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Walt, Looks like you may have some issues. I'm a manual turnout guy but I see your need for quick acting electric switching machines. Hopefully someone will be able to lead you in the right direction.
As for the little loco remember that Z scale may have a workable DCC chip to fit in there.
Since this in N scale, would not a Shay be a better loco? Jim
Don't really know. I have no real knowledge about locos. All I know is the shorter the better. And that MDT was the shortest I could find.
I'll check out the Shay.
[EDIT]
Looks like they are all pretty long. I assume the tender can be removed, but even so, all the pix I saw were longer than the MDT. That would cut the number of cars to 2 per trip.
What a great thread ! I finally after 30 or so years of saying I was going to build a layout started one in Oct and this thread has been a wealth of information for me. It has helped answer numerous questions and has gotten me through a lot of trial and error, as I am sure everyone jumping in with both feet and minimal knowledge has. Thanks !!!
Stoker, I like that plan. It is pretty much adaptable to all types of terrain. I've sailed by boat all over the west coast of Mexico and have seen some 'real' examples of Isla de Caldera. Have fun with this. Jim
Stoker - I like your plan and the way it flows, also the way that you can get by with only four turnouts. I also noticed that your room size is 11'x11', which is just fine, even good, but the layout size is a walk around of 78"x96". That only gives a total of three feet or combined total of 18" on both ends. Is that going to be enough room to walk around? Just asking. I do like the flow and the scenery possibilities. - Chris
Stoker, Chris has a good point. No way I can make it through 18" anymore. This layout looks easy to make more 'square' like your diagram than rectangular. What happens with narrow passageways is after awhile you just don't want to squeeze in anymore. Same with 'duckunders' another dream wrecker. Just some thoughts. Jim
Jim, beautiful, well done. You really did do a great job. Okay, you have to tell me, are they made from straws or copper tubing? And the stenciling on the side, stencil paper or dry transfer - great. - Chris
Chris, I'm not taking any credit for the pipe load. I went to the LHS and looked to see what they had. This is from JWD Premium Products who imports from DUHA in the Czech Republic. The pipes are straws and must be pad printed then sprayed with an airbrush. They look pretty good and are not cheap! Jim
I was looking at the photo above about the pipe load. It's okay. I gets the point brought up about loads answered and that is good. I noticed that while I answered a question there was more that could be done with this general scene.
Lighting. Maybe something in the engine house. Some creativity. So let's check this photo out.
Basically this photo tells a bit more about model railroading. Lighting was provided by two small flashlights shining through the engine house windows. Camera about 2.5 inches from the dock. Most of our photos can be improved and tell a more 'dramatic' story if we let them. Jim
Jim, I see your point about the second picture having more scenic elements in the photo, BUT, for the first timer to your thread the original first photo is still pretty inspiring. We have seen the engine house a dozen times, but you still have a very clear shot of the vertical logs on the side of the wharf, the coils of rope on the dock, the derrick crane and of course the famous engine house. Although I really do like what you did with the light coming through the windows and the engine being in the building. Maybe someone working on the engine.- Chris
A little critique here Jim. (me being the great photo artist that is ). The light that's shining on the window jamb behind the engine gives the impression of late afternoon sunlight at a low angle, therefore there should be more shadow on the dock and the engine shed wall (and the pipes etc). Maybe a yellow filter or yellow cellophane on the torch lens?
If this is to represent a morning lighted scene the window jamb reflection needs dulling?
RR, Of course getting one of those flashing welding lights would be cool as would a couple of hanging lamps. While they may make a nighttime photo look cool my layout is viewed mostly by me and visitors in the day time. Layouts last so little time in my rooom that these lighting issues on the very last on my priority list. I may light the engine house yet. I actually have a lighting wire that only need lights to be hooked up to it and plugged in already hooked up. Somehow my back makes motivation difficult these days. Jim
Chris, When I moved the pier, tipple and engine house scene I lost the figure that was at the junk in front of the engine house. Probably got vacuumed up. You are correct a figure would add interest to the photo.
Toot, Good advice coming from someone who lives south of the equator! Are you sure your comments are upside down? Points are good however and should be remembered by me and others reading this.
Now if I was to take a photo that I may want to submit to "Trackside Photos" at Model Railroader Magazine you can be assured more effort would have been put into such a photo. Something like this oldie:
Took two days but caught up to this thread. I was hoping I would be in time for the layout remodel, but I made it by a couple months. I like the layout and photos. I've learned a lot.
I'm about to move across the country so my layout is in the air, but I always had a hankering to run 1890's steam through the redwoods. The locos are just over two inches tall; the trees will be 24 to 36 inches. Your scenery techniques have been a great help in my planning process.
Hey Toot, It's some what unnerving to look over to the left and see this new Toot character. Is this some kind of ferry boat captain or Boston whaler? Or I guess Aussie whaler. - Chris
). The light that's shining on the window jamb behind the engine gives the impression of late afternoon sunlight at a low angle, therefore there should be more shadow on the dock and the engine shed wall (and the pipes etc). Maybe a yellow filter or yellow cellophane on the torch lens?
Points are good however and should be remembered by me and others reading this. 
