Need some semi-urgent photo help... Interchanges

[Black Diamond]

Make it bigger and add a mountain with a tunnel  ;D

When are you coming over to do some work? I forgetted.

[3rdrail]

I assume the darker triple track is the short line and the single/double track is the mainline. How does the short line engine run around its train? Also, why three tracks? Is it supposed to be a yard? The AN and CSXT interchanged four trains a day using only two tracks, plus the CSXT main.

[wm3798]

Who was that masked man!?!  Black Diamond!  (sound of hoof beats riding off into the night)

Welcome back, oh masked rider of the plains...

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've decided to simplify it a touch:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The shortline runaround would be accomplished with a crossover up further the line (at the end of the siding). I think I may add enough clearance between the turnout and the mainline track too, now that I think about it, so the shortline engine wouldn't have to foul the main to "escape".

[amato1969]

[EDIT]

Doh, just saw your latest.   :-[  Looks like a much better use of the space.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, I did a bunch of work on this tonight. The next step is going to be soldering all the joints together.
I've found that the long interchange track will hold 5 cylindrical hoppers, and the short one three cars.

This should be a nice busy place on the layout.

It also has plenty of room for scenery.