What Is More Realistic: Single Track or Double Track Main Line?

[IDM1991]

Several layouts shown in CTT and other model railroading magazines have double track main lines winding around the edge of the layout. However, many railways have a combination of the two (i.e. a "dogbone") or a mere single track main line featuring numerous turnouts in order to give the layout some variety.  What is more more realistic?  Double track or single track?  

The question, I imagine, would be entirely dependent upon the context.  While many North American main lines have two, three, four, or more tracks, I would imagine that many countries use single track main lines.  Is, perhaps, the concept of using a double track main line on model railways a throwback to the mystique of having not one, but two trains running under the Christmas tree?  The first layout my father and I built ran two trains, but it had a single track main line (with about two sidings) running around the edge of the layout while a figure-eight graced the centre of the train table.

It would be interesting to see what others have to say about this.  Indeed, even some of the largest and most realistic layouts in the magazines don't have a multiple-track main lines.  

[willpick]

The answer to your question has many parts. How many tracks a railroad has depends on several factors. one is how many trains run on the line per day-- 2) is there any passenger(Amtrak) traffic? How many industries are served (and are they all on one side of thr tracks) Many regional RR's are single track with some double track [and yards]for passing trains(north/south running) Down here in south Fla., the two railroads are CSX and the FEC. Both used to be double tracked when there was passenger traffic+ freight. Both went to single track when passenger traffic died in the '60's. The FEC is still single track with the passing sidings & yards i mentioned. CSX, on the other hand, reinstalled the second track+ upgraded the original line due to having a commuter rail operation(Tri-Rail) that runs from Miami to West Palm Beach. There is talk about rehabbing the FEC line from Jaxsonville to Miami(which is the entire line) to double track and running Tri-Rail and Amtrak on it in addition to the freight, as the line runs along the Florida East Coast thru all the major cities and towns, wheras CSX does not.

Hope this explains a bit of the rationale---

[arkady]

A lot probably depends upon what you were seeing when you were in your formative years. I lived along the PRR main line in central Pennsylvania as a kid, and it was four very busy tracks all the way.

Today, under Norfolk Southern, it's down to two, which, I suppose, is the most that many people have ever seen on one prototype right-of-way.

As for "the mystique of having two trains running under the Christmas tree," well, in my entire life, I've never seen a two-train Christmas-tree layout. I don't think it is/was as common as you believe. In fact, when I was a kid, our house was the only one I ever knew that actually had a Christmas train layout at all.

For most modelers, I would imagine that the number of mainline tracks is dependent upon available space for the layout. Multitrack mainlines would take up a lot more room than I've ever had available.

[anjdevil2]

I had a double track main for Christmas last year.  But again, where you grew up matters the most.

I used to live near the NorthEast Corridor (North Brunswick, NJ/Adams Station) where 4 track main lines are the norm!

[rtraincollector]

thanks rich I was going to kick in that when I was in New London, CT it had 2 but as we got into NYC and went to Philly it was basically 4 if I remember right ( PRR Days) But theres area I've been that was one and it had 2 here and there for trains to pass each other in opposite directions.

[traindaddy1]

Realistic? Good question.   In my "HO" world, it was two with sidings to let the swifter passenger train pass. (That was with individual cab control)  In my "O" world, it is three (two opposite direction freight and one separate one-direction passenger)

As a youngster, growing up in the Northeast, I remember seeing as many as four.  On my last Amtrak ride to Florida, I think there were two.

I think that the number of "realistic" tracks on a layout (your personal little world) depends on the space available and the care and placement of the scenery. Any number, properly placed can be "realistic".    Anyway, my .  Thanks for asking.

[trainbrain]

 It depends on what you want to model and also the amount of room you have.  "O" eats a lot of space fast.  I model single tracks for that "Branch Line" effect which I prefer.  It also doesn't feel  too crowded.

[mersenne6]

As has been said - it depends on what you are modeling.  In my case it is no track at all - I just have a small shelf diorama of a section of rails-to-trails - a few trees, a bike path, and a couple of O scale figures taking a hike -

[phillyreading]

Depends upon the time period you want to model as to how many tracks to run or how many tracks you can afford to run. There are many prototypes to follow.

I now live in southeast Florida. FEC has one track main lines between cities and indutries, however in Stuart FL FEC has as many as four tracks near Indian St. & U.S. 1, it is a passing area with sidings.

Where I grew up in Pennsylvania, the Reading Railroad had four tracks going out of the north side of the city(near Temple PA) and the Pennsylvania had two tracks, that was around 1971. The Reading used one track for northbound traffic and the other track for southbound traffic, it was their idea of faster service as their engines didn't have to wait to pass each other. The other two tracks that Reading had, cut off and ran west and east out of the city after a few miles. Since Conrail took over there are now two tracks and one track. Also some of the old Pennsy tracks have been sold off.

Also there is Altoona PA, where the Pennsy had a four track main at Horsheshoe Curve in the early 1970's. Conrail now cut it down to three tracks.

Lee F.

[wjstix]

Time period is a factor as mentioned. Many early railroads in the west were single-tracked (and not very well laid tracks at that) but were later double-tracked to increase the amount of traffic. In the mid-20th century Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) increased the productivity of trackage, and many railroads changed double-track lines to single-track. Unfortunately in some cases the traffic surge of the 1990's on has caused some single-track lines to be overloaded, and some roads have actually re-laid the second line to restore double-track in recent years.

[phillyreading]

The BNSF in certain parts of the west or midwest is planning to run three tracks because of high volume frieght traffic.

Lee F.

[Buckeye Riveter]

The NS Mainline from Columbus to the Ohio River is double tracked except a portion south of Chillocothe.  At this point the NS installed a wye switch to take the double to a single.  Located about a 1/4 mile into the single track is a wheel greaser.  After the trains leave the greaser, this track consists of sharp turns and twists where the wheels squeal like a pig for about 20 miles.  Then NS has another wye switch to take their mainline back to double track.  

[ADCX Rob]

Having grown up on the Water Level Route, I believe a 4 track main line is more realistic.

Rob

[hscsltb]

Living near the Northeast Corridor in Rhode Island we have two under the wire and one for freight(P and W) that does not have overhead wiring.

[fifedog]

I believe the space constraints of one's layout would weigh into this argument.  My current layout is 9' x 13', in what could best be termed a twisty-curvy configuration.  A segment is double tracked (to replicate the B&O out of Cumberland), which is actually just a huge return loop to my original layout.  The majority of the layout is single-tracked (to replicate the WM from Meyersdale to Cumberland).  I think they look good intertwining, because I worked with scenes from actual locations.

If you have a small layout, and want "realism" stick to a single track line.  Build away from the edges as much as possible, and try to keep straight tangents of track to a minimum.

[scottychaos]

If you are modeling a 2-track mainline, then 2 tracks is more realistic.

If you are modeling a 1-track mainline, then 1 track is more realistic.

its really that simple! ;)

Scot

 

[Andrew Falconer]

What is more realistic is when O Scale Locos and Cars are operating on O-144 Curves.

 

 To get those curves you need to get a 13' x 40' around the wall track layout set up.

 Andrew Falconer