point to point layouts

That's fairly easy to answer: 

In the nearly five years that I have been editor of the magazine, I haven't received, or been notified of, any true point-to-point layouts in O gauge.  If I receive such a submission or notification, and if the layout is deemed worthy of publication in our pages, it would certainly be given full consideration.  After all, that is the way most prototype roads operate, and if one has the space available it is a viable option.

The truth of the matter is that very few true point-to-point layouts likely exist in O gauge or in most any other scale.  Many layouts may have a combination of point-to-point and some loop running potential, but in my years in this hobby I've seen very few true point-to-point operations (probably have seen more in Large Scale than in most of the other scales).  In addition to the space requirements--aside from a short switching pike of some sort--my guess is that many or most hobbyists still prefer to have some continuous running capability on their layouts.

Get them to me and I'll see that they are published.  Just e-mail me for the Author Guidelines.  But keep in mind that the layout will need to be more than just track on plywood and that the article and photos will need to come together in a presentation likely to interest a good number of our readers.

I have a Lionel 0-31 based point to point layout under construction. 48" from the floor, TMCC, all manual #042 turnouts in a somewhat "postwar" modeling style. All track is in place and some scenery but no structures as of yet. Theme you ask? Steel Mill Railroading. NYC/P&LE, Blast Furnace, Open Hearth and a Billit/Structural Mill. Size is 12' by 19' with 6' by 4' of the space taken up by the stair way.

Rick.

Rick,  After the description of your layout,  we are on the edges of our chairs.  Please some pictures or video.

I see "point-to-point" as an operating scheme and not necessarily a track plan.

A layout can have provision for continuous running when desired, but yet be operated from one point to another.

There are many reasons for including a continuous run such as breaking in or troubleshooting an engine, showing the layout to kids and non-train type visitors, and for those evenings when you just want to sit back and watch them run, among many others.

My layout is a long U-shaped around the walls plan with a return loop and yard at each end. I can run point-to-point between the two yards (cities) when desired, but still have the continuous run option when that is more convenient.

Jim

Oh-boy Marty...

I do not know how to post photo's, plain and simple!

Is there a "post" on the OGR Board as to "How to post photo's"?

Rick.

Yup:

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/4245430021234692

Try it, you'll like it!

Pete

I do not have a photo of the Open Hearth/Mill area....hummmmm. Not yet anyway!

Thanks Pete!

Rick.

I agree with Jim on that point.  In many or most cases a pure point-to-point is impractical, however desirable.  But a layout that operates as a point-to-point is certainly a possibility for those who have the space and design the layout with that type of operation in mind.

And to my way of thinking, a focused theme is almost a requirement for a point-to-point line, and most here probably know that I'm a big proponent of theme modeling.

Ok, I clicked "add caption" and explained the photo's above but it did not make it into the post! Back to the drawing board I guess. First photo is the Blast Furnace area, second is the "port" area. Two great points Of point to point are: no duck unders or inaccessable areas such as a return loop against the wall.

Rick

quote:

Two great points Of point to point are: no duck unders or inaccessable areas such as a return loop against the wall.

You are obviously thinking in only one plane of mind.

"You are obviously thinking in only one plane of mind."

What? I like my layout, I like point to point.

Rick.

Point-to-piont model railroads are the best way to capture prototype operations.  I built one (S Scale) about 20 years ago, and there were no easy provisions for loop running or even loop-to-loop by design. 

The one thing I missed was the ability to kick back, "zone out" and just let things run. 

So, when I had to tear it down for some basement rework, I built a new layout for loop running.

Rusty

I have seen many point-to-point operations in HO scale.  It was quite impressive to watch the "real life" operations going on.  Most I visited worked their tracks like real trains with divider separating two towns, moving trains and consists', dropping cars at various points and picking up others.  Most trackage was arranged in a "U" shape with division of plywood painted on both sides symbolizing two towns or areas. 

The clubs used paper movement orders and various types of communications, even morse code keys.  There were various divided sections for control of trains given to individual club members. 

I believe a point-to-point in a smaller gauge, like HO, provided more realism in a confined space.

TEX

Steve

My present 11.5x12 layout can be both, simply by removing the liftout bridge:

I like the point-to-point layout for performing switching duties.  A loop layout would be more favorable to run passenger trains.

I do a lot of switching without the bridge in place.  When I get a train made to either leave the small yard or to come back to the yard I install the bridge.

I have a 2-pronged plug that provides power to the bridge section and plug it in when I'm ready to use it.  I've been doing this with power applied to the rest of the layout with no ill effects, so I see no need to install an On/Off switch.

A small room can be used for either type, but the visual aspect of either type suffers.

Currently under construction, my modular Fastrack layout is point-to-point with reverse loops at each end. Coal mine on one end and an Iron Works as the main customer on the other end. Have been documenting the process with photos starting at unfinished basement to current benchwork construction.

Bruce

What I have PLANNED, and as yet there are only a couple of temporary"scenes" on

utility tables, and no connected trackwork for trains, is a point to point, with a Y connection/engine turning area with a "Class 1" railroad, at one end,  and a reverse loop around the engine house at the other.  All this is on big sheets printed out with the Atlas track program.  It is imagined as a modified "U", with at least one branch off of it capable of stand alone operation (switching can go on there, to include the movement of cars to the main line interchange), without disturbing main line operations (and this is hoped to be up and running first, to have something running..as a point to point on the point to point)   Two branches are planned, one mountain logging and mining, another prairie grain handling, each stand alone switching point to point branches, one planned with a turntable, other with no reversing capability.  All my attention has been to building rolling stock and structures,....no reality yet with regard to a layout.  The benchwork has been an unappealing obstacle (druther build models than hammer nails) ...so..not happening fast.  (wonder if anybody has bought a couple of dozen of these folding office type

utility tables and built a layout on them...with semi permanently connecting their

legs...perforated metal strapping?.., and covering all with Homasote, or whatever?)

Sounds and looks like the makings of a fine magazine article, Bruce!  Shoot me an e-mail (editor@ogaugerr.com) at your convenience. 

I said it on another forum and I'll say it here: This is an absolutely brilliant track plan.

Pete

And once again, I'll say "Thanks Pete!"

Excited to finally begin benchwork, slowly but surely.

Allan, email sent.

Thanks.

Bruce

Bruce and Bob,

Excellent examples of what I meant by having point to point operation with the option of continuous running.

Bruce's is actually very similar to mine with an extra "island" added. I think you'll enjoy this railroad.  Looking forward to some in-progress photos (and the magazine article).

Bruce, you might want to consider spring switches on each of the return loops. They take a lot of the wear and tear off the switch machines.

Jim

I know of the largest Lionel-Point to Point/All around layout!

Mike Stella in West Covina California!! I would like to see his layout in OGR!!!!!!!!!!

"You are obviously thinking in only one plane of mind."

 

 What? I like my layout, I like point to point.

 Rick.

Swoooosh! That one went right over your head, eh?

The one thing I missed was the ability to kick back, "zone out" and just let things run. 

Making the layout multi-level, if you connect each end of the point-to-point with a helix, you can operate in the best of both worlds!

That article is already in the works, Jim!  Actually, there may be several articles.  

I would be happy to explore that possibility with him.  Can you put me in touch with him?

Allan, maybe this could be a series if there are enough point to point layouts. I'm planning a short electric mining line that will be point to point. Not sure if it will connect with the main line or not, at this point. No pun intended.  Don

This nice little pike operates point to point.

http://www.pennwestrr.com/

A gorgeous layout that nicely illustrates Jim Policastro's earlier point about how the operational scheme and potential is really more important than a strict point-to-point track design.  This layout combines the best of all worlds--continuous running, point-to-point capability, and plenty of operational potential.

Point to point would require a wye or turntable and bypass tracks on each end make steam era operation realistic.  Space is an issue in 0 for most of us. 

Point to point requires constant attention.  Some of us like to start them and watch them run.  Some of us run multiple trains on three loops at once.  I can run 5 trains on three loops. Two of the loops can operate two trains at a time.  That can require constant attention.  So does the operation of the turntable.  Then I will run only one train per loop with little or no attention.

A point to point layout can only be a P to P.  A loop type layout also be a P to P, just operating it that way, parking a consist in the loop to prevent loop operation, etc.

Charlie

Tweetsie, the tourist road in North Carolina, operates a "Christmas tree layout" in 12"=1 foot,  a loop around the hill and back...no need to turn engine.   Due to a problem when I rode it, they made the loop twice.  I think there were street car lines that operated the same way, a continuous loop around a pattern of streets.  What other prototype railroad operates/d that way?

quote:

Point to point would require a wye or turntable and bypass tracks on each end make steam era operation realistic.

If you are only thinking inside the box, this is true.

However, not if you do as I have suggested above or even just have a hidden track to complete a loop.

As for the turntable, well, that's pretty much common to all big steam RR's. But again, it can be successfully worked around.

No one has mentioned laidoffsick's layout:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjTfq3XU15o

Ed Reuitling once told me "there's a prototype for just about everything" in a model railroad. Back in the late 19th century, land developers in the San Bernardino Valley worked with Santa Fe to arrange excursions on the "Kite Shaped Track" which was a real loop-to-loop operation that began and ended in Los Angeles. The return loops were tied together at San Bernardino. The excursion traveled from Los Angeles to San Bernardino on the Fullerton Subdivision through Orange and Riverside Counties, then on the southern leg of a huge return loop to Redlands, Mentone, Highland, Patton, back to San Bernardino, then toward Los Angeles on the Pasadena Subdivision. There were also trains running in the opposite direction. The slogan was "No scene twice seen." The Northern parts of the loops are long gone -- the Pasadena Sub now used for light rail; the Redlands Loop portion lost due to the declining citrus industry and housing (Metrolink may extend out to Redlands on the southern remnant.)

I've spent the last 12 years visiting and photographing various areas on the remnants of the Redlands loop with the plan of modeling it using San Bernardino as the hidden staging/storage area.

The phrase "Kite Shaped Track" actually came from a style of horse racing track that was a figure-8 (although they apparently didn't actually run that way.) It was a long sraight-away with a big sweeping turn followed by the other long straght-away to the finish line with a small loop at the intersection of the two long straights. The last track was in Old Orchard Beach, Maine and the remnants can be seen from Google Earth/Google Maps in the marshlands off Portland Avenue and Walnut Street.

Allan, I will get you his contact info.

Here is his layout.

http://www.tcaetrain.org/artic...ts/stella/index.html

Allan, I sent you an email.