NY&A themed layout that needs help

[FCIN]

Cramming things in is definitely a route to disappointment - all track ,and no room for anything between tracks, and constant de-railing is almost guaranteed. But rule #1 = it is your railway

Right! Especially for a small layout area. Less is more. Just looking at the area upon which you are basing your plan, there is plenty of switching that can be done with just modeling the four tracks in the area. You have no less than 8 industries on those three industry tracks, with 5 separate industries in that one long warehouse. You could also use the end of the track next to the warehouse track as a team track to handle the odd shipment of lumber or whatever. Here is another view of the area at Grand Ave you picked, showing the industries, products and car types they get:     A plan based just on the prototype track arrangement, and with an ample switching lead to the right, would certainly be interesting. But I'd try to work in broader curves, if possible. It would probably take a good hour to switch all the industries and you'd have more room for the structures and scenery. The more I look at this area, the more I like it. Here's my quickly thrown together plan idea, which no doubt needs refinement. Minimum curve radius - 24 inches with one Peco SL-87 LH Curved Turnout required:     With only three turnouts and a few sections of flex track needed, you could have this in operation in a short time. Then spend some enjoyable time building the structures and adding scenery.

Just my two cents worth (before taxes).