Are you going to use the two turn tables?

If you are, I would say pick out what you want to model from the prototype, and go for it.  I'm presuming that there would be yards at each end or at least run arounds to allow you to position the caboose at the other end of the train and move the locomotives to the correct end once turned, presuming that it is a steam operation.  If it was diesel, they might just hook them back to back, reposition the caboose for the return trip and run around to the other end of the train and the crew moves to the now lead locomotive.

I'm not much of a layout

I'm not much of a layout design guy, my forte is more in the scenery and electronics end but I'm going to take this opportunity to recommend SCARM which is free layout planning software. I got absolutely nowhere with track planning software till I discovered it. It's very intuitive and easy to use even if you are not good with planning software. If I can do it, anyone can.

Michael

Russ, thanks for the

Russ, thanks for the reply. No I am not planing any turntables. The route would have been diesels by my time frame. I may use a reverse loop at one end and a wye at the other. This of course if I have room. I could change my mind on the turntables if I could build something that worked well. I am not interested in a diorama,I want something that would allow me to run trains,but represent the location I am interested in. My current layout is two 3x3 squares with a 6x2 section in between. 

michael, thanks for the

michael, thanks for the input. Does scarm have a web site?

Unless you want to have continuous running capability,

I would suggest a small yard with an engine escape and a run around track at each end and then pick what you want to model in between.  The other possibility is if the line didn't have a yard at each end, model what they did have.  It sounds like a railroad that someone from the Michigan area would be familiar with, but pretty obscure to anyone out side of Michigan or the upper Midwest.

SCARM Website

http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html

Didn't know about SCARM

Ken, thanks for the referral!

I've used other free track planners all with minimal success.  This looks to be a bit more intuitive so (hopefully) I'll be able to figure out how to use it.

JohnCharles, I'm in the same boat as you: minimal space and big plans, not to mention I model in HO so space is even tighter.  I'm finding that the less I worry about running long trains (an item that was initially on my list of "Givens") and the more I focus on my first love - switching, but don't tell my fiance - the more I'm able to visualize how the mainline will run and what industries to place.  The point I'm trying to make is pick what you want to get out of the layout first and foremost, e.g. switching, long runs, local runs, etc.  The rest will flow from there.

Good luck!

-John

SCARM

I see someone gave a link. Good! The thing about SCARM that I like is that the flex track tool is the easiest to use I've ever seen and the rest just seems to be a lot more intuitive.

Also, a great place for ideas is Byron Henderson's  layout design service site. His ideas on layout design are interesting reading and the layout gallery is full of example layouts and ideas. Of course if you want to spend the dough...he will design one for you! I wish I could have him do one for me....maybe someday!

http://www.layoutvision.com

Michael

Concept

Just so you frame the concept.  It is not two industries with the main line between them, it is two terminals with the main line between them and there are two industries on the main line.  Different conceptual approach.

I would make a loop around the benchwork with 3-4 staging tracks along the back, hidden behind a low backdrop.  I would then put the paper mill and gypsum plant in the foreground.  Operation would be running a local from one terminal to the other, from staging to staging, working the industries as required.  The next session I would reverse the direction of the local and work the industries going the other direction. 

The rest of the operation would be several through freights or passenger trains that the local has to dodge, with maybe the freight making a set out or pick up. 

If one were clever one could put in a reversing loop  through the backdrop and hide it a part of one of the plants' trackage to make turning trains between sessions easier.