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Single Or Double Track For My New Layout

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 5:42 AM

SeeYou190

Single track works great with operations sessions and club layouts. It is definitely much more fun than the simple operation of an East/West double track mainline.

Double track is best for a lone operator that wants to do switching while another train runs. The chances of train interference (collision) are reduced with double track main..

Can't speak to operating sessions and club layouts because I don't do either. But, I totally agree with Kevin on a preference for double track mainlining for a lone wolf operator like me who also likes to do switching.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 5:33 AM

This is what I have learned:

.

Single track works great with operations sessions and club layouts. It is definitely much more fun than the simple operation of an East/West double track mainline.

.

Double track is best for a lone operator that wants to do switching while another train runs. The chances of train interference (collision) are reduced with double track main.

.

That is my two cents.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Monday, January 7, 2019 10:52 PM

Do you have a prototype that you are modeling? If so, what was their practice?

Otherwise, it depends on the type of railroad you are modeling. If you are thinking of modeling a main line on a large railroad, probably double track would be the way to go. If a smaller railroad with less traffic, they would not be making the capital investment in double track, so single track with passing sidings would be the thing; with maybe some double track in cities, towns, and terminal areas to ease congestion there.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Danbury Freight Yard
  • 459 posts
Posted by OldEngineman on Monday, January 7, 2019 10:48 PM

You might do it like actual railroads do: double track in congested areas, single track in the "more open spaces"...

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Monday, January 7, 2019 10:37 PM

What type of running do you want to do?  Do you want to just let trains run around while you railfan or do you want to do a lot of switching, somewhere in between?  Single track with some sidings for looks, if you just want to run trains with the possibility of some operations, double track with sidings would give you the most operational possibilities.

Your prototype, era and personal desires all factor in.

Good luck,

Richard

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • 198 posts
Posted by Outsailing86 on Monday, January 7, 2019 9:57 PM

Single track with sidings, but what’s your prototype? 

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 2,505 posts
Single Or Double Track For My New Layout
Posted by caldreamer on Monday, January 7, 2019 9:45 PM

Before we get our new house I will be designing my new layout.  It will located in the basement which is a requirment for any house that we purchase. I will be runnIng a DCC system and will have to decide if I want to have single track with sidings, double track or double track with sidings. Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks In Advance

       Caldreamer

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