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I was wondering what everyone here "models". Do you have a layout with some type of return loops within for continuous operation, switching only, or a little of both?
My layout tabletop from above will look like an unused staple, or an "E" without the middle horizontal line. I am trying to get the most out of the space that I have. I was pretty certain I was going to do "N" scale, which will allow for doing a ton of things, but I am concerned with how minute most things are in it that I will have trouble scenicking my layout. For example, modeling people and industries, converting the couplers, etc. I do not have the most agile and thinnest fingers out there. My wife calls my hands "meat hooks", if that helps.
A thought I have is to have the turns in the two "bends" of the layout, so instead of having two 90 degree interior angles, I can have 45 degree angles instead.
I have both point-to-point and continuous built-in. Where there are loops at the "ends", I have a reversing loops installed and where it is a deadend, I have wye's.
The reason for all of this is the point to point is much better for realistic operation sessions, but many times I like to just watch the trains or be able to run/test the trains without having to stop and turn them around.
My layout has 4 separate "loops" that I can "set it and forget it" for continuously running 4 trains, but the 4 loops are tied together in such a way that I can make a single loop almost 150 ft long with no repeating of trackage.I have a small interchange yard and 15 industries for switching/locals. There are 2 reversing sections so I can do "out and backs", but I can't say there is any "point to point".
I have a live interchange with a class 1 RR that is a big giant loop, but most of the loop is really a hidden staging yard (with a reversing cutoff in the hidden section). Only about 20% of the loop is the sceniced portion.
The interchange is with a shortline RR that is the main focus of the layout. The shortline is a point to point that takes up two decks in my 10.5x15 room, all in N scale.
Mine is a combination. It has two industrial spurs, one a switchback, off a folded loop. Although its central operating pit won't appeal to many folks, it works wonderfully well for me because I can turn in any direction and see the landscapes and vistas that I wanted to simply watch steamers haul their loads. Notice a diagonal bridge crossing the entire operating pit. Another duckunder!!!!!! But not a problem for somewhat short guy who is in good shape at 55, and who wanted a reversing loop for both variety in the orientation of trains.
It seems to me that the lower left tunnel portal appears as if it sits nearly 4-6" above the yard throat to its right, but it ain't so. They are at the same height. The switchback (I grew up near switchback in the Andes mountains) is at the top of the far side that you see.
The layout I am working on will have a continuous loop and switching. As a newb, I am just learning about the whole concept of switching and generating way bills and stuff like that. Although I know that's how it is done in reality, I never could grasp that aspect of model railroading as being the enjoyable part so I had always focused on something that looked really "cool". But I know that there is more to it than watching a train run in circles, I am starting to read up on others experiences on how it all is supposed to work.
I guess I ought to try my hand at a club layout, but I find it hard for myself to get out to one.
I know SpaceMouse' webpage gave me some insight into the hows and whys of the nature of switching but it may take me a while to develop a true enjoyment of it.
it all comes down to the space you have to build with and your idea of the perfict layout.
if you have a 10' wall and it has to be a shallow shelf layout there is little sence to make it all mainline as you cant get the train turned around or behind it to switch tracks. This size layout seams better suited to be a point to point or industry yard with lots of little industrys to run switch engines.
if you have the space to make a full loop and run a train around the layout yet still have lots of space for switching you have the best of both.
or just go buy a old barn and make a replica of all the BNSF routes in G scale LOL!
Okay, so if I can manage a couple of 40" width sections, so I can have 18" radius curves, how limited am I in terms of locos and rolling stock in HO scale?
I know I can't have the long articulated locos and the pullman type cars. But in terms of basic rolling stock, up to 50' or 60', will they run on 18" radius curves with no problem? How about diesel engines? Can I run a six wheel GP type diesel, or are they too big?
It seems like in all the books and articles that I have read, I cannot find a clear answer on this. Thanks for any help you can give.
Nice layout there. If I am looking at it correctly, what type of radius are you running on that reverse loop in the middle there? I can't see behind the engine house to see if it is a reverse loop, or if it goes into the mountain. Either way, what is the radius and what is the biggest locos and stock that you run on it?
I like to have it both ways: Point-to-point focused operation, or continuous looping so I can put it in 'autopilot' mode. My minimum mainline radius is 32" since I'm running 6-axel diesels and 89ft auto racks.
Mine will had a continuous (of sorts) for the majority of it, with about 10 line side industries, which will all take up enough switching time on their own to tie up an operator during operating sessions. Now if I can only find a house.
Nice layout there. If I am looking at it correctly, what type of radius are you running on that reverse loop in the middle there? I can't see behind the engine house to see if it is a reverse loop, or if it goes into the mountain. Either way, what is the radius and what is the biggest locos and stock that you run on it?
The yard in the low ground, at left, is accessed on each end via curved #7.5 Walthers/Shinohara turnouts off the main. I did some surgery on them to widen them a bit, particularly the inner diverging route which otherwise was close to 22", below my minimum of 24" for larger steamers. At the far end, behind the roundhouse, is a sweeping main curve near 45" that disappears into a tunnel just behind the depot. Moving right, along this sweeping curve, after some grade, another 7.5 curved that is also stretched wider allows access to the reversing loop that you see. That loop comprises a 28" radius so that big steam and heavyweight passenger cars won't stub their toes. The most demanding engines I run are a 2-10-4 Pennsy J1 from BLI, a Niagara S1b 4-8-4 also from BLI, and a BLI Pennsy Duplex 4-4-4-4. The Duplex is the one that has to crawl through the curved turnouts when there is a grade transition under them. The others are happy with my alterations.
You may be interested to know that the 4-8-4 has no problems with 22" curves...I ran it easily on my last layout with EZ-Track, including their almost#6 style turnouts. The 2-10-4 was reduced to walking speed, and even then it balked at some places. The Duplex and it are reputed to need 24" as a minimum, and I think BLI got the Duplex right. Model Railroader had the J1 running on 22" curves, and so did I.
Question... is 22" radius considered tight nowadays? When I was a kid 18" was tight and 22" was considered good. I hear more people talk about 30"+ radius on this message board? Just wondering what the suggested min radius is in todays model RR world
22" is a normal radius for tabletop style layouts. Most modelers with shelf layouts prefer to go bigger for the visual reasons, that an some modern releases require 24", or even 26" (in the case of Athearn's Auto-Max cars).
