Dream Layout... what does it feature?

I have about 12'x12'-6.... The present phase is along one 12' wall.

When all three phases are done I will basically get what I wanted.

-- A small yard, with engine service facilities.

-- Interchange with 3 different railroads. (UP, SP, and GN/SP&S)

-- Mountain main line operation requiring helper service.

-- Enough industry to justify a lot of traffic over the mountains.

----Basically I designed with operation in mind.

I posted an image a few weeks ago of the track plan phase 1. I won't be home until Sunday night or I would post it again.

Basically phase 1 of the layout is "Loop to Loop". As the layout is completed it will still be a single track main with a loop at both ends. The two loops will be hidden storage. 

It would be difficult to have a "True" operational layout with a yard at both ends and main line between in a typical home size layout.

What I have opted for is a line that runs between an interchange point / division point and a classification yard. At the division point many trains will just exchange crew and power then run into the hidden storage area, returning latter as another train headed in the opposite direction. 

At the yard end of the line the trains will be classified. The hidden loop will be used to turn trains and also store UP trains that interchange with the yard.

"Operation" doesn't mean, in this case, Divisional Yard to yard operation with complete classification at both ends. It means that the layout is designed to operate like the real thing.... move stuff from point A to point B. In theory you could have an operational Layout with 10 feet of track connecting a couple of hidden storage/ fiddle yards.

Christopher 

There is not a way to have enough room to included eveything I would want to include on a layout. That being said I've been re-evaluating what I really want on a layout myself, and the list is getting shorter as reallity sets in.

1) An area than reminds me of home. I grew up in a little town in rural america with a concrete co-op grain elevaror, a co-op storage building, an empty lot that at one time was a stockyard, a mom and pop grocery, one tavern, a water tower, several blocks of catalog homes, surrounded by miles of corn feilds for as far as the eye could see. Layed out linearly like most midwest towns. It was one of those little towns where you can blink and miss it. One where you could hear the church bell ring at noon, you looked forward to watching the seven and three o'clock train pass throught the middle of town, and the biggest commotion was the children riding thier bikes or playing tag.  

 2)........ I don't even have to get there but it would be nice

That's an awesome visual. Building a layout from what you love can only lead to a great creation.