Stein's Minneapolis Warehouse district 1957 (HO)

[steinjr]

Well, it is a trade off between
1. a level three track yard with a small 0.5" step to the barge terminal
or
2. three tracks going uphill not to be used for storing cars but a beautiful step of 1" to the barge terminal
Did I get that right?

Not totally. Choices are

1. A level three track yard at elevation 0.5" with a small 0.5 step to the barge terminal
or
2. Two level staging tracks at level 0.5" elevation along wall, main on raised 1" embankment between staging tracks and barge terminal
or
3. Let all three yard track rise around lower left hand corner, yard level at 1" along most of lower wall

So the main casualty of letting the main rise higher is that I either (if only main rises and the two tracks closes to the wall stay at elevation 0.5") lose the crossover at the right end of the main, just before the bridge, which costs me in operational capability, or (if all three tracks rises around lower left corner) get shorter yard tracks.

I would clearly prefer the additional three track yard (a) at the wall. That is a real asset to be protected for additional operating.
The higher step seams to look better but that problem can be be solved or relieved by a very strong and visible step. e.g. a thick and robust concrete wall with a fancy brick top and forged handrail as it may have been build 75 years ago.

That's a good point - make it visually higher without it actually being higher.

Smile,
Stein