Train layout

[UPJohn]

I was wondering how to design a train layout for operation. The layout I will hopefully be able to build is a Union Pacific line and I want it to have lots operation opportunities. ??? I am new to the hobby but I have been around model trains all my life. (i'm 13).[?]

[dehusman]

First decide what you mean by operation. Some people mean running a lot of trains at the same time. Some mean moving cars around with waybills and lists.

Probably the best thing would be to go to the library or hobby shop, or look on line for some basic layout plan or design books. I would reccommend the ones by Kalmbach. The plans in those books are generally designed to support "operation".

Don't worry if the layouts aren't "UP" layouts. You can adapt almost any track plan to almost any railroad. Pick out the track arrangement that looks like it has the things you want in it.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

There's always that old stand-by - "Track Planning for Realistic Operations" available through www.trains.com (the parent site of this forum).

But overall, I think that Dave has a good point - what does operations mean for you? Is it moving things prototypically, or running a bunch of trains at once, or a switching puzzle layout (John Allen's "Timesaver" is probably the most famous), or switching industries, or making up trains to depart a yard?

Most of the guys I know have a combination of these activities during an "operating session"... Talk to the people you want to run trains with, and see what info/advice/suggestions they have.

Andrew