For years, I've happily and sucessfully used Atlas's Right Track Software (RTS). For the last couple of years, I've largely had to put off any kinds of layout design and dreams on hold due to changes in life and jobs. Now I'm back, and soon I'll be moving into a house where I will actually be able to have room where I can start building my first layout. So I grabbed the latest version of RTS.

I was reading the book "Industries Along the Tracks Volume 4" and in Chapter 1 they discuss Coal Gas Plants.  It mentions that because of new fuel sources and technology, such plants began to close starting in the 1950s, since I am modeling 1953, I would beleive many would be in use.

I don't want to over analyze this issue before construction of the Interim P&A Layout, but I am reconsidering the location of the Staging Yard Deck that "feeds" the Upper Deck.  The initial Layou Design has the Deck on the very bottom (15" above the floor) and the Upper Deck begins at 69".  I addressed this issue before in a different thread, but the more I thought about it, and the closer I get to starting actual construction, the more I am starting to question whether this is a good idea or not. 

There are certain areas of the aisle where I need to change the elevation of the floor, in some cases as high as 15" high above the base floor.  Because the elevation changes are in locations that would create tripping/falling hazards if operators do not pay close attention to where the steps are, I do not want to have steps, so I want to slope the floor up and down.  The issue becomes the slope itself and how much elevation can be gained in the least amount of length of aisle.  I know from looking at codes for "ramps" for wheelchair access, etc