hi you all,
this is what I always thought, but so many are using the words in a different way. What is right and what is wrong?
Keep smiling and having fun
Paul
What is the question?
Can't answer you unless you use it in a sentence or give us the definition you think is right so we know what the context is. Are you using the words as verbs or nouns? A train can make laps on a loop. If you mean a passing siding, then in US parlance both are wrong.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
hi Dave
I used the words as nouns, except in one line where I spoke about laprunning.
Running over the loop-to-loop-design over and over again can be called lap-running over a loop? Over two loops!!
I thought about a discussion about a passing-siding as well; some call it a-run-around while others start to think about laprunning the moment they hear the word run-around.
You are close. The confusion comes because most of us use the word loop 2 ways. One way is your first example - the loop to loop layout. These are also called reverse loops because they reverse the train direction. But we also use loop to describe an oval of track as in your second example - in this usage one trip around the track by the train is called a lap, but the oval itself is called a loop. You are correct on the dogbone in the third example. Your last example has no accepted term - some may call it a dogbone, others a loop to loop.
Enjoy
Regardless of what you call it, lap or loop, the crossover turnouts on the bottom diagram, are quite possibly the most critical trackage design element, for maximum operations flexibility on the graphic.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956