While I understand the whole personal preference idea I would miss the effect of watching my trains run on a continuous route occasionally even if I preferred the operational side of model railroading. My continuous layout will definitely have some sidings, yards and operational aspects to it when I want to engage in that type of activity. Do any “all” operations folks regret not having a continuous run from time to time?
I have a big loop. But when I did run a train from one end to the other, that’s enough for me. I like more switching.
With my narrow gauge layout I will have a point to wye type.
Wolfgang
First there is NO operations vs.continuous layout since you can operate just as easily on a looper as you can a point to point…You see if you pickup and setout cars with or without waybills/car cards then that’s a form of operation.
Did you know you can use a loop layout as a branch line simply by making X many loops between pickups/setouts and use the same yard for both ends?
So the problem is???
Hi Eaglescout,
By continuous layout I am assuming a layout where trains run around an oval, dog bone or something else, which brings the train back to the same place. If that is correct you might consider the following.
My layout consists of four passenger tracks, which are continuous and meet under the same train station. They all enter a tunnel on the layout where they can be staged or layover and released at different time intervals, which gives the viewer the impression they disappear on a trip while another train is returning.
A freight line continues around the whole layout and through the locomotive yard and through the same tunnel and station. Again I have control when you will see it return.
Ya, you don’t have to have a point-to-point railroad to operate the layout realistically. In fact, most model railroads have some provision for continuous running, even if they’re generally operated as a point-to-point during operating sessions (like say a double ended staging yard where trains can run thru if desired.)
I agree. And you can have the loop go in and out of mountains/scenery, etc to give the effect of going and coming “somewhere else”. You can run a loop between two points. For me, it’s really a matter of space and how you can configure that space. Large helix and large 180degree or more curves are big space eaters.
Richard
You can have continuous runs on a layout as long as they are hidden, or provisions are made to work around the connection. For example, on my first layout, I regretted not having a passing track to reverse the trains at my last town before the continuous loop connection. Had I placed one there (or for that matter, on the layout at all), things would have worked out better. Even if you place a runaround on a peninsula in plain view for the younger enthusiasts, you wouldnt need to regret it if the layout went on beyond the loop, thus making it point to point with optional loop.
I have one track that connects the top deck to itself so I can run contineous when on tours or when I have visitors and need time to talk. When it is operating time, that connecting track becomes just another staging track to feed the railroad.
My three decks are all connected with one mainline, but there are no loops or running in circles. I am happy with things the way they are. And no, I have no regrets!
Bob
eaglescout,
To answer your question, no, I don’t regret the lack of a continuous loop on my point-to-point layout.
Personally, I find roundy-round layouts incredibly boring. [|)] Ho-hum, yet another run-by of the same train through the same scenery. I’m a member of a large club, too, and the only thing that keeps me awake during train show operations is that one has the be careful not to run into anyone else. We all have keys to the club and can run trains anytime we want to. Yet the idea of going to the club and running a train for an hour or more holds no appeal to me at all. There’s no challenge, there’s no skill involved. Just set the throttle to a setting and just sit there mindlessly watching the paint dry, I mean, watching the train go by. Where’s the fun in that? Give me a schedule, some meets to make, and some cars to switch out, all before time runs out. That’s fun! Otherwise, it’s like watching a computer game on “demo” at the GameSpot.
At my club, I’ll loop a train once, maybe twice, but then I’ve got to do something else. Will that loco pull that many cars? Will that train make the next siding before running into someone else? That is interesting for a little while. But the idea of trying to find out how many times the train can go in a loop before something derails? Wake me up when it’s over… [zzz]
Paul A. Cutler III
For decades now I have always designed and built layouts that do both, provide good display operation and good prototpye operation.
For good prototype operation I prefer through staging and the feeling of multiple distant off stage locations as the source and destination of most of the layouts traffic.
Sheldon
The last couple of layouts I built were either of a point-to-point or point-to- loop design. I have to admit that I missed “letting a train just run” quite a number of times. It can be so relaxing, sitting back and just watch a train circle the layout while minds starts to wander off … [:-^]
I will be starting a new layout soon. It will be mini-modules, like T-Trak, so I will be able to change the layout set-up any time I fell like doing it.
My layout has a continuous run loop, but it is not readily apparent. The layout appears to be a point to point from my yard area looping round once and over, over a trestle and a bridge then disappearing behind a view block of buildings heading to somewhere else. I can stage trains behind the view block and reverse - good for my RDC Budd Tourist train or push/pull commuter, or can continue on to come out of my Trucking Company and loop around. The track in the Trucking Company appears to be two sidings to service the building, when in reality the tracks connect to the track behind the view block.
Note: View block is temporary in photo - buildings not in place.
My layout was designed to allow either two trains in continuous running or operation as a single-line point-to-point (by considering opposite ends of the lone double-ended yard to be the ends of the line interchanging with other railroads). I have used the layout in both ways, but have found that I derive much more pleasure railfanning a train in continuous running than manipulating car cards and switching industries.
We can all use and enjoy our layouts in such diverse ways, each according to their own interests. Is this a great hobby or what?
Jim
Both.
My layout design has double track mainline. It is point-to-point with a loop at each end. The loops connect to the 2-track main for continuous running. There are numerous industries along the way. It’s more fun to serve the industries with operations than to run continuosly.
My, ‘In (very slow!) progress,’ layout, when somewhat more complete, will have a long, mostly double track loop - about 70% of which will be hidden in the Netherworld. Since my intention is to simulate the operation of a prototype railroad (secondary mainline route of a national monopoly) which was definitely NOT a loop, no train will ever simply run laps without stopping unless I’m running in some new rolling stock or entertaining mundane visitors.
My private railway was designed from the beginning to be a pure point-to-point operation, on which lap running is (and will continue to be) physically impossible.
If I were ever to build a, ‘Show,’ layout, I would make provision for continuous running, but each of the several loops would pass through a double-ended staging yard. Most trains would run once around, then be held for a while to let other trains do their thing. As a show visitor, I quickly became bored when the same train kept coming back around time after time, and I wouldn’t want MY visitors to be bored.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - to the prototype’s published schedule, 24/30)
Yes, I did regret it.
I’ve decided a strong part of the hobby for me is visual appeal, not just the problem solving aspect of switching cars. Just watching a train run on the track, purpose or not, is desirable.
My 45 ft point to point shelf layout was not satisfying in that way, not even with that much length of run. So I actually buit to reverse loops at each end and added another 45 feet or so back, all just to have continuous run ability.
Operationally, its still a pt-t-pt layout and the new part is basically worthless from that standpoint, but I really like watching the train just go roundy round slowly as I work on projects at the bench. All the work was worth it to me.
In the future, the new part will probably hold more staging tracks, but as of now, the skinny part of the dogbone is sceniced as a short line running next to a class 1 railroad for a few miles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNovpMsAP40&feature=email&email=comment_received
my ho scale model railroad has a hidden storage yard the trains can leave the yard enter the mainline… this is where they can be on the continuouse run… then they can leave the main and go upto the high level where there is a return loop and 7 x trains can be stored or run straight thru then down onto the main line again… run around as many times as you like then … back down to the storage tracks
i prefer to run main line trains… i make up my trains and they stay together
i do not do any switching of cars… the main line is where the trains run thru the scene and onto the next scene… the layout is broken up into scenes with view blocks… mountains cuttings etc
I have a continuous run option on my layout but only use it to break in engines and for one open house.
I have always tried to plan a continuous run into my layouts regardless of how often I use it.
The critical thing is to design operation into a layout BEFORE, repeat BEFORE you build it. If you build a layout and then ask now how do I operate it, you will have to be very, very lucky to end up with a coherent operation.
I model a specific point - to-point branchline, continuous running would defeat the purpose, the only loop to be included is the reverse loop dedicated to turning passenger trains at the resort, per my prototype, freight operations were restricted to a nearby wye that also served as the switching leads for several packers.
That being said, traditionally I have included continuous running when I was a free lancer, so i’m not opposed to the concept.
Dave
Yep. That’s the way my layout is set up. [8D]