Would it be bad if I copied Dave V's updated trackplan for my own use?

[DKS]

Perhaps I'm envisioning the use of the yard incorrectly, but it seems to me that the crossover at bottom left is to be used for the road locomotives to escape, indicating that the track at left is supposed to be the A/D track.  However, that means that the cut of cars is left on the track at left for the switcher to do its thing.  To switch those cars to the class tracks, though, the cut has to be pulled all of the way back to the mainline.  The tracks should probably also be rearranged so that the road power doesn't have to cross over the tracks that the switcher is using, and so the class tracks are easier to reach from the A/D track.  In other words, it seems that the switcher and the road power are going to be tripping over each other.

If you were planning for the second track from the left to be the A/D track, then you could add capacity by reversing the crossover direction.  This, however, still requires the road locomotives to get in the way of the switcher when headed to the locomotive facility.  I would recommend placing the A/D track immediately adjacent to the locomotive facility, so that the road power can escape without interrupting the switcher's work.

Just some thoughts,
DFF

Yes, I had a feeling I had that crossover reversed. will look at other tweaks, assuming there's interest.

[TiVoPrince]

Still  
surprised that MTH has not attempted to patent circle and oval trackplans.  Cetainly passing sidings, right/left turnouts, wyes and crossings would be profitable since every time you doodled a trackplan they would be billing you a fat ate for each patented element you used.  If you choose not to pay, the lawyers will be along shortly with a cease and desist order...

[davefoxx]

If you choose not to pay, the lawyers will be along shortly with a cease and desist order...

Not this lawyer.   

Now, back to the show.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Really love the design of the yard on this one.

Me too, actually, and I think you all might know how anal I am about such stuff.

That yard setup gives you the basics that you need for this layout.

Stage a train ready to go out on the layout, run it around and service the industries, then bring it back and sort the cars for four destinations (North, South, East, West).

That'll keep you busy for a while.

[davefoxx]

Ed,

Are you looking at this from the perspective of a lone wolf operator or a crew of two or more persons?  If the latter, it would seem to me that the yard should be flipped over, so that the A/D track(s) are adjacent to the locomotive facility, so power can cut off/tack on to the train without fouling the switcher.  Perhaps run the A/D track and runaround diagonally from upper left to lower right in the drawing above with the class tracks branching off to the lower left.  This would make the A/D track longer than the class tracks, but that's probably a good thing, since the train can be built and broken down on the A/D track.  A separate stub for the switcher pocket could possibly fit, too.  In this arrangement, the locomotive facility would stay at upper right.  Whatchathink?

DFF

[MichaelWinicki]

  A separate stub for the switcher pocket could possibly fit, too.  In this arrangement, the locomotive facility would stay at upper right.  Whatchathink?

Good point about the switcher pocket.  I installed one on my yard and it was one of the better things I did– Helps keep things clear.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed,

Are you looking at this from the perspective of a lone wolf operator or a crew of two or more persons?  If the latter, it would seem to me that the yard should be flipped over, so that the A/D track(s) are adjacent to the locomotive facility, so power can cut off/tack on to the train without fouling the switcher.  Perhaps run the A/D track and runaround diagonally from upper left to lower right in the drawing above with the class tracks branching off to the lower left.  This would make the A/D track longer than the class tracks, but that's probably a good thing, since the train can be built and broken down on the A/D track.  A separate stub for the switcher pocket could possibly fit, too.  In this arrangement, the locomotive facility would stay at upper right.  Whatchathink?

DFF

Lone wolf. If you want to have two folks, you'd have to rethink the whole way it works.

[Guilford Guy]

Apologies in advance for the poor proof of concept. I lack a reasonable paint/trackplanning program. To DKS/OP, were you to move the leads into the yard to the center, the ladder could be moved further upwards creating longer tracks with which to stage or assemble trains. I had to slightly rework the crossovers in the town to move the curved leg of the wye to the right a bit more. I figure engine service could be moved to the left side of the 2 lines pictures in the yard, or if there's room, inside the wye. I also imagine the 3rd track through the town could be used as a yard lead when shuffling cars, and not interrupt mainline traffic, however to do this, DKS would have to rearrange the crossovers on the other side so that the mainline is the middle of the 3 tracks and not the forward of the 3.

[DKS]

Here's a version with the AD crossover flipped. I also added a switcher pocket, but I'm not sure if it's in the right place. Also tinkered with the switches on the main along the front to add a bit more versatility, per Alex's recommendation.

[Bsklarski]

That plan is a good one. How would you make the break line to take it apart when it comes time to move it or add to it with out destroying the switches?

Brian