Are oval shaped train layouts automatically boring?


homersimpsonlikestrains

homersimpsonlikestrains

Active Member
Are oval shaped train layouts automatically boring? I only have room for a 4 x 8 layout. I have seen many large layouts on YouTube, and it seems a layout has to be huge and complex to be fun. Are there people who are happy with an oval shaped layout instead of a large and complex layout?
 
It depends on the operator.
Some folks are content with a 4X8 world while others want to use the whole basement.
 
It doesn't have to be boring. A lot depends on your interests. Many folks just like to watch trains go by. A 4'x8' can be less boring if there are spurs to the inside for industries to switch.
 
If you have room for a 4' x 8', this means you probably have 4' along one wall and another 8' along another wall, making for a nice switching shelf layout which is better than watching a train go round and round and round. Look up shelf switching layout.
 
I'm going to offer a very strange viewpoint here: Are even MEGA sized layouts--not even ovals, but point-to-point dogbones--boring? In regard to the one I envision, but will almost certainly never build: I do wonder at times.

The layout I would design and build, if I had the space, the money, and the time, might be hugely fun to bring to life--to build--for me...but a lot less fun...perhaps even BORING to operate. There is only so much fun/pleasure/ to be gleaned from a layout that sports fantastic and well built scenery (I would hope!), and challenging helper operations over the hill. At which point D&J's/Ken's* reality becomes the reality of operating it: You have to PAY people...or invite new people in on a regular basis...to get enough bodies to make it work.

[*Aside: Are you a Ken?]

This is particularly true of layouts based on the American west, where a lot of the running are through trains. If you like watching them run, then this part of the country suits you more than most. If you want more action--switching action--then maybe layouts based on prototypes further east would be better. Those in more heavily and more heavily populated parts of the US.

As I said, I do wonder.
 
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Mines an oval layout, not as large as D&J's or Willie's or a whole lot of other members, I've built what I can with the space I have. Its built not only to watch trains, but also
to do a little switching when I'm in the mood or do both when I'm feeling overconfident.

I've found there are always little tweaks I want to do to improve the layout as a whole, as well as ideas I get from other members that I would like to at least try, I've built a small diorama that's been inspired by the members here, it's not great, or even accurate, but ok for a first attempt so no, I don't think an oval track is boring, only when you lose interest as a whole in MRR does that happen.
 
Smudge617 said:
Mines an oval layout, not as large as D&J's or Willie's or a whole lot of other members, I've built what I can with the space I have. Its built not only to watch trains, but also
to do a little switching when I'm in the mood or do both when I'm feeling overconfident.

I've found there are always little tweaks I want to do to improve the layout as a whole, as well as ideas I get from other members that I would like to at least try, I've built a small diorama that's been inspired by the members here, it's not great, or even accurate, but ok for a first attempt so no, I don't think an oval track is boring, only when you lose interest as a whole in MRR does that happen.
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Overconfident? Nah. Go for broke and do both, I say. If you have to hold up a mainline train...heck, it's only money. :D
 
Snowman said:
Overconfident? Nah. Go for broke and do both, I say. If you have to hold up a mainline train...heck, it's only money. :D
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At around $300 a loco, a lot of money.
My problem is I forget to hold the mainline while I'm trying to get the freight wagons out, I've had some very near misses :D
 
Operating a large layout has to be done with a scheduling tool unless you're just running the trains around the layout with no delivery plan. Even with that, the occasional move from the staging area up to the operating level will require helper service on occasion. It's about 60 feet or so at 2.5% grade with a few mild curves. I'll usually have a teamed set of locos sitting down at the end of the staging track that can be brought up behind a heavy freight for that needed umpf.
 
homersimpsonlikestrains said:
Are oval shaped train layouts automatically boring? I only have room for a 4 x 8 layout. I have seen many large layouts on YouTube, and it seems a layout has to be huge and complex to be fun. Are there people who are happy with an oval shaped layout instead of a large and complex layout?
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There is/was a thread "4x8 layouts boring" or something like that awhile back, you might see ifn you can find that.
If this is your 1st layout, go ahead and build, build, build. Nothing is caste in stone so you can modify, rebuild or start over as nobody here will admonish you for that. And remember, post pix and ask questions if needed.

My last layout was bedroom size and I used a 4x8 setup in another room just to test stuff and try new things. That way I could not screw up stuff on the real layout. No buildings or scenery on the small one to make it easier to hide it when not used. Yes, did test different scenery ideas but they got scraped off before hiding.

As everybody says, it is your layout so do as you please! Guess what? Every time you do something you are learning AND you get to play with trains.

Later
 
ctclibby said:
Thanks Smudge ... Old age has it's downfall - ya don't remember squat sometimes, also benefits - ya don't remember squat sometimes.

Later
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If you live long enough, and want to live longer still, it does, indeed have its downfall.

But, and as they say, the alternative is worse.
 
homersimpsonlikestrains said:
Are oval shaped train layouts automatically boring? I only have room for a 4 x 8 layout. I have seen many large layouts on YouTube, and it seems a layout has to be huge and complex to be fun. Are there people who are happy with an oval shaped layout instead of a large and complex layout?
Click to expand...
They do have a tendency to be short-lived, and most of us come to conclude that watching trains go round and round, even through a nicely crafted layout, is due to the simplistic and redundant track system. Some can abide it, if temporarily, because they know they can eventually do better. Some find it horribly boring in a few weeks and the layout will sit unused except maybe at Christmas when more family is present and the kids are bored.

However, a lot depends on circumstances, not least of one's tolerance to oval track systems and one's desire to play with trains no matter what. At least ovals DO allow trains to run while the operator can sit back and sip on something or talk with another person about the hobby.

In my case, I have only built closed loops, twice now with double mains. I favour the folded loop design because it affords me, a guy who enjoys watching the churning rods and valve gear on steamers, lots of time to watch then run in a confined space.

Finally, even small ovals can be made a bit more complicated, and therefor interesting, and therefor once again to be longer lived, if they have at least one switching industrial complex somewhere on their surfaces.
 
One of the things about MR that pushed me to look forward to that dream layout is: the ability to run big engines and long freight or passenger cars without them looking way oversized on the curves.
When you can just about see the inside rail from under the passenger car on a curve, it just loses that effect of real trains. Ya want to be able to run longer trains with multiple engines as you age in the hobby. Yeah, some folks may be content with their Poopsy Daisy, point to point, 1867 era, O gauge shelf railroad that runs three feet along their sunroom wall, but I think those are few and far between.
 
Back in the day, My brother and I had many good times with our 4x7, which fit under the bed when not in use. In our imagination, it wasn't a 4x7 two track oval, it was the Northeast Corridor.

That was then, but now,the same type of layout would not have any interest. My basement wall hugging upside down U shaped switching road does everything I want, except allow for continuous running, which takes away the pour a drink and kick back and watch the train run option.
Prototype switching, is too much like work on some days.

If there is another layout, it will be around the walls but with the continuous run option, as well as broad curves to run passenger and van trains.
 
Does it have to be 4x8 or can you cut the board at all?

4B2FA98D-FCB6-40E6-918C-FDF9936736C7.png
 
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I based my layout on the Black River Junction plan above.

I made the "extension" bigger (but not by much), and it has a 3-track yard complete with a main track and runaround.
I also added a few more industries.

I send a "road freight" out to earn mileage by running around a few times while I switch out the industries. Then a "transfer job" puts the empties into position and the road crew backs off the "loads" and goes out and gets the empties, and runs them back to the yard.

A yard crew does the rest.

I'll run 4-5 different engines during a session. Enough to avoid boredom...
 
This one looks great in my opinion.
J.Albert said:
I based my layout on the Black River Junction plan above.

I made the "extension" bigger (but not by much), and it has a 3-track yard complete with a main track and runaround.
I also added a few more industries.

I send a "road freight" out to earn mileage by running around a few times while I switch out the industries. Then a "transfer job" puts the empties into position and the road crew backs off the "loads" and goes out and gets the empties, and runs them back to the yard.

A yard crew does the rest.

I'll run 4-5 different engines during a session. Enough to avoid boredom...
Click to expand...
J,

I cant remember off the top of my head, are you DCC or DC ?
 
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