Progress on the Schwarzburg Modelleisenbahn

An ingenious way to get both loops at the same end of the layout.

But I would definitely recommend going along with suggestions to eliminate the diamond crossings, replacing them with over/under passes. Apart from reducing potential deadspots, derailments and collision possibilities (and cash savings on the crossings), this would permit the loops to accept substantially longer trains too, though that might not bother you. Other than arranging the difference in levels, the over/underpass really does seem advantageous in several ways.

Crossing one track over another doesn't necessarily mean raising the upper level by so much. The lower track could be inset into the baseboard so that each track then shared half the height differential required and, possibly more importantly, only half the grade slope angle would be needed for each of them.

Incidentally and usefully, that arrangement isn't actually a 'reverse loop' in electrical terms. As it stands in the diagram, there is no possibility of reversal of rail polarity, which is very handy in its electrical simplicity. A reverse loop would only occur if the return loop were to re-enter the exact route from which it had originated. This could well happen somewhere else on the layout, but it doesn't happen in the diagram as shown. This is a direct result of using double main-lines instead of a single one. I have to say I like this principle a lot.

Hmm, that's a bit awkward!
But looking at the length available to trains in those loops at present - it is so very little that I feel it would be worth going to almost ANY amount of bother to avoid those two diamonds and the traffic problem they cause. it looks like 3 passenger car trains as a maximum and even that might be tight.

You could take a LITTLE bit out of the sub-frame. You could save a mm or two in height by using low profile ballast-free Peco track where it won't show, under cover there. Have you started building the baseboard yet? If not, do consider a little more depth to its frame so that your datum level track CAN drop a little when it needs to. Dennis, you just have to try to get rid of those damned diamonds, else it's going to drive you nutz and we can't have insane moderators running the joint!

Your top priority is idiot proof operation where it's all under cover.

I am REALLY worried about your wiring plans too!
Keep it simple! (as you possibly can)
QUOTE I'm taking my time in designing it. As I ramp up I will take some pictures.
Take a LOT of time thinking this over and keep that "RAMP UP" in the forefront of your mind!!!

QUOTE I am afraid to show you the remainder of the layout less you have a heart attack.

Go on Dennis, we'd love to see it.

QUOTE As far as the diamonds, the approach to the first diamond is longer than it shows but I think I will try to do an over under instead as you suggest. Lets see if I can get enough clearance without having to result in using a rack railroad.

In the long term Dennis, I think you will thank your self for it. I can see so many problems with these crossovers, especialy if they are hidden below a hill. These problems can admittedly be prevented but you're giving yourself an awful lot of extra work for something that no-one can see. It can be a real pain in the a e to have to rip up track and restructure when you find out it's not happening. I am still repairing over ambitious plans I had when I initially set up my layout. Which is why I'm so keen to start again with an new layout.