Liner vs. loop layout

[Hathaway Browne]

Well my new track plans are still up in the air. I'm working on 5x8.HO and I want a loop layout mainly because
1) I'm not really an operations person. I'm happy to let the train move slowly amongst the scenery and "come back" so to speak.
2) I prefer to "tell the story" with the scenery rather than specifics on trains running.

I would love to run a short passenger train, but I'm finding the requirements to do that a right pain in the proverbial.

Now I have arrived at the idea that maybe I'm just not going to get what I want in that space. (After a brief flirtation with the idea of switching to N) I am considering doing a liner layout, but I have a few questions.

1) Is a liner layout more suited to an ops. person? I don't want to watch a train go from right to left and stop.
2) Are there any good 4x8 liner plans or do those dimensions just not work well with liner?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jbaakko]

Linear layouts basicaly mean the train does not go through one "scene" more then once per "loop" of the full railroad. So technically, a 4x8 figure 8 could not be linear, where as an oval could be.

 

[Hathaway Browne]

That I understand. I'm just trying to establish if a liner layout would be pointless to a non-ops person.

 

[ray46]

A linear layout is generally considered to be point to point, like a real railroad, something that is very often built on a shelf around a wall. It would be unusual for anyone to consider an oval to be a linear layout. Well, unless you do not use the oval as such. On such a layout you could use the oval as a point to point possibly using a loads in, empties out scenario, say a coal mine and power plant back to back with a scenery block, and sometimes if you just wanted to watch trains run you could use the oval for continuous running.

As to question #1, since a true linear layout goes from point to point it is more suited to operations unless you have a lot of space to lay track. Even then, if you just like to watch trains run through scenery, that's going to end at the end of the line and you're going to have to stop watching, have some way to turn the train around or start another train in the other direction. If you really do not like operations, then that's probably not the type of layout for you.

But I'm not really understanding your dilemma. In a 5x8 space you could have 24" to 28" curves. Although an 80' passenger car may no look its best, it would run on that radius curve.

For ideas, check out some of the layout books, such as 101 Track Plans. Remember, you can alter any trackplan to fit your needs and you can even take a plan made for, say a 3'x4' space in HO and expand it to fit your space.

Ray

 

[Hathaway Browne]

Thanks Ray.

I'm just getting a bit frustrated at being stuck in the planning phase and trying to make sure I've covered every avenue so I don't end up making a mistake like I did with my last layout.

 

[jbaakko]

I've got an idea for you... I've seen these "shadow box" concept layouts. The layout is divided into shadow box scenes. Each scene separate from the rest. In 5x8 you could fit like 4-6 scenes, which would give you less of the ops point of view and more of the change in scenery point.

 

[vato loco]

Here's a plan I was kicking around. A Loop with a small yard that connects with a branch line to what ever you would like to put there! it's a 4x8 too!

 

[vato loco]

BTW this one i like the most out of my 4x8 plans!

 

[Hathaway Browne]

I've got an idea for you... I've seen these "shadow box" concept layouts. The layout is divided into shadow box scenes. Each scene separate from the rest. In 5x8 you could fit like 4-6 scenes, which would give you less of the ops point of view and more of the change in scenery point.

Sounds like a good idea.

Sorry to ask, but do you know where there are any plans or examples of that?

Here's a plan I was kicking around. A Loop with a small yard that connects with a branch line to what ever you would like to put there! it's a 4x8 too!

You know that actaully looks really good. I have the large loop for the passenger train and then the twisty part for the freight.

 

[jbaakko]

Sounds like a good idea.

Sorry to ask, but do you know where there are any plans or examples of that?

Honestly, no. I remember seeing it in one of the Magazines. The best option I'd this, would be Dec 2005 Railroad Model Craftsman.
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&sort=A&output=3&cmdtext=%22SHADOWBOX%22

Unfortunately it does not seem as if I have that one. So it may have been in another issue, under a different keyword. I'll look this weekend if no one else finds it.

 

[Hathaway Browne]

Thanks anyway.

 

[vato loco]

Honestly, no. I remember seeing it in one of the Magazines. The best option I'd this, would be Dec 2005 Railroad Model Craftsman.
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&sort=A&output=3&cmdtext=%22SHADOWBOX%22

Unfortunately it does not seem as if I have that one. So it may have been in another issue, under a different keyword. I'll look this weekend if no one else finds it.

I remember one back in the mid 80's or early 90's of a z scale WP Feather River layout built out of five shadow box's! it was in a MR issue and it was on the cover! The layout if I remember traveled around too. Shouldn't be to hard to find some info on it


EDIT: Found one of the issues! http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=i&id=2&iid=244

 

[kondre2000]

I have been kicking around some designs for my 2nd layout. I came across this thread and i just thought that design was stellar. I took and built it in the atlas track design program and came up with a real killer layout. Then of course I sat down and looked at whether it would meet the "list of requirements" that I have been given for our 2nd layout by my wife and son. I wasnt able to meet them all, so I doubt I will actually construct this layout. I thought that I should post a pic of what I came out with just incase anyone would be interested. If some one is really interested in it and has the atlas software, I can provide the .ra file too. It ends up being a two level layout and the transversing track will have a pretty steep incline but i still think it is possible to construct this design.

the tracks are color coded for sizes and such, the white track is hidden track. the track on the upper level on the side that has just the "country" will need to descend before it curves off, thus making the lower level get crunched on the left side of the layout.

Kevin