Dave,
I agree that planning for it now is key, if I am ever going to do it. I know I will be working in the train room only for a while, so I would never get to that yard until after I retire, which could be the end of next year, or later. Yes, with the 042 switches the shortest track is mighty short. I could go the whole way to 027 switches if I was to use switcher engines only, like my 0-4-0 or my SW-9. That would make the tracks a little longer.
One thing too is that the height of the window is way too low for the yard table. The 46 inches window sill is barely high enough to clear the control panel of the washer and dryer. My wife and I each do about half the wash. Whoever sees it needs done, does it. However, if I make it too awkward to get to the controls, I'll be doing all the wash myself and being mad at myself for having to be a contortionist to do it. The the track height at the upper level would have to be at least 50 inches. I have had layouts that high before, but didn't want to go that high this time. Always compromises!!
I'll fiddle around with this some more; I don't feel very good today, not wanting to do some work outside I wanted to.
Thank you for your observations!
