Basic Layout Track Plans
“Four basic types of layout track plans – Type A, the point to point road, is the closest to a real railroad. Type B, is also point to point but has a reversing loop on each end. Type C, is a continuous loop. Type D, is home to back, often used when space is greatly restricted. Having decided on the type of layout that fits your needs and space- or a combination of two types--“ From” Model Railroading 5th ed.” by Lionel Corp Staff
“Virtually all Model railroad track plans fall into one of the four basic categories or some combination of the four. Despite the complexity of the track work on a completed layout, the overall scheme will incorporate one or more of these basic plans, which include the closed loop, the dogbone, the figure eight and the point-to-point.” From “Getting Started with Lionel Trains” by Allan W. Miller
Critique: A figure 8 is a folded loop. But when a figure eight is inside a loop with four switches, reversing trains in both directions can be done
After reviewing these two descriptions of basic layout track plans, I decided my layout track plan is combination of multiple closed loops, the dogbone, the figure eight and the point to point. I also concluded my layout has many features of railroading and operating track plans and my layout includes the below features.
Original layout train board track plan control panel with oval and figure 8 and two loops and Point to Point operation
New layout track plan control panel with dogbone, and loop. With addition of new loop the outside loops of both track plans will allow operation of an L shaped loop
Figure 8 on left, part of dogbone on right and Wye bottom center
View of both track plan control panels, Wye in center and dogbone right lower corner
Charlie
