Fred- You raise some good points.
My druthers would be for two trains.
However, I'm having a hard time coming up with a layout in this space that will run two trains and still looks relatively interesting. I'm willing to forgo two trains if I can develop a reasonbly interesting layout running one train.
Continuous running is a must.
I'm one of those who likes to just sit back and watch the trains go. This is probably the big reason I don't put a lot of thought into yards and/or spurs. You say the yard on this layout is useless except for storing cars and trains but that's exactly what I designed it for. It doesn't really need to do much else for me. I might add a few spurs if my scenery ends up needing them for industries but they would be more for looks than practical use.
I definately want to put in some hils and tunnels. Especially tunnels. Tunnels break up the monotiny. (sp?) I'd like to toss in a bridge or two as well.
So really, that's all I'm looking for.
Loren-
They're going to go on the trains of course!
That's why I added the yard. That way they would have someplace to sit while the passenger train is moving through.