Freelance 2014-2

[jwb]

I wouldn't be too squeamish about what you call the yard. Remember that you can issue multiple "employee timetables" giving locations different names -- it's your layout. As far as industries, I think there are a couple of ideas right here, City Fibers (still rail served) and the Grayn Company (also rail served, and could be located on one of your curves, worked in one session, not in another). If you want a modern industry, you have Mobil Lubricants, which is served by BNSF and I think also from LAJ on the east end. But here's an oil loading platform at Watson Yard in the Harbor area (other end of the Harbor Sub):

   

There are a number of other tank car industries in the Vernon area, a Cargill facility off the joint LAJ-UP track to the northwest (apparently this is going to close, but is post 2005). Darling International on the BNSF. You could have a team track/transload that would be a combination of the Ancon/BNSF facility and the LAJ facilities at Fruitland. But I don't see why you would need to put long industries on your back wall -- have two, served by two spurs reached via crossings.

Here's a shot into A Yard:

   

Note the BNSF GEs laying over. Other BNSF power lays over on he lead into C Yard:

   

There's scope for doing more than just switching industries.

It also occurs to me that there are in fact changes in level on the LAJ:

   

A scenic treatment like this would increase the apparent size of the layout.