you an insight into how cars of various lengths will behave on various curve radii.  If a car of specific length will handle an 18 inch radius (40 foot cars), it will go through a #5 "S" curve.  If you need longer equipment, you need bigger radius "S" curves.  We have some "S" curves going through a "wye" coming out of a staging yard on the modular club set ups.  Typically 85 foot passenger cars have difficulties with anything less than 30", and they like them bigger.  The 40 foot and 50 foot freight cars have no problem with any of the "S" curves in the wye. 

John Armstrong addressed the

John Armstrong addressed the issue of S curves on the first track off a yard ladder by suggesting the first track turnout come off the main instead of the ladder and that turn be a size larger (upper yard ladder in diagram).

The lower yard ladder diagram has no S curve in it.

Charlie