When I designed my current layout, I allowed space for the 164 log loader, 97 coal loader and 165 magnetic crane. The more time passed, the more I didn't like the fact that they take up so much space--especially the 97 and 164. I thought about it some more, and considered how little the accessories would be used, so with the help of my friend Ray, I decided to eliminate them and use the area for a 4-track yard. I'm going to keep the 165 crane on the layout, but that takes up a lot less space and can be used on a curve, unlike most of the operating accessories.
In the end, sidings were a much better use of the space for my purposes. The goal for my layout is running trains, so keeping 4 additional trains on the layout ready for action ended up being more important than 2 accessories I would rarely use.
John
