If what Ed and James say above is the case, why are we going to the expense and hassle of a third switch at Top of the Mountain? Why not build the south switch and the switch off the siding at the north end and not worry about the other one at this time? We would save a set of switch timber, a frog and a pair of points, in addition to the time required to lay out, cut and fit all the rails for the third switch. Just asking.....
If we follow our usual track construction model, the track at Top of the Mountain will be built this fall, and next spring we'll place the ballast and surface and line everything. Therefore, it seems to me that we are putting the cart before the horse, so to speak, since it will be at least a year and probably longer before we are able to begin undertaking the major construction projects required to continue north from Top of the Mountain. Perhaps I'm not seeing the big picture, but it seems to me there are several issues to be addressed before we start laying track down the mountain.