Decisions

Personally, I would get bored with just two loops going around continuously.  I would want sidings to businesses, a yard etc.

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Dennis

You might also look at the two loops with cross-overs and yard sidings, the cross-overs could be used as passing sidings to add interest while doing operations.

Ray

Depends upon if you enjoy watching the trains run and passing each other, if you'd like to have a train running thru scenery and maybe street running in one area, or if you like switching and intend to operate it as such. A single main could easily have a passing siding for two train operation as well. What are your interests and will it be something you will have guests over for?

I think you can work in two main lines as well as interesting sidings. Speaking from the prospective of someone interested in passenger trains, there is nothing like having two of them travelling in opposite directions. Jut my opinion.

Thanks for all your replies. Liam ,I'm not really into switching but it's nice to have space to park a few cars or engines.

       

This is the key.

 

Jeff Davis

I would put in as many mains as possible.  Go for it. 

Pretty much decided on two mains we'll see where it goes from there.

Well I have tracks laid out now. At this point I think I will run trains for awhile before laying roadbed and attaching track to see if I'm happy or maybe want to change things. I have two mains with a passing siding that is about half the length of the mains (app.16ft). No yard tracks at this point. To add yard I would need to add width to one shelf. Doable but haven't decided. Either way there is not a lot of scenery room mostly on the corners.

radar

I have a very similar round-the-room layout[unfinished] 9x16 in a 9x19 attic room. I have a dual mainline with 072/084 curves on one end and 084/096 on the other. Obviously I like wide curves and running round and round-slowly with short trains.

 

Access is via a hinged drop section to avoid duckunder.  Track is Gargraves Flextrack and track switches are Ross and Frank Curtis operated by Tortoise Motors.

 

One side, a Service Yard, entered and exited from the inner main, is 41" wide the other side to be the Village with Siding--36" wide. Originally I left the triangular corners in the rear open for access but later built in both--one for a Denim Mill and one a Sawmill/Lumber Yard.

 

I built it with recycled lumber, track, electrial and operating/control equipment from a dismantled large layout down the hall[now the Domestic CEOs Exercise and TV Room].

 

Photos of the 41" side with Enginehose and Yard Service Towers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice very nice layout, Dewey. That yard switch would save some real estate, but I'm using the track and switches (Gargrave both) that I had on my old layout to save money. Like the drop down bridge and I will probably do something like that also. Next up will be to hook up my DCS system run trains for awhile and see where I may want to change anything. Your layout is certainly inspirational thanks for posting.

Another day and I got the DCS hooked up and got to run the trains. The outer and inner loop are pretty tight on the turns. So I ran my E8A/B with passenger cars on outside and my largest steamer with freight consist on the inner loop. They cleared by just a fraction. Wanted to make sure before going any further. Now trying to decide whether to put down foam roadbed or just keep track on the foam I put on the plywood. Tested it not appreciable difference in sound and marginal difference in appearance.

Well I have finished laying my track. I have two mains, a passing siding about half the length of the mains. Off this passing siding I have a two track stub on one side of the layout and a one track siding on the other. Presently I am soldering my feeders. Have cut the layout in half into two power districts divided into about four blocks each and powered through Fixed one and fixed two respectfully. Trains seem to be able to crawl around layout smoothly. Next up wire up my switches. Happy with progress thus far. It's been fun getting back into it after a year in mothballs. At some point I'd like to get some pictures but camera is not my greatest tool in the bag.

If your real estate is limited for a double main side by side... Go up one on top of the other.  Use landscape and mountains to only show one at a time in various areas.  Depending on the size of your room you can get them back level in one area of your layout so trains can go from one main to the next.

 

In order to avoid steep grades you can have one line go up while the other line is going down.  This again helps if real estate is an issue.  I did this in an area of my layout... one line is going up 3 inches and the other is going down 3 inches.  by the time the lines cross I have my 6" of clearance.

 

Good Luck.  How 'bout some pics?

Ron

 

radar493,

   Sounds good so far, now start planning a 2nd level to your layout.

PCRR/Dave