Continuse run

[Anonymous]

I am trying to decide wether to have a loop on my layout or not and any input is appriciated!

The Rock Island, gone but never forgoten[bow][bow][bow]

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I just like having a trian run on it's own, continuously .

[Anonymous]

[#ditto] I totally agree with emeraldisle.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I think we need the spell checker more than the loop.[:D] My layout actually consists of 2 reverse loops connected by a very short section of single track. The smaller of the 2 is a hidden that will be used for storage, the larger is actually the layout itself, and the single track is a helix that connects the two. I could run through if I wasn't storing trains on all of the yard tracks.

[Anonymous]

i too love the idea of being able to set the throttle and watch the trains run. my current railroad consists of a double figure-8, allowing for the trains to constanly be passing by. i think its also fun because it make you feel like you have to give rights to through trains when messing around the yard.

[IRONROOSTER]

It's handy for railfanning on your own layout. I am double tracking my main track around the layout room so I can easily run two trains at once on the main, plus a third on the branch.
Enjoy
Paul

[Jacktal]

Having at least one line set-up for continuous running is a must in my opinion,two or more being even better,with a little switching possibility.I believe "switching" layouts are great for group operations but since I'll be railroading alone,I went for continuous running so that I could have train(s) running while I work on the scenery.And when I feel lazy,I could just set it "on",sit back and enjoy it.

[AggroJones]

My layout is based on continuous running. Basically loops.

[Anonymous]

I'm for continuous loop and speel check. Some times you just gotta let the horses out and let them run.

Spurs, Branch lines and wyes are also a neccesity

[Anonymous]

I like having one running while I work on something else. And it's fun to just sit and watch with the kids as well.

[CP5415]

A continuous run is nice. Not always needed, but nice.
I have one, a 2 lap oval, on my layout.

Gordon

[Eriediamond]

My yet to be built, in design stage waiting for construction funds wil be a double loop layout with several farm type industries to give some switching duties. One part of the layout will have part of the two loops running parallel to each other, then split apart to give the illusion of of two seperate railroads. My reason for all this is basically the same as those already listed. Old McDonald is waiting patiently for the shipment of his new John Deere B tractor to come in to get his spring plowing done. His mules are getting old and kerosene is only six cents a gallon.

[Anonymous]

Having or not having a CONTINUOUS loop is certainly a personal choice. However, as stated, they do allow for running a train unattended. They are also nice for breaking in equipment. If you are into proto-typical operation, I can see where you might feel their not right. I suspect that most modelers would chose to have a loop.

[cp1057]

I posted a similar topic last year and was advised almost unaminously to build in continuous running. I can say now that it was good advice. When you show off your layout to visitors, especially non-modellers, there is a much better response/appreciation for what you are doing if there is a train orbiting the layout. Also there will be days when you just want to railfan and relax.

Charles
Hillsburgh Ontario

[Anonymous]

I guess it's up to me to defend the point that continuous running is not needed.

The first reason I see no need for it is that trains running in circles is quite simply put, boring. I would much rather run a train from Point A to Point B, simulating the hauling of some model goods or people. When a train goes in circles, it does just that: goes in circles. When a train runs between two yards or a yard and industry, it waits for other trains at signals, obeys train orders, etc; and the "crew" will have to throw switches, couple/uncouple cars, so on. It is much more fun and exciting to actually run trains rather than watch them race around.

Secondly, if one models a prototype, then one should not have his trains run in circles, unless the prototype is a zoo train. There are a few instances where real tracks do go in a circle (the Ashley Drew & Northern comes to mind), but the trains do not run in in continous circles (I use the term "circle" here to describe any track arrangement whereby a train will end up where it started, e.g. loop, mainline with reversing loops, etc.). I actually find it humorous when a modeller will claim to be a prototype modeller, and put all those little details into a model, and organize cities to look exactly like their real life counterpart, but then run trains in circles, destroying the effect. Simply put, real trains act as shuttles, moving goods between two points in a straight line.

On the point of breaking in new trains: Any new manufacture items really do not need breaking in. Modern motors and geartrains are of high quality right out of the box, as are any mechanical parts on rolling stock. If there is anything wrong that could be fixed by breaking in, then it could be fixed better by alleviating the problem on the workbench. Even if one still likes to break in trains, then he could still run it between two ends of a point-to-point layout, and switch directions at each end: the direction switching would actually break it in faster!

On the point of running trains unattended: it's a good thing people who think this way are not in charge of real railroads, or the BLE would have a fit. ;] I ask this: what is the point of running trains unattended? The point of model railroading is to be at the helm of little trains. And if one is trying to run an operating session and needs more trains to be run, then either he should invite some friends over to run them, or scale back operations so that extra trains are not needed for solo operations. One can switch an industry or the yard by oneself, which does not require other trains.

On the point of demonstrating the hobby to visitors: I have empirically proven that people whose perceptions of the hobby consist of trains running under the Christmas tree are actually more interested in scale operations than circle racing. At my local club, I have worked quite hard to set up a three main racetrack to be able to support operations by adding DCC, installing spurs, powering up atrophied switch machines and side tracks. I show people who have recently joined the club and hobby how to operate, and hand them throttles and give them some cars to swtich out. And you know what? They love it. Members who had given up on the layout due to lack of anything to do have started showing up more often and have shown great interest in the new direction the layout is taking; they tired of continous running long ago, and were yearning for something more. And in fact, showing guests continous running can actually be harmful to the hobby. If a potential future model railroader is limited to only seeing trains running in circles and has little interest in it, then he will not join the hobby. Everyone has been complaining about lack of newcomers; why not show some potential newcomers how interesting and entertaining this hobby actually is?

Ask yourself this: do you really want all your hard work in constructing benchwork, stringing wires, plastering painting carving ground-foaming tracklaying building gluing researching drying buying etc. to be reduced to a half-hour of watching what is essentially a screensaver?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lemscate

I guess it's up to me to defend the point that continuous running is not needed.

The first reason I see no need for it is that trains running in circles is quite simply put, boring. I would much rather run a train from Point A to Point B, simulating the hauling of some model goods or people. When a train goes in circles, it does just that: goes in circles. When a train runs between two yards or a yard and industry, it waits for other trains at signals, obeys train orders, etc; and the "crew" will have to throw switches, couple/uncouple cars, so on. It is much more fun and exciting to actually run trains rather than watch them race around.

Secondly, if one models a prototype, then one should not have his trains run in circles, unless the prototype is a zoo train. There are a few instances where real tracks do go in a circle (the Ashley Drew & Northern comes to mind), but the trains do not run in in continous circles (I use the term "circle" here to describe any track arrangement whereby a train will end up where it started, e.g. loop, mainline with reversing loops, etc.). I actually find it humorous when a modeller will claim to be a prototype modeller, and put all those little details into a model, and organize cities to look exactly like their real life counterpart, but then run trains in circles, destroying the effect. Simply put, real trains act as shuttles, moving goods between two points in a straight line.

On the point of breaking in new trains: Any new manufacture items really do not need breaking in. Modern motors and geartrains are of high quality right out of the box, as are any mechanical parts on rolling stock. If there is anything wrong that could be fixed by breaking in, then it could be fixed better by alleviating the problem on the workbench. Even if one still likes to break in trains, then he could still run it between two ends of a point-to-point layout, and switch directions at each end: the direction switching would actually break it in faster!

On the point of running trains unattended: it's a good thing people who think this way are not in charge of real railroads, or the BLE would have a fit. ;] I ask this: what is the point of running trains unattended? The point of model railroading is to be at the helm of little trains. And if one is trying to run an operating session and needs more trains to be run, then either he should invite some friends over to run them, or scale back operations so that extra trains are not needed for solo operations. One can switch an industry or the yard by oneself, which does not require other trains.

On the point of demonstrating the hobby to visitors: I have empirically proven that people whose perceptions of the hobby consist of trains running under the Christmas tree are actually more interested in scale operations than circle racing. At my local club, I have worked quite hard to set up a three main racetrack to be able to support operations by adding DCC, installing spurs, powering up atrophied switch machines and side tracks. I show people who have recently joined the club and hobby how to operate, and hand them throttles and give them some cars to swtich out. And you know what? They love it. Members who had given up on the layout due to lack of anything to do have started showing up more often and have shown great interest in the new direction the layout is taking; they tired of continous running long ago, and were yearning for something more. And in fact, showing guests continous running can actually be harmful to the hobby. If a potential future model railroader is limited to only seeing trains running in circles and has little interest in it, then he will not join the hobby. Everyone has been complaining about lack of newcomers; why not show some potential newcomers how interesting and entertaining this hobby actually is?

Ask yourself this: do you really want all your hard work in constructing benchwork, stringing wires, plastering painting carving ground-foaming tracklaying building gluing researching drying buying etc. to be reduced to a half-hour of watching what is essentially a screensaver?

[:-^][:-^][:-^][:-^][:-^][:-^][sigh]I like screensavers.[:)][:)][:)]

[Eriediamond]

Lemscate, I can see and understand your views on point to point prototypical operations and find no fault there. However some of us don't have the space for such operations in our homes for such a layout. I'm designing my layout with both continuos running and switching operations available to me in the limited amount of space available. If you find it humorous that my trains will run in circles, then an awful lot of us ought to give you some good laughs. I'm building my layout to suit my wants just as you should build yours. We are talking "home" layouts here not a club layout open to the public. I belong to a club also and I've seen some negatives come out of a large club layout. A family recently visited us with their young son. That young boy got a train set for Xmas and of coarse he had visions of his train operating like our club trains. His parents quickley sqwashed that idea for the obvious reasons. Myself and another member took them back to our storage area and showed them a 4x8 layout we built for Xmas display at various places of buisiness. It had your basic circle of track and some scenery and buildings on it. We placed a small train on it's track and fired it up. Guess what, we now have a new family member to our club all do to that little nonprotypical circle of track. Just goes to show you that sometimes all the high tech stuff can work against you . Trainboy asked for an opinion and a lot of us answered with our reasons. You did the same, but maybe not intentional, I kind of got the feeling of being put down because my trains run in circles. If you think my layout is a screen saver, thats all well and good, but don't put me down for it. One more thing, We have a real train near my home that runs in a real circle. It' called the Tweetsy RR. It goes in circles but still a lot of fun. I submit this with the hopes you and others will not take this as a personal flame as it isn't. Heck if we all thought alike we would all be driving Chevy pick-ups, eat moon pies and drink R-C cola and have Bubba for a brother-in-law.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lemscate
The point of model railroading is to be at the helm of little trains....

Actually lemscate, the "point" of model railroading is to enjoy it any way one likes....[:0]...nothing else matters in the slightest.

You like it your way, that is good, and I am happy for you. But if your way is "good" it is because it is your chosen alternative, a personal choice, not because other alternatives are "bad".

You are talking "down" to the majority of layout builders. You cover all of the personal prejudices that you have, that lead you to consider continuous running to be some sort of toylike abberation of the hobby. That is rather presumptuous of you, and I find that the tone of your overly long lecture, (disguised as a post,) is rather elitist.[B)]

With my own layouts, I've had continuous, point-to-point, out-and-back, and combinations of all three...as I have now. All designs are good, if they meet the needs and aspirations of their builders.
Another factor to keep in mind: Virtually every well known, "famous" model railroad ever featured in the model media, has had at least ONE continuous running element in its' design....the layouts built by the true giants of the hobby.
regards;
Mike[:D]

[Anonymous]

It all depends on what you want out of your modeling. The main reason I model trains is for relaxation and releaving stress. I like the detail and the large amount of different aspects involved in the hobby. I'm not a bolt or rivet counter but do care if things at least look like they belong in the right time period. The best thing about model railroading is that you can take it in what ever direction you want and to whatever degree or level you feel like. If you want to be a prottypical realist fanatic it's ok. If you want 6 continuous loops and just like to watch them go round and round then that's fine. There are snobs out there but just ignore them and do what you want. I have 2 loops so that trains may pass each other in opposite directions, 5 spurs and 1 passing track. All that gives me the varity I like.

RMax

[Anonymous]

I like lemscate's idea and do not think that I will include a continuse run because it takes alot of space. Thank you for your input though, you helped make an important decision for my layout!

[orsonroy]

Lots of people get lots of different things out of "playing trains". One big psychological benefit I think most of us get is in watching train run, while we try to shut down our overactive brains. I know I do, which is why while my layout is primarily a point-to-point, I designed the top deck so I could have a continuous run.

Every once in awhile, it's fun to watch 'em go "roundy-roundy"!

[eastcoast]

C ON T I N U O U S RUN depends on how much space you have to run
trains. I have 3 loops set up for continuous if I choose. These loops have
spurs and sidings to go elsewhere, but that only takes the flip of a switchtrack.

[ClinchValleySD40]

With 600' mainline, it's not needed.

[aluesch]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lemscate

I guess it's up to me to defend the point that continuous running is not needed.

The first reason I see no need for it is that trains running in circles is quite simply put, boring.

On the point of breaking in new trains: Any new manufacture items really do not need breaking in.

On the point of running trains unattended: it's a good thing people who think this way are not in charge of real railroads, or the BLE would have a fit. ;]

On the point of demonstrating the hobby to visitors: Everyone has been complaining about lack of newcomers; why not show some potential newcomers how interesting and entertaining this hobby actually is?

Lemscate,

You certainly may defend your position. But maybe you can consider some other rather interesting aspects of the hobby that you may not have detected yet.

On the point of boring: I have a dog bone layout with 4 hidden yards that serve as the end of the line. Each yard holds 8 trains. It is fascinating to see different trains coming and going, as one fellow said: like train spotting in your own basement.

On the point of breaking in new trains: At least one manufacturer I know off, Roco, still recommends to do a no-load break-in of their engines for at least 1 hour.

On the point of running trains unattended: You have a point if you model in a less than modern era. Most modern RR companies are using some form of centralized traffic control (CTC). If you think it is not prototypical and boring to have your layout controlled by such a system while you navigate your own train, then maybe you should give it a try.

On the point of demonstrating the hobby to visitors: Here is where a good continuous run layout controlled by a CTC, as you’ll find in a good DCC system, is very impressive to potential newcomers. Especially when those newcomers are young kids that see an entire layout controlled by a PC and yet you can still be the engineer of your train, if that is what you prefer! And isn't attracting young people to the hobby one of the major challenges we are facing today?

Model Railroading is the greatest hobby in the world for different reasons. One of them is: We all can enjoy it the way we like it the best.

Regards,
Art
http://www.mrsonline.net/

[Anonymous]

Oops, I forgot to put my little disclaimer in there that I thought I had made mandatory for all my expressed ideas. Well, here it is, hopefully not too late:

"This is my take on things. Probably everyone else feels differently, and for that I am glad, because it shows that others are capable of thinking for themselves. And to everyone his own."

Just an extension to my philosophy (read disclaimer above again if necessary) about space available. My own layout only fills about 2/3 of an 11'x11' room around the walls, and is point-to-point in HO. It is not a switching layout, but more or less centers on what boils down to yard transfer with minor switching. Operations consist of hooking a locomotive to a string of cars at one end, running it to the other, disconnecting, switching a little, and repeating. It is plenty enough to occupy one or two operators for some time due to certain characteristics I have built in. Small switching layouts without continuous run also occupy happy operators for whatever duration the operator wants to be occupied. And it goes without saying that large point-to-point layouts with *cough* 600' of mainline *cough* work just fine without it.

Again, please read the disclaimer above ;]

[Jetrock]

Personally I like switching--and I like small spaces. I must admit I find it odd to hear people refer to a switching layout as being "too big" as compared to a loop--when I think of switching layouts, I think of mini layouts like the Timesaver, shelf layouts, Roque Bluffs and other tiny layouts--or my own layout, seven square feet of switching!

I am still trying to decide whether to include a loop or not--if I do, it will primarily be for staging rather than for train-set type operation (once assembled, a northbound train passes out of sight on the loop and returns in the other direction as a southbound train.) The other option is a pair of fiddle yards, or an expanded point-to-loop operation with one fiddle yard.

There are prototypical examples of loops, though--trolley lines! I rode the SF Muni trolley this weekend, and their track plan is essentially a very-extended "folded dog bone" layout, with one loop at Castro & 17th and the other at Fisherman's Wharf--and trolleys running around and around in a circle is totally prototypical!

[mikebonellisr]

I think that you would regret not having that option when you just want to sit back and admire your handiwork...It's like watching a fireplace.IT'S O.K. to PLAY TRAINS!

[Jetrock]

That's what reversing units are for, I suppose...in switching, running things "back and forth" is no less realistic than running them "round and round"--and when I admire my handiwork I don't mind if things aren't in motion.

My first track plan nad a loop, it got kind of old after a while.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Eriediamond

My yet to be built, in design stage waiting for construction funds wil be a double loop layout with several farm type industries to give some switching duties. One part of the layout will have part of the two loops running parallel to each other, then split apart to give the illusion of of two seperate railroads. My reason for all this is basically the same as those already listed. Old McDonald is waiting patiently for the shipment of his new John Deere B tractor to come in to get his spring plowing done. His mules are getting old and kerosene is only six cents a gallon.

I don't think the railroad delivers to "Old McDonald", but more likely to the Implement dealer in the town nearest to "Old McDonald". You know, the one near the grain elevator.

Ed

[Eriediamond]

LOL Ed, Your right Ed, well partialy right. You see back in 1948 we had a feed mill in town that was served by the Erie RR. However no grain elevators were there though. It was what the name implies and milled feed for all the dairy farms in the area . Everything back then in that area was shipped in burlap sacks and stored in their big warehouse. All the crops raised on our dairy farm and others were for our own use to feed our cows. McDonalds tractor will probably arrive in a box car along with other farm machinery the dealer ordered, to the town depot for off loading at the dock there. Might even bring in that new fangle thing they call a combine. Times are chang'in ya know!!