Here’s a question, I model - Modern diesels and my yard will be along one wall. It is 24 feet long and has a turn around blob on one end where the track will go down grade to hidden staging below. The track will turn the other corner and go along a second wall. I would like arrival and departure tracks, a large engine servicing area with car shops and caboose stroage. Right now I think this is doable in the space I have. Here’s the question (I bet you were wondering when I would get to it)…anyway. Should the mainline be in front (aisle side) or behind (against the wall). The ladder turnouts will be accessable either way.
The classic lawyer’s answer applies, “It depends”. Some factors to consider when making your decision:
how high is the yard? Will it be operated from a seated or standing position? The reason for these questions boils down to: If the yard tracks are behind the main, how likely are you to catch a train on the main with your shirt sleeve, arm, or elbow when you reach into the yard for some 0-5-0 action? Can you see the cars in the yard you want to switch if train(s) are going by on the main?
How much 0-5-0 action is normally required? How do you couple/uncouple? How do you throw turnouts? Is everything remoted to the fascia or a central control panel (probably worst idea)? Or are you a manual kind of guy who uses skewers to uncouple and ground throws for all turnouts?
What sort of car selection process do you have for making up trains? Do you need to read reporting marks and individual car numbers? Or do you just have one of each car type and color and roadname - meaning a picture is enough to identify a given car? Will any car of the right type do for a train, or do you make specific assignments? What scale is this (I’m assuming HO), and how good is your eyesight for reading lettering at distances of 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft?
How do you like to view your moving trains and locomotives? Up close and personal, savoring every detail on each individual car and/or engine? Or do you prefer to view the train/engine as part of a bigger scene? Do you prefer to observe trains on the main, or the action in the yards?
If you are modeling a specifc yard and the mainline is in front - then do it. Myself, I have the mainline in back of the yard. That way a person switching the yard does not catch a through train with the back of his hand or shirt cuff. Just one less thing to go wrong. The yard ladder is also in front of the operator.
I agree with most others. The main behind the yard would be easier on the yard operators and the engineer running around the yard. When we have the modules at shows I always switch the plant and yard from inside the layout. One reason why there is no back drop on my modules. It is really hard switching while trains are going by in front of you. Another thing is other operators having to work around the yard crews if you have a tethered walk around system.
You can do it either way. If the mainline is just running around the yard, I’d probably put it along the backdrop so trains running past don’t get between operators and the yard tracks they might be switching.
BTW if it’s a double track main, it could be split with one main going on each side. That was done sometimes. That way if say an eastbound freight had to pause to pick up and set out cars at the yard, the other main would still be open for thru traffic.
How does the geometry of the main going into the corner and turning to the other wall look?
I would imagine that having the main on the back wall would make it easier to get around the curve with a larger radius turn than having it in the front.
(I did NOT stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I have been re-reading John Armstrong’s book this week. David is right. It’s a very good way to get smarter about track design.)