The wife actually really likes the Kato track we have for N scale. We’re still shuffling around the EZ track on the table playing with plans. Not sure if I’d make a permanent layout out of the roadbed style track but it makes the planning stages easier.
This is a very good track plan for that small space. Well done. The way that it could be operated and scenicked like a warehouse district, and with continuous running, is very innovative, IMO.
Although not ideal, I would live with the S curves. Your loco and cars should be short. Just operate slowly, with couplers that are consistent from car to car and perform well.
Since you’d be using sectional track. You could always simply lay out the track loosely and operate it like that to be sure the S curves are no problem.
A thought: If you placed a short straight track at 9 oclock and 3 oclock, that would shove the S curve turnouts closer to the edges, thereby shortening the angled track and shoving the turnouts closer to their mates to align (for example, the North side turnout up and to the left. ) Making that shove would force a short straight track to be placed in such a way that it lessens the S curve effect.
You may force the yard tracks on the South side closer to the edge.
This is based on spacial-recognition-by-eyeball, not CAD planning software, LOL.
We keep going back to this plan after looking / fiddling with others. This current plan has the most amount of “action” in this small of a footprint but the S curves are the only bad part. Adding the small straight pieces as suggested may be the key to this working halfway decently.
The other layout that may be second to this currently is a 18 radius oval outside of a 15 radius oval with a few spurs inside. Simliar to Speedys suggestion with a full loop instead of just a passing setup.
You may be happier with one outside loop with no S curves, and most of the siding action inside the main loop. Note you also get 22" radius easements in that outer loop. These will m an important difference to how the trains running on the outside loop look. Even quite short easements make a big difference.
You can then run trains around the outside and use the inside loop and sidings for interest while the main train gets to where it’s going.
I try to avoid a mainline that needs to take a turn on a turnout. Turnouts are the main cause of derailments. With that space, I would follow the KISS principle, especially given that you want space for buildings (and perhaps streets). I would aim for two sidings inside the loop (and consider reach if you are placing the layout against a wall), and one additional siding outside the loop to store an additional loco.
Anyway, that’s my [2c] worth.
Simon
For a simpler trackplan with no S curves, OP could use Atlas 542 or 543 snap switches in place of curves. They are 22 inch radius on the inside but you could mix in 18 inch and 15 inch radius track to make sort of a parabolic curve that would also fit in the 3.5 foot depth.
Or place the switches on the straight at an angle for the inside spurs.