Planning for the Valkenveld II shelf layout

I have done a lot of planning for the new layout lately, Valkenveld II. I enjoy planning as much as building and operating a model railroad. 

After some back and forth, I have decided to stay true to the current theme, a switching layout situated in The Netherlands in the early 1960s. Another option would have been an Austrian themed layout.

My inspiration comes from a number of industrial lines, like the former Distelweg line in Amsterdam Noord, Ede-Wageningen, Deventer, and others. I will not try to strictly follow a certain prototype, but proto-freelance drawing on inspiration from various prototypes.

Key measurements are:

• L-shape of 250 x 110 cm
• Aisle depth 45 cm 
• Cupboard height at 135 cm
• Top of rails at ca. 145 cm

The “must-haves” for the new layout are:

•            Lots of operational fun without looking overcrowded
•           Elegant track plan
•           RocoLine or Tillig Elite rails
•          Overall feeling that the modeled section resembles not a terminus station but is part of a freight-only short line
•           Run-around track with at least 5-6 cars capacity
•           Variety of interesting scenes, buildings and industries.
•           Attachable, folding fiddle yard with 3 tracks (but the layout should be operational without the yard as well)
•      Minimum radius of 50 cm

“Nice-to-haves” are:

•          A bridge/canal
•          Street running
•      -  Passenger excursions

I have shown a first plan inspired by the Distelweg industrial line earlier. On second thought, this plan has a lot of industries but also looks too crammed and overcrowded. The minimum radius is below 50 cm.

Distelweg in Amsterdam Noord, inspiration for the above track plan.

Since then, I have done many variations of the original plan. Some I will show here below.

This plan is elegant but offers not enough switching possibilities for my taste.

In this plan, I wanted to have the team track road in-between the incoming track and the team track. This would make the plan more interesting. However, it would not be really safe to have trucks move around close to the incoming track.

Finally, this is my current favorite. It is elegant and has a lot of operational potential. The minimum radius is 54.28 cm (RocoLine radius No. 5).

A slight variation to the above plan with an insertion between tracks 1 and 2. This allows some space between tracks 1 and 4 without the slight S-curve.

And finally with insertion between tracks 1 and 2 and a slight S-curve. You can go on and on and on...