03-25-2014, 09:14 AM
Also, the photo of A yard reminds me of another operating possibility: several LAJ yards are used for storing empty double stack cars. Some are sitting here on an A Yard track -- it sounds like more can be found at C Yard and elsewhere from Freericks's book. So you can include stack cars in your transfers, and essentially treat a yard track as an industry. This would be a reason to work in 4 or more yard tracks, which ought to be possible if you have that 2-foot width. I'd be inclined to use space on a small layout as much as possible for useful trackage, rather than space you're always sort of at a loss to do something else with. As far as double stack wells, of course, a single set of 5 would take up most of one staging track, but there are always single units or triple units. Bare table operations are a vey common feature in the LA area. But stored empty box and centerbeam cars are also common and could certainly be worked into operations, giving you yet more variety. And the centerbeams don't need to be loaded!