New House, New Layout

[Nickel Plate Road]

Hello All

   Well got transfered to a new town. I was working on my old layout which was Michigan Central RR main line between Grayling Yard and Cheboygan MI. I was able to salvage most of my buildings and electronics.

Now if you're standing with your back to the South wall. The space is 10 foot ten inches North wall: 10 foot 8 inches East wall and 20 foot West wall. I can go at an 40 degree angle from East wall to West wall.

  I have been toying with a point to point, but in my heart I know I would like a tail chaser winding along while my way frieght switchs industry. I want to include my 130 scale foot turntable and maybe a double decker any ideas to piont me in the right direction, I have been scanning mrr layout data base. Your help and input wiould be much appreciated 

Thanks 

Angelo

 

[fender777]

Myself I just like a point to point. Going around in a circle just does not do it for me anymore. Posta pic of the room.

[oldline1]

Angelo,

Hopefully your new start will give you a better size and shaped space to build in. I had to tear out my old layout with retirement and a move. My 14x16 train room is being finished inside as we speak. I'll have a slightly bigger space with better layout conditions and the fresh start gives more opportunities.

I agree with going point to point but I also like to have a continuous run provision so you can entertain friends who don't understand the fun of operation and for open house so you can talk to folks and not have to seriously watch the trains.

Best of luck with the new layout and send some pics of your progress.

Roger Huber

Deer Creek Locomotive Works

[mbinsewi]

I never understood a point to point layout, unless you have such a huge layout, the  train takes two hours run time to get from point A to point B.

I like watching a train wind it's way around a layout.

Mike.

[richhotrain]

mbinsewi

I never understood a point to point layout, unless you have such a huge layout, the  train takes two hours run time to get from point A to point B.

I like watching a train wind it's way around a layout.

Mike.

 

Same here. As Mike says, what is the point of a point to point layout?

As to that 130' turntable, work it into the new layout, whatever you do.

Rich

[hornblower]

Angelo

It can be prototypical to have both point-to-point AND continuous loop running.

I am modeling a "what-if" scenario based on a fallen flag known as the Santa Ana & Newport.  This short line was built to ship Pacific Northwest lumber arriving at a seaside wharf in "New Port" to a connection with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in Santa Ana, California.  A second line was built along the coast to Huntington Beach where it turned and headed northeast toward Westminster in an attempt to attract local agricultural business.  However, soft peat bogs meant construction stopped a little shy of Westminster. The result was basically a "U" of track around much of the area.

Through various somewhat underhanded deals, the Southern Pacific eventually gained control of this short line in anticipation of future commercial development of Newport Harbor.  Thus, the SP built extensions of the SA&N trackage to connect it to the SP main line which ran across the top of the "U".  The result was a loop of track around central Orange County.  The SP actually ran mixed (passenger and local freight) trains around this loop and dubbed them "Merry-Go-Round" trains.  Commercial development of Newport did not happen and the whole scheme eventually fell apart.  Very little of the original line survives. 

My "what-if" scheme assumes that the SA&N remained independent and operating into the 1950's with ongoing connections to the ATSF as well as newer connections and track rights with the SP and the Pacific Electric.  Operations include an SA&N version of a Merry-Go-Round train continuously lapping the "loop" with several other freight trains making point-to-point trips while dodging the Merry-Go-Round train.

[nealknows]

I’m going to build my new layout with a helix, and it will be point to point. My other layout has constant running. I opted to do the helix and point to point due to the space (or lack of space) in a 12’x13’ room with a door opening in the middle of one wall. My original thought was to have it on one level with a removable section to get in and out of the room, and have a peninsula for a yard. While I enjoy seeing trains run around a layout, I do enjoy switching operations. In the real world, trains run from one location (point) to another location (point). On my layout, I will have a commuter train going from each main station, with all local stops; 3 on each level. This will give the operator time to run the railroad while one of two other people can do switching on either level of the layout. I’m figuring 10-12 industries between the two levels and that will keep people busy for quite some time. I wouldn’t rule out a point to point. Just make your list of what you would like to have and see if you can make it work.

Good luck!

 

Neal

[Doughless]

Assuming you're in HO scale, you really don't have the space to do anything other than an around the room donut shaped layout, IMO.  I don't think you have enough space for a proper helix or even a nolix to create a longer mainline run.

It can have a scenic divider such as a tunnel, road bridge, or even a backdrop extending out perpendicular from the wall which would serve to separate the layout in terms of distance between the two points left and right of the tunnel/backdrop.  

You can have the entire layout run as a point to point switching layout with continuous running for visual appeal.  One train can run around the layout as you deliver cars around the layout with another loco.

[steemtrayn]

Any roundy-round can be operated as a point-to-point; just stop the train somewhere and change direction.

[Capt. Grimek]

Personally, I would heartily encourage anyone with less than a club sized layout to consider a continuous run option. Even with a point to point layout, it can provide a lot of mainline traffic from staging(s) and transfer runs to constantly feed your point to point.

There have been many times when I've gotten tired of working on the layout and just enjoy the opportunity to run continuously. A beverage of your choice, a nice stool (even if you usually stand or walk along with your train) and it can be not only relaxing "for a change" but a great way to break in new locomotives, test rolling stock, etc. while you either "zone out" or work on another project at your workbench.

Even an oval can be largely hidden behind scenery or a view block yet look realistic feeding into your (mostly) point to point railroad.

I agree, that on larger layouts or double deckers with long runs from end to end, that a purely point to point can be rewarding. In my smaller train room-not so much.

Jim

[ATSFGuy]

New House, New layout, New Everything!

Its a New Beginning!

What state did you move from, where are you now, and what was your layout based on?  (roadname, time period, operating practices, etc).