Okay Mark:
Here is my first DRAFT. I have NOT yet looked at your dimensions.
GREAT NEWS! DOORS COMPLETELY UNOBSTRUCTED! MORE THAN SIXTY FEET OF MAIN LINE UN-REPEATED!
The tour of the BCL is as follows...4 to 5 car train departs highest point the Town of Davis at 60 inches on the way down the mountainside toward Blackwater Falls which is painted onto the backdrop. The steady LINE OF GREEN IS AT 60 INCHES. I will complete town of Davis track arrangement with some turnaround alternative for an engine, turntable, wye or reverse loop. Also, there will be a few sidings. You could switch cars on/off there. I really like the idea of a wye track. Not too many people use them. The arrangement would be interesting and serve a critical purpose as well.
As the line CHANGES TO BLUE in color it begins its steep descent thru Blackwater Canyon (pink wall). There are MOUNTAINS PAINTED ONTO THE BACKDROP--OR PHOTO REALISTIC IMAGES OF BLACKWATER CANYON. The first sharp curve (36 diameter) is BIG RUN CULVERT. Many trains derailed there in historical times. Restricted speed is a good idea. After rounding Big Run Culvert over some of the many stone arch supports (SCENIC HIGHLIGHT), the train comes to the lone, but long, passing siding. It's outer curve is a forty-two diameter curve. The track switch (turnout) is flat and level with the track attached to it flat/level at least for a foot. The train continues its steep descent enters a tunnel, goes around a hidden horseshoe curve, and as it emerges from a tunnel the track shortly becomes flat and level at the turnout at the end of this lone passing siding.
The line becomes brown in color at the lowest level. It is now 41 inches from the floor...19 inches less than where it started. It runs behind the Big Run Culvert and emerges out of a tunnel onto a short straight section of track leading into Hendricks. Exactly as with Davis, there will be some turnaround alternative for an engine, turntable, wye or reverse loop. I envision a turntable configuration here as a turntable is a highly impressive feature of any layout! It will be the first thing people see upon entering the layout and since this area is "centered" access to the turntable area is easy. There would only be two or three "spoke" tracks and maybe a custom-built roundhouse--two or three stall--very small--maybe. This would be a scenic highlight. I would add a few spurs as well.
There will be STAGING DRAWERS at both Davis and Hendricks.
I may add a short spur inside the passing siding to drop off or pick up some flats to transport logs. I think the coal should be "off stage" with coal loads passing through. However, both towns will need coal for power and to replenish. Both towns should have water tanks as well. I would buy HO scale water tanks. These give the illusion but do NOT overwhelm a small layout.
I will wait for your feedback. Just FYI: The curves are 36 diameter. An 0-4-0 and 44 tonner would fit like a glove and work great. I picture old time, older era 40 foot boxcars, hoppers and flats being pulled in small strings. Buy a "Bobber" caboose or two! :-) Ideal and interesting.
The spacing of the track from the walls are 3 inches. On the pink wall the 1st track is three inches from the wall. The second is 6 inches further in, the third is four inches in. Your spacing on the passing siding is 4 inches. With short cars, it will work fine and look awesome! I left six inches between the highest track and the second track so you could use screen wire, foam, paper mache, whatever to build canyon side rocks with grass and weeds growing out of the rocks. There are tons of actual canyon photos.
Your Aisle Ways will be 36" wide minimum. You will have two ACCESS POINTS as the track in the rear will need to be installed, and maintained. Your main line has two turnouts which will minimize your issues. You will easily be able to walk up to either turnout to maintain it.
This track arrangement maximizes the space and provides exceptional alternatives for exceptionally interesting and dynamic scenery.
You will have to let know what you would like to see in Hendricks and Davis.
PS: The track looks like a spaghetti bowl, but it's not. The track is at different levels and using scenery as scene dividers will give the illusion that the train is traveling from point to point and not circling, because it isn't.
NOVEL OVER.
