I hate to break it to you, but it was done years ago by a company named Tyco. [:o)]
We’re forgetting even one of the most famous layouts of all time, John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid, was a small pike in its first incarnation.
Some years back, some friends and I built an 8 X 12 (three 4 X 8s) layout for a real estate company to display in one of its buildings. We had not only a multiple loop for trains, but an oval slot car highway, as well. It was a lot of fun to build, operate and watch. Of course, it ran only for a few weeks each year.
To me, a 4 X 8 is a fun size. It’s small enough to be manageable and finished relatively quickly and, even in HO, it’s possible to add some switching and a little A-to-B shipping. My 4 X 8 modeled a branch line and the trains were small road switchers with 3-4 cars. I could carry lots of different loads between the small town in one corner and the commercial orchard in the opposite corner. Spurs in both allowed for some operating. Most of all, it allowed me to learn and enoy several aspects of model railroading.
As far as NASCAR, I enjoyed it back when it really was stock car racing and still watch now and then.
To sum up, I guess it’s not the oval that counts, it’s what you do with it.
Well Nascar bores the heck out of me, I don’t like going in circles. I had the standard 4 by 8 when I first started in model railroading in 1958, but have graduated over the years to the current layout, which was started in 1987, and covers three decks in an area 28ft by 35 ft. There isn’t a loop anywhere on it, because I enjoy proto operations over watching a train chase its tail around the loop. But that is me, and I certainly endorse anyone enjoying the hobby in their way, whether I would do it or not.
So Nascar can run circles, cats and dogs can run circles, I prefer a straight line.
Bob
My wife is a rabid NASCAR fan. In fact, we’re driving eight hours to Michigan to see a race. My only demand is that she does not complain about $6 beers, or anything else I need to occupy my time. I never understood the racing in circles thing until I got into the stories behind the scenes. I don’t think it’s any more boring than watching baseball on TV. Blasphemy I know!
As for 4x8’s, I enjoy watching trains go through the scenery. I’ve come to realize that my layout is really more of a diorama that has a train going through it. It’s certainly not a model railroad at this point. I’m ok with that. I have been taking my time building it though, I don’t want to finish it. That would ruin the fun.
[#ditto]
Only, I want to finish mine…[:D]
Those are really really hard to find. I saw one at a garage sale several years ago and wish now I would have bought it. At first I thought it was just a slot car set!
I put a backdrop in the middle of my circular 4x8 to make it look like the trains don’t follow themselves- they go from one town to another.
Drat! I thought this was going to feature layouts using my two favorite Christmas presents… a train set and some slot cars!
Lee
I’m more of a SCORE kind of guy. Nothing like all out dirt racing through miles of terrain from one point to another, and even some races that are loops. Trophy Trucks with all out raw power just like your favorite locomotive moving with the conturs of the land. It’s a rush.
So I guess I like point to point and loops…I’m good!
I think that MOST of the people who are not 4x8 fans (and I must admit to being one of them) are not really out to put down 4x8s or modellers who build 4x8s. I general I think they are just trying (sometimes perhaps too aggressively) to point out that there are other options that you might want to consider. A lot of people build a 4x8 first mostly because 'it’s always been done that way". Considering other options that may make different (I’m not going to say better) use of the space seems a reasonable thing to do, but a lot of people are not aware that other options are out there. If after that, 4x8 still suits you, have at it. Please don’t take these posts as personal attacks, a lot of them are coming from people who have ‘been there, and done that’, some even have the t-shirt!
Scott:
I love your “Steasel”. Did EMD build them, or was it a local upgrade? [(-D]
Did Ill Central run many of them?
Wonderful!!! That’s exactly what I want to do with my dad’s old American Flyer train once I get my family room completed.(which at this rate might be a while) And I want to do a double, one running one way and one running the other so they pass. One is a passenger car set and I’ll make the other freight instead. Can’t wait!!!
NOOooooooooooooooo!!!
I love AF. Please post pictures or a video when you get it done. [8D][tup]
I agree. Whoopdeedoo. Some guy jsut went around a track for the 300th time at 200mph. yaaaaaay… [#dots]
I prefer European Formula 1. Now THOSE ain’t no sirkul tracks!
And dirt rally! Can’t forget dirt rally!
My layout is small (for Large Scale), runs along the perimeter of a 12’x15" room, and is basically a large oval with a few sidings. I enjoy seeing the trains going round and round past structures and scenery. If I’m going to spot a car or pull in at some industry, I like the train to run a few laps before I do that operation. I may add a small yard with a small, wooden turntable in the furure. The layout probably isn’t prototypical with 39" radius curves (very sharp for LS) but since it’s narrow gauge, it probably is. Whatever, the most important thing is I really enjoy it and love building the rolling stock and structures that go on it. Despite what anyone thinks or says, the most important person you have to please is yourself. Since most of us are in this hobby for enjoyment, when the time comes that your layout is no longer fun and working or operating it turns into a chore, it’s time to rethink your goals and do what you really like.
As I said in a previous post, I also enjoy trains going through scenery and past structures. I’m more of a builder when it comes to model railroading and enjoy scratchbuilding unusual rolling stock, wooden structures, and scenery as opposed to prototype operations. My layout is more of a diorama with an oval and a few sidings with super detailed scenes, scratchbuilt structures, and unusual rolling stock.
Racing locomotives, huh? All of a sudden, those annoying “Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!!!” radio commericals came to mind. Does that Tyco set come with crossovers, or do you have to have staggered starts and finish lines like track and field events to keep things even? I can imagine the Hot Wheels-like havoc if the locos make it to the crossovers at the same time…
I don’t have much more than a 4’x8’ space in my house to run my trains and even then it’s not a permanent space. I guess one of the good things about snap-track is that I can keep mixing things up for each operating session. Once I get a permanent train spot, I want to make a switching yard layout with long spurs so I can connect it to a bigger layout later.
As for auto racing, I don’t watch NASCAR unless its at Watkins Glen or Sears Poi… oops, Infineon Raceway. 200mph traffic jams don’t really interest me. I much prefer rally, road racing, drifting, and autocrossing. Even better than watching racing, I’ve actually autocrossed, drifted (or at least tried to), and driven the NH International Speedway’s road course on a track day. Once winter’s over and I get a more competitive car, I plan to keep autoX’ing and road racing.
Penskie and Posey at Lime Rock, mid 60’s.
Peter Smith, Memphis