Greetings. I have been a fairly passive viewer of the forum for a long time and have picked up many great hints and tricks from the postings here. Last year we moved into our forever home with a dry, large (50x24), tall basement that I can use to build the layout that I've always been thinking about. While I can't use all of the basement, I have a lot of flexibility of the size, shape and placement of the layout.
My first crack at the layout is attached as both a JPEG and SCARM file. I am using Gargraves sectional track (since I luckily live only a half hour from them), as well as a combo of Gargraves and Ross switches. Minimum curve is 31" with all of the switches and most of the main line being 42" or greater. All switches in the yard are manual, and all switches on the main are remote and set for non-derailing, so I can run trains up and around the mountain using the two loops with manually controlling the switches. I have several modern engines, including my Lionel Baby K-4 that I just got, that I'm controlling with the Lionchief app (which is working great), as well as some of my original engines from 1956 that I control conventionally. As such, all of the sidings and many sections of track are electrically isolated and can be switched off to store engines and rolling stock.
I've already built and re-built the layout a number of times, and have some thoughts on some improvements to make, but I'm really interested in any advice that anyone may have. My biggest frustration is the yard, because I can't seem to get the storage density I'm looking for. I'm happy with the flow, since I can run the yard completely independently of the main lines, but it just seems I should be able to cram more in...but I can't figure it out. Also, any thoughts on the main section would be welcome. I can bump out almost any portion of the layout in any direction, as long I can reach in three feet.
Thanks in advance for your help and look forward to seeing any comments. Please let me know if there are any questions.
