08-31-2011, 10:37 AM
You didn't mention what scale you are modeling in. With n-scale or even ho, scale distance from freight cars to loading doors will be closer than your fingers will fit. How you plan to uncouple cars for spotting at your industries will determine spacing from the tracks. As far as how close buildings are to each other, in large cities, whether Los Angeles, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, or NYC, property is at a premium, and an industry will maximize the use of their real estate to the point of even putting the parking lot on the roof, or in the basement. therefore the buildings will often seem to be built side by side with what looks to be common joining walls.