Oval Operations

[Anonymous]

How many modelers here have an oval layout? Is it actually possible to realistically run a realistic operation with no or only one siding? For example an auto-rack train, intermodal train, or passenger service? I have an around the wall layout with a hole in the middle for the operator, and I just keep wondering about the trackplan I have.[:(]

[Don Gibson]

'Realistic'or convenient? A mile of trackage in HO is 61'.

To BE realisitic, the best we can do is is 'simulate. Railroad's pick-up, transport, and deliver from one or more points to another . They only run in circle's in our basements - or plywood layout's, or our head's..

99% of Railroad's run single track with passing sidings. A basement around-the-wall allows maximum running with infinite trackside town's and industries to serve. One major yard allow's sending and receiving from both end's.

I run point to point with one major passing siding, serving industries along the way - using two walls. Since it does not take long to traverse 36' (1 ft/second @ scale = 60MPH) I am in no hurry to get from one town from another.

MAIN THING is to have delivery and pickup points, and use the main to get there.

If you can, use a whole wall for a Yard:

[trainfan1221]

You can really open a can of worms with this one. Firstly, the term "oval" seems to have a stigma with it, and I prefer "continuous loop". Secondly, a lot of the so called professional modelers don't consider it realistic unless its a point to point layout, with staging yards at the end. Although I do have these on mine. If you have a loop or oval design, you can simulate mileage by the amount of times around. I like to watch my trains from various angles so it isn't the same scene over and over. As long as you take things into consideration like train length so the engines aren't their own pushers (I admit, I stretch it on this one sometimes) and have things to do on the layout, it works effectively enough. At least in my opinion. A lot of people also just model one scene, which I can appreciate even though I don't do it.

[trainfan1221]

Forgot to mention, I do model intermodal,autorack, and everything else. Just no passenger operations.

[Anonymous]

A point-to-point layout with staging and good running distance in between would be nice, but we all can't have that. For my 2 1/2' x 5' layout, I have three loops (instead of just one), which helps greatly in minimizing the "racetrack" effect of a simple oval (but at the expense of three tracks running through the same scene). I basically operate a fictitious local up and down a branch, and I emulate distance between the switching locations by running extra loops in between. It's not the same as having a larger point-to-point layout, but I do squeeze a bit of running and switching in a session, I do get a sense of going somewhere, and there is the possibility of a bit of variety from session to session. But when you only have so much room, you have to make some compromises.

---jps