Cutting Kato curves.....?

At first I thought the left end of the top track, past the crossover, could be a caboose track. Except getting the caboose off the tail of the incoming train (first thing to do), and to that caboose track would not be easy.

If you want to do normal train tear-down and build up, you probably need another track or two on the bottom of the yard. RIP and caboose tracks don't have to be long, but RIP tracks need access alongside the track for equipment (cherry pickers, work trucks, etc.), so it would likely be the bottom track. There would also be a yard office, maintenance shack, etc. that could be at either end of shortened additional tracks for cabeese and RIP (at the lower left of the yard). And then you'll want a road, probably following alongside the yard lead track down the hill, and... enjoy!

 

I put together some ideas for the upper deck, then I realized I am out of storage space on Train board.

Grrr... can't post the image.

I would suggest setting up the main level and running trains there first, just to get an idea of whether or not you like how it works.

 

Here is a new variant, directly inspired from Traingeekboy's suggestion (and thank you by the way)

 

Or this one:

 

The lower is too complex. It does not follow a realistic pattern one would see on an American railway.

 

Maybe a European lower with an American upper then?

 

I'm not sure to which aspects traingeekboy is referring, nor am I versed on European differences from US railroads (other than equipment).

However, I would replace the 15 degree crossing at bottom center with a left #6 switch to access the sidings at lower left, from the single-track that runs around and up to the yard.

That way, you have a double-track mainline loop, and an industry shortline/spur, consisting of the long single track around (and up) the right end, the yard at top center, and the sidings at lower left.

Smaller engines (e.g. a switcher borrowed from the yard) could run short, local trains to service the sidings from the yard, leaving the big, multi-engine consists running long trains on the double track loop and to/from the yard.

This also gives you an opportunity to run different road names on the shortline/spur and mainline, if you want.

On the other hand, it's your railroad, and you get to run whatever trains, however you want, on your railroad!

 

Like this:

 

Yes, that's what I meant. With this arrangement, you can have a long mainline train orbiting the double track loop while you build or tear down trains in the yard, or switch a local freight between yard and sidings, assuming you use DCC or two DC throttles and block control.

 

Well, I like it that way actually......!!!