He probably wasn’t a dispatcher. Having ONE train longer than your longest siding isn’t a problem. Having multiple trains in the same direction longer than your longest siding isn’t a problem. Having OPPOSING trains longer than your longest siding, that’s going to be a problem.
Do you know what a double saw by is?
Things to consider for your next layout.
Put a backdrop/divider down the middle of the layout to break the layout into two or more scenes.
Put roads and lines of buildings at an angle to the tracks. (angles are more visually interesting.)
Don’t put tracks exactly parallel to the edge of the benchwork if you can avoid it (angles are more visually interesting.)
Put bends in tracks and roads, it looks more realistic (unless you are modeling Kansas).
Use flex track to get closer track spacing and more “natural” track lines.
Vary the elevation of the scenery, some parts higher than the track, some parts lower.
Plant trees in odd numbered clumps.
[(-D][bow][(-D]
An old friend from the train club said that your wife should never see the engine catch the caboose. I have over 750 cars and made sure the loco can’t get near the caboose, each one of my 2 mains are over 250 feet each. I have 10 yard tracks that are 42 feet long and 3 ready tracks 65 feet long so no worries here. Great pic of your layout, we all started here just like you and it takes a lot of time and money to get to where your dream layout is going to be. It took me about 30 years and I’m still building. Never lose that dream, it’s a learning experiance and never stop asking questions. Good luck, Jim.
Thank you all for your words of wisdom.