Layout Plan - idea change

The last idea was really good, but I just had a different idea that may be better. The issue with the last layout is there is only one station area that can be seen and lots of hidden staging. What is needed is a second station and maybe some yard facilities. To do this I would take my branch station idea and make it an upper layer which will then be sitting on some hidden staging yard tracks, and sitting behind the main station and yard facilities (which will be on the ground level).

I do plan to take this layout to exhibitions, thus it is important that an audience can be entertained, thus the need for at least two stations. Plus it can be used to show the turnaround of passenger trains, as well as the break down and reassembly of goods trains.

I'll update this post once I have completed my layout plan in AnyRail.

Taking longer than I thought, and of course it is the allowances for the HST that is the problem - I use 1.42 metres for the station platform and I need to use that for the servicing sheds and stabling as well. I'll have the stabling and shed parallel to each other otherwise even more space is wasted. And then there is the required point work to direct locomotives, trains, and coaches to their required locations, which also requires space. So far I have a length of 4.00 metres for the layout, with my luck I will need to go to 5 metres.

I have the coach stabling parallel to the platforms to reduce wasted space.

The bottom half of the diagram below is the area I am currently working on.

Draft Plan

Updated version of the plan for the terminus and depot.

Version 4.11 of the plan

Current length is 4.25 metres, the platforms need to fit a regular sized HST with a rake of 7 coaches and two power cars. 7 * 165 mm + 2 * 125 mm = 1155 + 250 mm = 1405 mm = 1.41 metres. The plus side of this is that the station can handle a rake of 7 coaches, and allow the locomotive to escape via the run around track. Otherwise if the locomotive is trapped then a a rake of 9 coaches can fit, and an alternative locomotive will need to be used to move the train.

HST Book Sets

Just received an email from Ehattons mentioning that the Dapol HST (Class 43) Book Sets in the Blue & Grey livery, and the Intercity Executive livery are available. But no mention of the Intercity Swallow livery which I have on pre-order.