John,
Check out Susan Deat's Bridges.
Any moveable bridge will affect operations, You can see to operate your layout from either opening. Since you live in western Pennyslvania you'll find that there are plenty of engineers, brakemen, and conductors to operate the trains with you.
To men, a layout this size means operations:
- Through freight and passenger trains;
- Local passenger trains;
- Way freights and industries from them to serve;
- Yard operations; and
- Station operations.
But you'll also want continous operations to keep you company while you work on various activities of this hobby.
This hobby can be as simple as running a train in circles to realistic railroad enterprise. Your decisions now on what you want will determine where you go from here, The Forum is here to help and confuse you.
Jan