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This is a layout design concept presented for ideas and feedback. I do not have a specific layout / space in mind, just trying to talk about it in the abstract. This is a concept to increase the length of a mainline in limited space which is often a problem. The goal is realistic operations, rather than display, but with longer running mainline times. The idea is to use one or more loops that a mainline train would follow several times to extend running time and distance. I have imagined a passenger railroad as an example. Imagine a hypothetical railroad that runs from City A to City C, with a station (B) in between. The numbers are units of distance (ie miles or whatever). The top drawing is a schematic of the railroad.

 

The second picture shows the hypothetical railroad translated into a hypothetical layout. A train departs terminal A and then enters the mainline extender loop at distance 2. It goes around the loop three times (or any number of times) and then leaves the loop at distance 10. After a stop at the station B, the train enters another extender loop at 14. Again it goes around the loop three times and leaves the loop at distance 22. Thus the run time would be much longer than leaving Terminal A, going directly to station B and then directly to terminal C.

 

The loop would probably not be a circle like the second one is shown as that would look poor. Depending on the layout space, a larger loop would be desirable for appearance. There might be some automation involved to count the number of revolutions of the loop and throw the switches. This would get very complicated if the mainline is two directional. A passing siding would probably be needed on the extender loop. A double track mainline would also be very complicated with trains crossing the opposite mainline to come and go from the loop.

 

Has anyone ever tried this concept.  Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Bill

 

Mainline19

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Last edited by ogaugenut
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I have done mainline extenders, but never in the manner you are using.  My approach is to have a loop to loop mainline with City A and City C located above the loops and City B coming off the mainline extender in a peninsula.  The train would depart City A, dropping down by a connecting track to the mainline, where it would run around under City C and back under City A and then as it came around it would be switched onto the peninsula where City B is located  It would then proceed out under City C and under City A again before being switched onto the connector track taking it to City C.  This would not have the pure linear layout that yours does, but it would allow for extended mainline running between your terminal cities.  The reversing directions would also allow you to stop at City B multiple times switching directions each time, thus allowing you to treat City B as multiple stops.

Interesting concept, Bill.  So, drawn as you have it now, would the two circles or ovals be hidden ?   

To answer Jim's question about how the train returns to City A.  If you really want to run a prototypical passenger train, let's say, simply pull, head first into either one of the stub end tracks, uncouple the locomotive and couple a new loco onto the rear of the train.  

Layouts such as this are perfect candidates for RDCs, Interurbans, Trolleys, etc. 

I had not thought about hiding the ovals, but they could be hidden or partially hidden without changing the concept.  I think the ovals need to have some size or they will look silly if they are too small.  Hidden would help if they are small.

I used the example I did because I am also thinking about building a passenger terminal.  I had thought about engine escape tracks.  The two terminals shown in the example could be tied together for display running.

Bill

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