Tonight, I randomly set up the main line track through my future yard. My layout has a San Luis Obispo theme, so naturally the SLO yard might be a good prototype. There's not much to the real yard, just two passing tracks and a helper track. Here is the little 8' section I have to work with: It looks like I have room for the station out front, the main line and a passing track, and three additional tracks before I run out of space. I tried to find a more dramatic pic of the SLO station area (there are many out there in google land) but most are copyrighted by the railfans who took them. It's a beautiful place. There is an incredible pedestrian bridge at the far end going over the tracks, palm trees everywhere, an old water tower, santa-fe style light fixtures, etc. Anyhow, enough rambling. Maybe I'll end up capturing the feel of the SLO station some day.
I think that the SLO model could be done very well in that area. The station will be what everyone recognizes; that is where most people (not railfans) saw trains. Looks like a good start.
FD: It looks like you have plenty of space to model that station. It should look nice when you're finished with it. Stay cool and run steam.....
jeff, looking good! you've got plenty of space to make a great station. can't wait to see some more progress pics