Because some of us care more about running trains then what looks real, and we like having as much train as possible on the layout, running as many as we can at once.  That is hard to do with a linear setup.  That's my 2 bits.

That's a very good assessment of the situation. Some like switching, so a point to point linear operation is more appropriate. Some like to watch trains run (loop runners). Some fit in between.

I've become enamored with the Free-Mo single-line module concept and have been designing around that. I've designed several switching decks, one of which I entered in the micro layout contest and another I'm beginning construction on. Operationally, they're all linear. The club layout is pretty much a continuous loop, but it was designed with the mindset of running several trains at once for visitors. We do have switching areas and are planning to add a couple more. On occasion, we run switch jobs in between through trains on the primary mainline -- real fun and requires concentration.

Isn't the fun in the hobby the fact that you can build what you like?  I don't particularly care for the gobs of track layouts but that doesn't mean those that do are wrong.  My single track layout was designed for the tight space in my basement and the fact that 99% of the time I am the sole operator. It is linear and the trains use the layout as a stage, rather than the other way around.  That was my choice.  But for those that build those multi train layouts, enjoy!!

I have a fair sized layout. I built it in sections. There are towns and cities and yards and rural and city areas...the list goes on. There are also levels. Every area connects. Some of the turns are tighter in some areas restricting the size engines and cars that can move to the area.

I very much like running many trains at once. When I'm on my game I can have 8 trains running, but I have to pay attention. There all 4 distinct loops but they do have feeds out to other tracks.

Lately I have been planning in my mind a point to point run. It would go from my industrial area I now have and travel about 40 feet to a coaling area. After all these years this is the first time I have wanted a point to point. Just two loan 40 foot tracks.

I for one John, subscribe to your school of layout design. For me this hobby is not about running trains, it is about simulating railroad operations.

My layout is based on real railroads in my local area. Trains enter from a staging/holding yard, and travel through the layout, either eastbound or westbound. Some will stop at one of the yards to be sorted and the cars subsequently delivered to local industries. Others will just pass through without stopping.

The original plan had no loops for continuous running, except to go through the staging area. This was done by having the entire mainline form a reverse loop, and the staging form a second reverse loop, with single track connecting the two. I have since added a cutoff to allow for normal loop operation for display purposes.

I have a 8x18 layout that has no scenery. 

It consists of a two loop mainline, connected by crossovers, and a yard. 

The yard has three staging tracks, a run through track, a yard lead, an engine track, a caboose track, and a wye that completes a reverse loop. 

My trains exit the north end of the yard and proceed northbound for 10-12 laps and arrive at their desintation. Entering the south end of the next yard they stop, switch out some cars and prepare for the return trip. As they exit they yard they slowly proceed through the reverse loop, then southbound onto the main, and return to their point of origin. 

i think the ruling factor in O scale is the size.  from what i read here, most modelers are lucky to get a 10' x 12' space and often it's smaller.  operating steam on a linear layout, you need to turn locomotives.  turntables take up an inordinate amount of space as would a pair of balloon tracks at each terminus.  a wye track might be possible, but then switching and the even less reliable auto-coupling come into play.

my weakness is clockwork trains.

only a few of those can even reverse.

The current edition of OGR shows an On30 layout in a tiny space, and it has a

"Christmas tree" loop.  If you just want to sit and watch trains run, you are going

to have that loop, for. otherwise, you are on your feet thowing switches at a balloon

loop or wye at each end and paying close attention to where trains are, or blow

a switch.  So real railroads run, and so I have designed mine.  But someone above

eventually added in a connection to a point-to-point to provide continuous running.  I don't see that for me, but????  I do not ever see myself with a layout paved with track...such layouts to me look too "busy", and unrealistic.  I want mine to look like trains run through the countryside.  Different strokes.....your money, your time, your

way.

I belong to a club that has a large HO layout.  There is about 4,000 feet of HO track.  The club layout has ample space and opportunities to run trains from A to B to C, etc.  Trains can originate and terminate at many points.   Operators can walk with trains around the layout using DCC command control.  

I have found that most club members, however, are loop runners.   That is, they run their trains around the layout time and time again.  Club members prefer to stand in one spot and just watch their trains run.  I think that many model railroaders are more akin to train fans instead of train operators.

The club also has a relatively large garden railroad with both G and O (3-rail) trains.  Both of these track plans were designed for public display and are essentially large loops.  Again, most of our members just want to watch the trains run.  

Joe

I'm not bashing those that have Spaghetti Bowl layouts....

isn't that a bash.

For pure point-to-point, you can always run a pair of geeps, run around at the end, then run back the other way. This is modeled after the Redlands Loop in San Bernardino County.

My ideal layout would look like a point-to-point, with a double track mainline, but with a reversing loop (perhaps hidden) at each end so that if the mood struck me, I could open the throttle,  sit in a recliner, and watch the trains go by.

When I designed my current layout, I made a list of things of wanted. Included in that list was being able to run two trains (two loops of track), a reversing track for each loop and a siding for each loop. I laid the track so that I could remove two straight sections and replace them switches at a later date so the trains could move from one loop to the other.

I left the switches out because I had a 2 year old daughter (at the time) and leaving them out meant one less chance for an accident. I don't think it's an issue anymore, but in the past six years I can't ever recall wishing I could move a train from one loop to the other either.

How many train sets have you ever seen that did not come with a complete circle (or oval) of track? Not many more have come with a switch (or switches).

J White

I think a long-departed model railroad enthusiast, Jerry Drake, had the best sense of humor about this subject.  His layout was called "The Bent Spaghetti Lines", abbreviated 'BSL', or, more to the point, simply BS!  

Jerry and his wonderful, loving wife, Terry owned/managed the 'Ole Sole Mio Restaurant' in Bay City, MI, for many, many years.  In fact Jerry and Terry were quite the cut-up entertainers and were well-known among the New York and Hollywood crowd who would frequent their restaurant when in the area.  The walls of the restaurant were lined with photos of the celebs with the Drakes taken at the restaurant. 

The restaurant was located in a rather industrial-looking building.  The living quarters were upstairs, and so was Jerry's beloved HO railroad....The Bent Spaghetti.  The name actually paid homage to the Italian fare for which Ole Sole Mio Restaurant was famously known.  Jerry was the master chef....an incredible cook. 

Anyhow, he loved poking fun at all the critics of the hobby, celebrating their pet peeves rather than paying homage to them.  His layout was, indeed, the proverbial 'spaghetti bowl' of trackwork.  But he and his model railroading buddies had more fun and laughs than you'd find at a comedy hall.  Jerry Drake was an avid promoter of the hobby, too. 

I follow with interest about the periodic big get-together at the NJ Hirailers, and the famous eats that certain individuals prepare for the event.  It reminds me about Jerry and one of the periodic events he'd hold at the restaurant.  He'd invite all his railroading buddies for a special night of trains....and a Hobo's Feast, featuring his famous Hobo Stew.  Following hobo tradition, the HUGE kettle in which Jerry 'brewed' the stew featured chicken, pork, sausage, beef, all sorts of veggies...everything in big chunks, just as they might have been thrown into the common pot by the hobos returning from their local scavenging.  Coupled with fresh baked loaves of bread, it was a feast to die for (or 'from', if you were a cardiologist!). 

Anyway, Jerry would tell the pickers-of-nit regarding their opinions of this-and-that, including layout design, that the hobby afforded him too much fun to take anything seriously.  I know for a fact that his infectious attitude about this rubbed off on even the staunchest protophile. 

Jerry passed away in the late 70's, his favorite engine, a 2-4-6-8 articulated he created buried with him.  Those of us fortunate enough to have known him obviously reflect on his lessons-in-life when familiar 'arguments' still surface. 

C'mon, this hobby is for fun!  That's what Jerry said, and I still believe it wholeheartedly!

KD

After reading the various posts, I just wanted to clarify to be absolutely clear...when I posted this thread my intention was not to: knock, insult, aggravate or disrespect anyone's choice of layout design.  As I've said many times before, I've seen spectacular layouts both spaghetti bowl and linear.  You have to look no further than John Allen to see how awesome any layout can be!  His original G & D had super-sharp curves and was less than 8 x 4--a mass of spaghetti bowl layout...and it was then and still is now second-to-none!

My intent for this original post was to respectfully suggest to future designers and builders to create well thought designs versus simple circles of track.  I do understand space constraints.  However, a linear design can be accomplished in a small area with careful planning--as easily as a circle of track.

Some whom posted and others I know have developed layouts that are linear point-to-point lines with an option for continuous running so at times the person may simply watch vs. operate the line.  This is the best of both worlds.

I wrote this especially for newcomers or novice track designers/planners that they may research ideas to develop a plan that will be interesting for years to come.  And please forgive me, but the vast majority of people will become bored swiftly watch the same train circle the same loop of track over and over again.     

Lastly, this is the greatest hobby ever! with so many facets in this hobby to offer anyone years of challenges and interest.  I'm glad to have finally added on to this forum where others are enthusiastic as I and have a multitude of great ideas to share! I have read many interesting comments in my very short time here.