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I finally got a track plan drawn up today!
Here is some details about my future layout:
Prototype: Union Pacific somewhere in Colorado
Scale: HO (1:87.1)
Plan size (Dimensions): 9'-2" x 14'
Minimum radius: 24"
Era: 1940's-1950's
Industries: Saw mill and lumber yard.
Track: Flex Track with cork road bed
And if anyone would be willing to draw up the plan on a track drawing software that would be very helpful! (I tried the software but couldn't really figure out how to use it haha.)
Below is the track plan that I drew (click on the image to make it bigger), tell me what you think and/or suggestions that you have, I would like to hear them!! View attachment 27391
Oh and I forgot a few things haha. The dark blue around the outside is the benchwork, the black is the main line, and the redish orange is off the main line so like spurs and yards, etc.
I can't really see how you intend to do the switching. Not that I see a problem, I just don't know what I'm looking at. It seems to be a good mix of switching/mainline, though I think I'd put the yard at the bottom closer to where I could easily get at it (I assume that's the wall/backdrop side).
Also, I see some space at the top left where you could put additional sidings etc if you wanted.
Looks like a good start though. Have you given any thought to how you want the scenery to go in? Rivers, hills, etc? What I'm doing with mine is developing scenes, taking things I like from pics on here or stuff I've seen 1:1, and then sort of working it together. I can't say how well it works though because I haven't really started yet.
One thing to consider is that the turnouts will occupy a lot more space than you've drawn them. This is especially true for the siding and the two parallel tracks along the bottom edge. On an actual turnout, the diverging route will not make such a large angle, so the whole turnout will be longer than you've shown.
You have drawn something like this:
But an actual turnout, even a low-numbered one, is more like this:
As you can see, an actual turnout is longer and more gradual than some of the ones you have drawn.
In summary, turnouts can eat up space! You just need to be aware of this because it affects how long your sidings and yard tracks can be.
By the way, this is one place where track planning software really helps by displaying an accurate geometry for turnouts.
24" Radius
#6 mainline switches
#5 industry and yard switches
Since your modeling Colorado, you must have a mountain!
So there's a coal mine tucked into the mountain.
A power plant to receive the coal loads.
A nice big yard and turntable.
The grade up and over the other tracks is a 2% grade. You can get the Woodland Scenic's risers that make it easy to install the grade. You will need a 3" clearance for the bridge.
Not a bad drawing there Michael, but unless he's gonna run only one train, he's gonna need more than one passing siding.
I would add one on the track on the back wall, about halfway up as the track rises, giving him the need for a double track bridge, and end the siding shortly after. This will make his operations a little more interesting.
I can't speak to the operational aspect, but it looks like you might be getting into a tight spot by the power plant. You'll have an elevated track running between the front of the layout and the plant. If you have any scenery at all along the upper track, you'll be reaching up and over trees, etc. to reach the turnouts & sidings along the back wall. And that second passing siding you added is on a 2% grade, so you'll have trouble if you ever intend to leave a cut of cars on it.
I'd lose the turntable. Lots of beginners think they're really neat but what they are is a space eater. I'd put in a one or two stall engine house, and something else to switch, and I'd take the yard track closest to the town, shift it parallel to the road, and use it to switch an industry there, like a freight house or warehouse or other business, or even two businesses depending on how much room you have. Just my thoughts.
But it adds operational interest, they're fun to operate. And he can also run trains in both directions, since there is no room for a wye or reverse loop.
You don't want to be able to turn your locos around and run trains in the opposite direction?
You don't have to have all the industries modeled on the layout, for all the cars you have. That would be impossible. I have many cars on my layout that I don't have industries for. That's what we call "off the layout to other parts of the railroad".
Here's another update, I adjusted the turntable track up, for better use of the yard tracks.
He could use the ol' 0-5-0 switcher (pick it up, turn it around, set it back down) to turn his locos. Or if you need to run a train in the opposite direction, then stage another engine in the yard facing the other direction and do a power swap.
I concur that a turntable occupies a lot of real estate that could be otherwise dedicated to another industry to serve.
I was thinking that the new track to the warehouse could continue through town and connect to the tracks coming out of the yard just before going under the bridge. This will create a reversing loop so the turn table may not be needed and add another path around the lay-out for operating interest.
I was thinking that the new track to the warehouse could continue through town and connect to the tracks coming out of the yard just before going under the bridge. This will create a reversing loop so the turn table may not be needed and add another path around the lay-out for operating interest.
I was going to suggest that rather than having the upper siding start along the back to move it so it starts just beyond the bridge and ties back into the mainline on the curve as it curves toward the Coal plant. To me this would give more separation to the passing sidings and possibly enhance operation.
Also by moving the upper passing siding off the back wall area it will open up that area and make it less crowded.
What do you think?
Actually I like the addition of the new warehouse siding which can also act a passing tract too.
Have you given any thought to how you want the scenery to go in? Rivers, hills, etc? What I'm doing with mine is developing scenes, taking things I like from pics on here or stuff I've seen 1:1, and then sort of working it together. I can't say how well it works though because I haven't really started yet. 
