One mainline, plus5 bypass sidings holding trains.
5 run clockwise; 1 runs counterclockwise.
Have no idea why I set them up this way, although I have discovered a derailment issue at the turnout into one bypass siding going counterclockwise, and I avoid that route.
Running in both dirrections does show where there are potential problems in the layout.
runtime
I have a prewar AF 1218 set that will only run counterclockwise not clockwise.
The Blueboard Central Division of American Flyer Lines is basically a simple oval, and a much larger twisting dog bone that winds around several tables. The inner oval runs counter clockwise and the larger dog bone runs clockwise. This photo has the smaller loop to the left and the dog bone to the right. The third train in the background is just positioned for the photo which I used for a SPF some time ago and which I entitled Heavy Traffic.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
counterclockwise
Seayakbill Now when I have 2 trains on the same main its pretty important that they are travelling in the same direction.
Now when I have 2 trains on the same main its pretty important that they are travelling in the same direction.
Unless you have a convenient passing siding or your name is Gomez Adams.
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Clockwise................but when i'm on the other side of the equater-counter clockwise, although I have no idea why!
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
Mine are conditional, being mechanical and some with keys that are not so easy to remove, I run them with the key outward (counterclockwise) so they dont catch on anything
Have fun with your trains
On a 4 track main:
Passenger trains on track 1 northbound & westbound(middle east/north tracks) and track 2 for southbound & eastbound(middle west/south tracks).
Freight trains on track 3 northbound & westbound(outside east/north tracks) and track 4 for southbound & eastbound(outside west/south tracks).
Rob
Dual mainlines with switcheovers so I run them all directions.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
I operate my trains in both directions. My track is circular but I operate it as a point-to-point type of layout. The locomotives usually face counter-clockwise but I use steam switchers with front couplers and a GP7 so the locomotives travel equally in forward and reverse. I do have a reverse loop, but oddly enough I really don't use it very often. In fact, I usually have it filled with rolling stock.
Karl
90% of the time I run counter clockwise.
I run trains on my outer loop counter-clockwise and trains on my inner loop clockwise. However, my inner loop is a figure 8, so does that mean it is half clockwise and half counter-clockwise?
Initially, I had no rhyme or reason for running them this way; it's just the way I set it up. Now it does since I have added one siding and have more planned.
Joe
I have an 5’ x 16’ foot S-gauge cabinet-top layout. The steam engines run in a clockwise direction. I have five siding with seven turnouts in the inner area. This way I can switch cars, set up trains, and run the action accessories within that area. This is the slow as you go switching area.
The main line I run passenger trains like the Silver Flash, Santa Fe, and the larger steam 4-8-4’s. These trains I run counterclockwise. I have a inner and outer main line. The inner main line goes thru the town station to pick up passengers. From there I can switch them to the outer main line, which goes thru the desert valley, bridges, and mountains.
I find that the steam engines run better clockwise on my American Flyer hi-rail track with rubber roadbed with turnouts. Does anyone else notice this?
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”
AZ-Flyer@American Flyer Cabinet-top Layout (5'x16'): http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/
I'm a sort kinda clockwise guy. Every once in awhile I go against the grain. and go counterclockwise.
laz57
I run them in both directions, with a double main I prefer the trains going in opposite direction. Now when I have 2 trains on the same main its pretty important that they are travelling in the same direction.
Bill T.
I have an 11' x 7 1/2 ' layout . I run freights in both directions but usually run passenger trains counterclockwise. I have 145 gate man near the station operated by the insulated track and if a passenger train running clockwise stopped at the station the engine would be on the insulated track.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I run both directions about equally. On double track areas some times it is right hand other times it is left hand like the C&NW, Since I grew up just two blocks away from the C&NW in Chicago I thought that left hand operation was normal.
On my S-gauge layout, the steam engine pulls cars in a clockwise direction, while my diesel (which is elevated) runs in a counter-clockwise direction, just for variety.
On my HO gauge layout, a double mainline, I follow the C&NW protocol, counter clockwise on the outer track and clockwise on the inner track.
If I were running a single track on either layout, I would run trains clockwise, just like I did when I was a kid.
Rich
Alton Junction
Those of you who don't have reverse loops -- in which direction do you normally run your trains? Clockwise or Counterclockwise?
I'm sure there's a Master's thesis in there, but I'm motivated by sheer curiosity. I notice that I most often run counterclockwise, and I wondered how many others do likewise -- or not.
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