Mark: You have really been thinking and testing all of this out. Very smart. You are way ahead of the game in planning how you are going to access areas for future issues. You never know what will happen next.
I just had a crazy thing happen two days back. Connie's new 4-8-4 stalls and dies and 1 24 inch curve of track, where everything else runs perfectly. It is an area that has a "dead" rail to automatically activate crossing signals. I also have two blocks "meet" in the "dead" rail area. Apparently, the electrical pickups on Connie's monster engine are set just perfectly that it loses contact. Thank God I didn't start cutting wires.
Anyway, I must change my electrical division just slightly to keep the monster 4-8-4 going! It is always something. :-)
You have a very good theme and plan for the Blackwater Canyon Line going. You are going to have a truly great layout in an average space. It can be done. Many people say they don't have room, but there is always something you can do. Your railroad will be another example. Work on the daughter to provide you with some STELLAR back-drops! :-)
