Layout Plan

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’m restarting my train hobby a grandson has been born, So i don’t want to go real crazy (Just yet anyway).

Will a dogbone create enough interest to grow my hobby along.

I have 3 transformers.

Let me know what you think.

2

The answer is - it depends…

I assume that you mean a layout shaped as a dogbone instead of an oval, on which you want to have up to three trains “circling” the loop. Whereas it is nice to sit back and watch some trains running, it tends to get boring after a little while, just watching the trains chasing their tails.

I´d suggest you do a little bit of reading. Kalmbach has a book called “Track Planning for Realistic Operation” - a long time classic, written by John Armstrong, one of the gurus of operation. This book will give you an inside on railroad operation and help you tp plan an interesting layout.

3

hi

beside Track Planning For Realistic Operation I would buy 2 books Lance Mindheim"s : How To Design A Small Switcher Layout and 102 Realistic Track Plans by our host.

For some fast on-line reading:

Some good (IMO) online resources on track planning/layout design/operations:

4

Hi everyone,

I would be interested in your trackplan from the 70’s Paul. Theres some good plans around. Right now I am trying to think of mine and trying to get ideas down on paper and all.

Sean

5

hi sean

my old one:

and issues about the use of space:

look also at: http://www.layoutvision.com/id28.html

paul

6

Since you mention three “transformers”, I wonder if you are working with three-rail O gauge trains (such as Lionel)?

Often the layout design approaches are different with O gauge and sectional track than with scale models (often using flex track).

In its purest sense, a “dogbone” is a single-track oval or loop, bent in the middle. If you want multiple trains running at the same time (as implied by three transformers), you may want a different approach with mutliple loops.

Kalmbach has another forum focused on three-rail O gauge, so if that’s your interest, you may find more specific help there.
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/95.aspx

If I’m guessing wrong and you are interested in more of a scale approach, you’ll probably get some good answers here, but more information about the scale you are using and the space you have will go a long way toward helping folks help you.

Best of luck and have fun!

Byron