Locomotive Facility and having troubles making up my mind.

I usually hate when I can't make up my mind. In this case it is turntable versus straight diesel facility. Certain structures I already have so I must try to incorporate them. I also wanted to have all turnouts in the right position so even if I changed my mind, I would not have to redo a control panel. 

So I came up with a plan that on the right hand side (#1) would stay the same no matter what. This would keep my control panel the same. I would start with just tracks for engines that matched up with the track spacing for #1. It would be the cheapest and easiest way to start. 

If I decided to go with the turntable (sized for Walthers 130' or 90’ table), I would just have to remove the track labeled with #2 and put the turntable in place and curve the tracks to match up with existing track.(Much more costly and I have a chance to see how bad I want that turntable, before putting out the bucks.
This plan gives me a car repair shop and spots for diesel fuel, coal and sand deliveries. 

If I go with no turntable the turnout of the yard lead can be used for an incoming north bound engines to hide while being serviced. If I go with the turntable, there would be easy entrance from both the north and south end of the yard.

Rigby

10 of 12 tracks are in for Rigby. The last two will come when I get a PECO curved turnout in the mail. In the foreground the track not finished will be for the Portland Terminal branch. This will have a swing gate that will only be closed when needed.
All of these turnouts are the newer Walthers turnouts and one PECO. They all have a spring to hold the turnout in place. The good news on this is that I can operate them without tortoises for now. The holes for the throw has been drilled for each turnout. 

It is time to go back and wire all of the area and Portland Yard. Then start testing of all the trackage. 

Now there is more than enough track laid down to support operations, with 21 staging tracks, two yards and four other towns.

Southern Staging

Now that my Covid is done, I can get going again on the layout. This 8' section and the piece on the flour will hold 12 staging tracks. These will get wired first because both sections will have to slide under that one loop section in the background. I just won't be able to do major work on this area once in place. Luckily only the back five feet will be under this area. Once this part is in I can work on the yard throat area and connecting everything up.

Main Yard Updates and Turnout Motor installation

The hard part today was making sure I had the right industries to fit the area allowed so that I could install all the the turnouts for that. So…The main yard now has all of the yard tracks, caboose and through track installed. The through track with it's turnouts to the industry areas are in place. The industry's are figured out.
The only unsure area is the engine facility. Do I purchase a turntable or go with a diesel facility. Yes I would like to do some steam. On the old layout I just made the steam a through train with no turning needed. I do like the idea of a small roundhouse and turntable, but it takes up so much space. So, for now, I will leave that space alone.
All of the turnouts from the other day have tortoises. I wasn't sure if I could get off the floor on some of the machines father back in the layout. Now there are five more and they are all to the back…….but they do not get in the way of the framing of the layout. UNLIKE yesterday.
Remember Model Railroading is fun…. I say that a lot while under the layout putting in tortoise machines and wiring.
If you were wondering about the industrial section, the engine facility with coal, sand and fuel oil will be there. The will also be the REA building, the A&P, the coal company and lumber company. I was able to fit in the icing plant…but it would only be the racks themselves . I will have to paint the building itself on the backdrop.

Local panels

In case anyone was interested in what my local panels look like under each section of the layout. I have presided what I could before I put it in place.. 

The upper left board will be used for all the push buttons and lights on the local control panel. The upper right is where the Tortoise machines, signals and Occupancy Detectors will connect. 

The middle is the PSX circuit breaker. The bottom is the actual detection to each block.

This is for only one half of the main yard. 

Yard is coming Along

The main yard is making progress. You can see the Main, Passing and A/D tracks on the right and the first four yard tracks on the left. The turnout in the middle will lead to the other yard tracks and industrial area.the one the closest to the bottom of the photo will lead to the engine facility.