Wow! I guess I got my track plan right!
I had planned for continuous running right from the start. It just seemed to me that a PTP layout would get boring really fast, at least for me. No offense to those who enjoy PTP!
I have added several switching opportunities into the plan including a small five track yard which will hold about 40 cars, two passenger stations (one a small urban station and the other a rural whistle stop), a diesel engine service facility, a freight/passenger car repair facility, two caboose service tracks, separate steam engine service facilities, and about seven other destinations that will serve a small coal mine, a feed mill and several factories.
I'm happy with the plan!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
My JNR mainline is a continuous loop - but the only times something simply runs orbits is when entertaining mundane visitors or running in a unit of motive power after overhaul - while the rest of the world sits with the scale time clock off. The hidden part of the loop (about 65% of its total length) is home to a half-dozen staging arrangements, designed to deliver the appropriate train at the proper tunnel portal at the timetable-mandated moment - well over 100 times a fast-clock 'day.'
The TTT, my coal-hauling short line, is a pure point-to-point, clearly visible from interchange to colliery. JNR locos are embargoed from the TTT's snakewiggle curves, and the TTT's collection of superannuated tank locos are (to put it mildly) unwelcome on JNR tracks. Officially, the TTT has no staging, as such - but there is a rather complex connection that accepts empty coal units and delivers units with identical car numbers loaded. The underground connection that completes the empties in/loads out exchange can hide up to three complete trains at one time.
When I'm in 'serious operation' mode, every train that moves runs from a starting point to a stopping point on timetable authority. It might actually complete a lap (several connected DMU schedules do) but not without stopping for a stay in staging while other trains do their thing where the room lights shine. When it moves again, it will have a new number and a fresh clearance card.
I like operating my way. It would probably drive the 'continuous run' operators right up the wall. One size does not fit all.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - TTTO, 24/30)
I am inclined to agree with y'all that if you have the space, a continuous run with staging is the best idea. Having said that, I'm in the process of building yer another PTP with staging, simply because I want the trainroom (basement) to be open, and I want nothing to do with another duck under. Of course, if I build this correctly, I could have this connection on casters that links the staging on either end....
I also have a branch line which is strictly point to point because it's a dead end. The locomotives have to do a run around move at the end to switch directions. But once back onto the main, it's back in the loop. Plus I operate the loop like it is PTP. Every time a train pulls into the staging yard it is at the end point, but instead of turning around it becomes a new train with refreshed car card waybills ready to go on another run.
I do think point to point has it's place: Layouts that are too narrow because of space restrictions, Also layouts that are really really big so that the points are a considerable distance apart such as a large club layout, And switching puzzle layouts where the emphasis is on local switching.
Agree. Due to space limitations, my current layout is pure PTP, but I miss having that ability when I need it. Thinking of a slight redesign.
One of my favorite layouts, years ago, was a classic twice around, but using hidden staging to connect the two main towns. One thing I did was place a bypass on the inner, lower loop so I could send trains round it while I focused on switching at one town or the other.
jim
I am sure this topic will get a few dissenting views . I agree tho. I changed to a continous loop, about 4 scale miles and it takes quite a while to traverse the whole route. The loop is nice when non railroad people are over, and those types usually just want to see a train. I often run it as a point to point. When I was testing my wireing for DCC it was nice to let the trains just run, and see where the problems are and also to test the endurance of the whole system etc.
Mike
Modeling something, not sure what, but it involves F units.
I have to agree. We're simulating PTP, we don't have to force ourselves to emulate it by design. There's nothing wrong with going in circles sometimes. I let the standard gauge (continuous run with staging) roll when working or operating on the narrowgauge (point to loop). So I have both, but if I only had one it would be continuous run with staging.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Here is the best quote that I have read about track design: "I wish I had done continuous run with staging."
I can't think of anything that sums it up better. Good examples of this are David Barrow's Cat Mountain & Santa Fe, and Eric Brooman's Utah Belt.
A long time ago I tried point to point with hidden staging and it wasn't any fun. Soon I blasted a hole through a mountain and made a continual loop. It wasn't until the next version of my layout I changed the hidden staging into scenic and fixed it so it was self staging instead of having to back a train into a tunnel so it can come out later.