Here is what a modern grain elevator looks like.
Where the elevator track is parallel to the main track the truck side should always be on the far side to avoid possible conflicts (and access road blockage). So if you want to have the truck side facing outwards, put the main track between the elevators and the wall. That can actually add visual interest when running a train; it will pass through the scene rather than in front of it.
I agree. There are lots of places on my layout where the structures or scenery partially block the view of the train…
…and just like with real-life railfanning, eagerly snapping that unexpected loco often puts a not-noticed-until-you-see-the-photo telegraph- or power pole in just the wrong place…
Wayne
There is a small grain elevator a few hundred yards from my house. It’s on the CN (former IC) mainline. It’s served by the CN but only receives a few cars a month. A couple years ago they shortened it’s siding to allow more truck loading. They move the cars by pushing them with an endloader on a tractor. It’s served by a southbound local and I’ve never seen a locomotive on the siding in the 17 years I’ve lived here.
You could put a magnet uncoupler just past the frog and shove the cars in or you could uncouple manually before the frog or just past the frog and shove the cars in.
On my new layout, my grain elevator is unlike the real world. Its on a stub track at an angle so you can see both truck unloading and rail side.
I’ve had to make similar decisions several times, since my layout is largely an around-the-walls shelf layout. For me, it works best to position the buildings so the spotted freight cars are on the aisle side of the building, in clear view - after all, I’m building a model railroad, not a model truck diorama.