Chuck, that's a good example. One difference is you're using Atlas track and their 1/2 O72 curve to end up straight, nothing to cut, nothing to waste. However, since I had nothing better to do today and my wife was out, I worked up 2 new versions using curved switches and some numbered switches.
Length of Blue track went from 548.34" to 521.61" to 518.1
Length of Orange track went from 413.91" to 405.63" to 418.02"
Length of Green track went from 664.12" to 644.52" to 652.99"
Overall length of track went from 1626.38" to 1571.68" to 1589.81"
Number of cuts went from 14 to 21 to 26
Now, I don't know what to make of the numbers, if anything, and I'm sure some tweaking would change things, but I tried to keep the designs as close to the same as I could. I doubt anyone would notice the difference in sizes during operations. For me, adding the curved switch to the Blue line eliminates the capability to use the Blue turnouts as a passing siding or temporary storage for large engines.
If this were my layout, I'd probably try a double crossover, something like this. It lets one use the Blue route as a passing siding or storage for a 2nd large train. If I wanted to add some buildings, I'd remove the Purple spurs to make room. After looking at the version with numbered switches, I'm not sure how well they'd work, but I'd try them. The one place I can see value in a curved switch is in one or both of the Orange curves coming out of the double crossover.
