Mike, So she still likes the idea of the loop that goes outdoors, I take it. If that is the case, you could use the outdoor loop to reverse trains for the inside part of the layout. How much of the year will you have the outdoor loop operational? Of course I would see you wouldn't use it any time of year when it is raining.
My second thought, before I saw Bob already brought it up, is to try what he said and move a wye to a corner, as much as possible. You can turn engines and do switching in the industrial area. I had thought of doing it on my Blackwater Canyon Line plan, but for me it would take up as much room as the return loops, and I really want to turn trains, not just engines. I think that is really what you wanted to do too. Well, that will work for you when the outdoor section is operational.
