Elliot, your work on your dispatcher's corner is looking great. Your yards and the extensive yards of others' layouts are impressive and look great.
One thing that I now observe is that a "large layout" can mean different things. I suppose my layout is fairly large as far as overall length, but not as far as trackage. That's because when I designed my layout, I was more focused on grades and scenic design elements rather than rr logistics from the real world yard/interchange/team track etc. operation. Now that I have completed most of my major scenic elements, I have been researching card/waybill operations that might involve a couple of 2 track yards/sidings . Obviously, I might have researched this aspect more carefully while considering my design but again, initially my focus was more of a point to point without extensive yards, leads, and team tracks. I think I can still use a modified card/waybill method to bring interesting if not complicated switching and train building operations to my layout so I don't get board running the same coal/tanker/freight through trains all the time. So, I am curious what operation methodology are you using?
Thanks, it is moving right along. I got most of the paint on yesterday, and by the end of today, I should have the TV's up.
As we spend more time in the hobby, our tastes tend to evolve. This has happened to me. I went from designing track plans with various types of loops and passing sidings using relay control, to actually modeling a specific section of track in the real world.
I like that term "railroad logistics". It really does describe what I consider to be the highest level in this hobby, a model railroad. A couple of years ago, our friend Chugman decided to up his game to operations, and has been reworking parts of his layout to better facilitate this.
My layout won't have a ton of scenery, and 3D structures will be very limited, mostly industries served by the railroads. Yes, railroads, plural. I will have six different railroads represented, four of which will own at least one yard. The operational possibilities are almost endless. The plan is very linear, it follows the track. There won't be things like churches, fire departments or even street scenes.
I'm going to be using the Micro Mark car card and waybill system at least to start. It is possible that I could move to a computer based system at a later date.