I guess my question is more of do I count double main line track as one length or two? I guestimate the track I call my mainline at about 60 feet but then about 2/3 of it is double track to run trains in both directions, so do I really have 100 feet of mainline track?
If you are figuring how far your trains run then its 60 feet. If you are buying flex track then its 100 feet.
Difference between “route miles” and “track miles”.
I’ve always considered “route miles” when calculating the mainline length. An easy way to calculate the length of your mainline, regardless of layout size, is to make-up a train of a known length - ten feet, for instance - then run it around the layout from start to finish, marking off each train length as it proceeds.
Wayne
I agree with Dave that 60 feet would be the length of your mainline. The only reason to use a 100’ measurement would be for purposes of calculating track requirements or determining the amount of ballasting material. I have a 100’ flexible tape measure that I use for this purpose.
Rich