Looking for a design

With only a 16' wide shelf, it's going to be near impossible to have more than four parallel tracks and maintain adequate spacing between the tracks to fix problems that arise.  Recommended spacing is at least 2" between tracks (and most recommend at least 2.5") which uses up 6" of width (3x2") not counting the space needed on the outside edges for clearance / safety.

I would recommend starting your yard ladder as soon as you enter the 16" width with one left and then 2 right hand switches.  When you hit the required curve leading to the "back stretch", you can insert another left hand curve switch (an O72 left-hand) into the curve closest to the wall so that the straight leg creates your 4th yard track (if possible!!).

As for a "run-around" track, just put a crossover into either the two tracks closest to the front edge or the two tracks closest to the back edge.  My recommendation would be to use the front edge (again, to make fix issues easier to reach) and make sure the tail track is long enough to handle your biggest engine.

I must confess that my starting point suggestion means you may foul the wye operation to sort cars in the yard, but it gives you the longest three storage tracks in the yard since you can't use the fourth if it is to be a true escape track for you engine(s).

Chuck

@PRR1950

Thanks

The parallel tracks can be closer together, because there’s no concern about getting anything between them.
as long as the cars clear each other that’s all that matters to me.

So you have no plan for the quad turnout or the double slip switch?

That leg of the Y continues through the other end of the Y and feeds a reversing loop…and there are a few stub end tracks with in that loop

And using that Y is a factor in building consists from that yard…so it’s not a problem “fouling it”

But if you have a design idea

please post it

it may show a concept that makes the operating better  

thanks

So,  I designed this

thoughts

https://youtube.com/shorts/xN7TmQVJq0s?feature=share

Hi, It looks like you will be able to 4-track yard switch will work out nicely,

I have a 36" 10 track yard, the track spacing is 3.5" center to center.  I would NOT recommend less than 3.5", that's about as close as you can reasonably space them and still be able to manipulate cars on all the tracks.

Hey John, would you please post a more side 3/4 view of your yard. Thanks

@ironman1 posted:

Hey John, would you please post a more side 3/4 view of your yard. Thanks

Like this?

Close. I’ve gotta run. I attached a teaser of what I was talking to you about. It’s a real quick throw together. To give you an idea.

Joe

@ironman1 posted:

Close. I’ve gotta run. I attached a teaser of what I was talking to you about. It’s a real quick throw together. To give you an idea.

That's very cool!

Hi John, if possible, please post a couple photos in between the first & second. Maybe one from the other end. Thanks

Now I am really confused looking at the posters.  I assume @ironman1 did a little photoshop on @gunrunnerjohn 's yard. Wow,  GRJ when are you going to pull all that together? as I recall, you have not started detailing the layout as yet.

@ScoutingDad posted:

Now I am really confused looking at the posters.  I assume @ironman1 did a little photoshop on @gunrunnerjohn 's yard. Wow,  GRJ when are you going to pull all that together? as I recall, you have not started detailing the layout as yet.

Good observation!  😄

When I first saw photos of John’s yard I wished I had the space. His photos prompted the idea to add some industries to that beautiful blank wall. He mentioned adding shelves for train display & I suggested creating something.
Here’s another photoshop composition using  John’s yard as a sample for a background I’m creating for my railroad. As much as I love dimensional flats for a background, they still need some depth & take a lot of time to create. This you can hang in a couple hours, even less if hung with thumb tacks & presto, instant industries. If it comes out as I hope I may offer copies in all scales.

Forgot the picture!

That's a fantastic look!

Thanks John! I’m 95% finished with the buildings. A little more clean up. I’ve been working on the sky most recently, trying to remove the shadows created from Norms photos, due to lighting. While it will take a little time to hang the background on your wall, it’ll only be a fraction of effort compared to building all those building flats!

@ironman1 posted:

While it will take a little time to hang the background on your wall, it’ll only be a fraction of effort compared to building all those building flats!

Not to mention anything thicker than heavy paper would probably not fit, the track is pretty close to the wall.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Not to mention anything thicker than heavy paper would probably not fit, the track is pretty close to the wall.

I thought that was you're yard with new backdrop pictures.    I'm sure you've thought about sliding some hardboard with pictures attached down that wall.

it would be a heavy grade paper or vinyl. Looking into those options.

There will be something on the wall, probably vinyl would be the most durable.

Not sure how vinyl will mount unless it's just hung with thumb tacks. I've had a heavy weight paper hanging just taped at the top & bottom for 20 years.

Hi John,

My last banner was a 120"x24" on 10 mil vinyl. I mounted it on 1/4" foam insulation lightly sprayed with heavy spray mount. That worked out fine. What would the demension of your wall be?

Joe

The wall is 144 3/4" long, just a bit over 12 feet.  The height from the table to the crown molding is 46".

We’ll, I think I’m done playing around with John’s yard. Based on his photos, I’ve  determined the the wall & yard to be a little over 12 feet long, using the Hogwarts Express coaches for my estimate. My existing artwork measures over 20 feet in length & 3 feet in height, for O scale/gauge. I’ve chosen a section & wrapped the art around John’s photo, compressing, skewing & distorting to look more or less convincing. I spent more time than makes sense composing the photo, but curiosity got the best of me. The white area to the right is the wall below layout height.

BTW, the background was created from layout photos of well know forum member, Norm Charbonneau, if no one already guessed, with his permission & blessing. I’ve been in awe of Norm’s work for I guess the last 20 years, as I’m sure many here have been. His layout is second to none & I hope my efforts will satisfy his critical eye, when he receives the first proof. Hopefully within 2-3 weeks.

@1drummer posted:

So,  I designed this

thoughts

https://youtube.com/shorts/xN7TmQVJq0s?feature=share

Drummer, so back to your video, I am not sure how much of the layout is being redesigned.  Are you just redesigning the yard for an extra track and the runaround track, or is there more to this?

@Mark Boyce posted:

Drummer, so back to your video, I am not sure how much of the layout is being redesigned.  Are you just redesigning the yard for an extra track and the runaround track, or is there more to this?

Just the part in the OP

the video is just showing the design I came up with

Thank you