Originally Posted by TurtleLinez:
I appreciate everyone's advice about how a Timesaver and Inglnook layouts are games or a wrong direction. I think it would be enjoyable. My problem has been coming up with anything better that will fit into my 144" x 30" space. I am open to suggestions.
Secondly, I really do not plan on switching with the DD40. I would likely just run it up and down the tracks. Better than having it collect dust. So I am not really caring about it being "goofy" in terms of switching. I most likely will just exercise it as opposed to switch with it.
I think an Inglenook and/or a Timesaver could be a totally worthwhile layout, *if* you are really into the type of puzzle action they provide. (I certainly am!!)
The criticism of each is that they aren't necessarily realistic representations of actual railroad track plans (not entirely true in the case of the Inglenook), and, if included as part of a larger layout, may in fact inhibit the simulation of realistic railroad operations.
But regardless, if you're trying to get maximum switching action into the kind of space we're talking about here, whatever you come up with is going to be similar in some ways to an Inglenook or Timesaver... i.e. if you include both facing and trailing spurs you'll need a runaround loop, and because space is limited, spurs will only hold so many cars, etc.
So really it's just a question of degree, like with anything!
I think the DD40 could be totally satisfactory as the simulated long distance locomotive that might be delivering freight consists for switching and/or hauling off built-up trains for "points beyond."
Maybe you can even include a de-mountable staging track for this purpose?
Steve