I'd still like to have the lines postioned on the side of a slope or an embankment
I agree, you've mastered the flat water-level routes, you need to do something like this, the DW Ltd, Mine No. 1:
Material exits mine, stage left pushed by a beat up critter to transfer incline.
Human hand pushes (or pulls) transfer table up incline via rod in foreground.
Critter in right "tunnel" pushes cars to left into base of processing building.
Ore is processed and moves up to be shipped in larger cars pulled by larger loco towards stage right.
Strong industrial forms bracket composition: concrete transfer table with operator house and power equipment on one side, ore processing "tower" on left side. Ravine at center gives impression of distance and a good reason to use some cheap, N or HO bridges or trestles.
Rear masonry "wall" is meant to be blasted ledge, not laid-up stone.
Angle lines a bit in plan view. The top level route is supposed to curve towards the viewer above the power station on the right. You might find a good reason to park a coal car or oil tanker above the transfer table power station? Maybe add a line of telephone/elec line poles in silhouette across the top level?
If you wanted to be fancy, you could continue the mine rail line in a 180-degree turn to the rear of the layout. Even put an over-run under the powerstation or return that 180 degrees to rear as well.
Size? Could it be 15" x 36" ? Maybe I'm too optimistic...?
Here's a link to a real-estate challenged (but incredibly capable) modeler that really compresses horizontal space and expands space vertically:
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topi ... hichpage=4