Switchless Layout

I had designed a few layouts several years ago with no switches.  The reason was that I enjoy running trains as opposed to doing switching.  I wanted to have about 8 trains running at the same time so I just made 8 loops on 3 levels.  At that time I think I only had enough engines and cars for about 8 trains so each one could have its own track.

 

At this time, if I were to do it again, I probably would have to use some switches just to store extra trains on a siding or 2.

 

I guess it depends on what you like doing with your trains.

 

Rick

In an earlier version of my current layout, I have 22 switches.  I really had few problems with them (they were Fastrack remote switches and in five years of use I have only one go bad).   But I never used them (so of course, they wouldn't have much chance to go bad, would they, one could argue) - I just didn't operate switches or do switching and so finally got rid of them and the switchyard and sidings they led to. 

Currently, I have only two switches on my layout (all Atlas track, but with two Fastrack remote switches).  These are rather unusual I think, in that although electric and remote, I cut the control cable at eachswitch, so i can't control them.  Both are installed at the head of (Y split point) for reversing loops at each end of a long dogbone track loop.

 

My other two track loops have no switches at all.

I have no switches on my current layout, due to the problems you mention and also compatibility - the fact that I run many makes and ers of trains.

I don't have any switches on my layout either. I had two 022's on the inner track, but never used them. I find I don't miss having them.

When I had my commercial layout building business I ended up building three different kinds of 3 rail layouts:

1. Exhibits - little or no switches, lots of seperate levels, lots of trains running.

2. Passenger (majority use) - few switches, mostly trailing point if possible.

3. Freight (majority use) - very carfeully planned switches, yards, etc,.  Long leads into and out of complex switch patterns.

Of course there were exceptions but in the long run they all seemed to ended up being of one or the other of these three types.  BTW the outdoor G scale layouts fell into these same categories.  Just my observations of course!   Russ

Nothing wrong with going switchless.  Some folks don't like throwing switches and just prefer to watch a few trains doing loops.  That can be very satisfying.  I could see me eventually having a layout without switches.  At this point though, I want the option of being able to travel from loop to loop and doing some switching duties.  I like having operating accessories on a siding so switches are a must.

 

Here is a nice layout design that was in CTT.  This layout could easily be done without switches and still be a very enjoyable set up.  The little loop at the lower right is a N scale track for a carnival.  Three O scale trains, one trolley, and a N scale train.

 

I have four loops with only 3 switches amoung them. Two loops have no switches at all.

Three of the four loops on my layout (one Standard Gauge, two 0 gauge) are without switches. This is a function of space more than preference - I like to run trains, I like to see them pass each other, and I don't have a lot of room. The innermost 0 gauge loop has three sidings, to accommodate operating accessories. This was the best compromise for me in the space available; if I had more space, I'd have more switches!

I have 8 loops with no switches. Don't have to worry about derailments or collisions that can cause  fried electronics or scratched tinplate.

I agree...too much bad can happen with one bad switch encounter. These trains are very expensive!

Nice train room and layout, Kevin. Thanks for posting this photo.

Bill

It's interesting that this tread came up because I'm frustrated with my permanent layout and have been contemplating three lines with only a switch or two for staging.

The reason for no switches? Because my engines react so differently to them. My Beep stops on the switches unless it's going pretty fast. My Lionel diesel derails on O27 switches; so does my little K-Line. The only engine I have that consistently runs well is a cheap Lionel Praire 4-4-2.

If money were no object I might try O gauge switches but I have to use what I have.

Switches, what switches ?

 

Actually my previous layout had something like 18 0-27 and 0-42 track powered switches in a large yard configuration. Trying to back up trains through tight 0-27 switches wasn't fun. Decided after that next layout would just be a few loops for simple running.

 

 

Hi Bill,

 

Thanks for the complement, it is still fairly basic, I have plans to detail the layout some more.

The last layout I had built before moving to my present home, had 4 loops with no switches. Like others who posted, I was just trying to get the most trains running with the least amount of "hands on" and wiring.

 

My current layout has 6 and, yes, some of my locos have issues entering the switches. I try to remember each loco's particular problem, and with what switch, so I run them in the correct direction.

Plenty of action on a switchless pike:

 

Rob, that is one really cool layout. Thanks for posting it. 

lately every time i've had a derail that cost me money, it has involved a switch.  my layout has 5 and i'm going down to 2 real soon. 

I've been getting some great responses to this question! I don't want to tear my layout apart to rid myself of the switches, but I think I will use them as static display areas because of the way my layout is set up. I will have the best of both worlds, realism and smooth running.

This is the previous layout I had that really made me curse switches, particularly 027 switches.  Trying to back up long trains through a series of tight switches was not my idea of fun.

  

 

In order to offset the lack of switching and to keep the action interesting, the layout would have to have at least 8 "Loops" of track for at least 8 or more trains. Anything less is a snore fest.

 

Andrew

I have gotten rid of 8 switches. Operating functionality has decreased but trouble free running has improved. So many of the switches were causing trouble when the main line went thru the curved leg of the switch. 

I currently have 20 fastrack remotes. I'm taking down the layout completely and there will be no where near that many in the new one. Now after saying that it is not because I have had any switch problems. I want several elevations and that's my motivations to rebuild. In addition to going to TMCC and legacy.

I originally had 10 switches on my layout, including crossovers between the two lower loops, an internal diagonal with 3 spurs across the innermost loop and a turnout on the outer loop.  The only switches I ever really used after the first few weeks, were the two turnout switches, so, about a year ago, I removed all of the others. No more de-railments or other switch related problems.  I find more enjoyment in running the trains.

Lots of levels, lots of track, lots of trains, very few switches.  You can get from level to level but since the switches were trailing point you had to back from one loop onto another loop.  Yes there were yards but they were out in the open and used on two loops dedicated to freight traffic.  I'd love to show more pix of this layout but the owner has asked me not to!  Sorry.  Russ

 

Fastrack switches are one of the strengths of this track type. I only have five but they serve me well. Switchless or a yard full of them. I am happy either way.

How about crossovers? Are they as fickle as switches? Will my Beep stop in the middle of a 90 degree crossover? Any general rules of thumb for crossovers?

I'm in Nashville taking care of sick relatives and haven't worked on my track plan since before Christmas but I'm definitely going to use less switches. Ace made an Anyrail diagram of my layout but I can't pull it up on this $35 pc that runs on Linux. Argh.....

Gentlemen,

   I have different levels on our layout, engineered in different ways, some levels have a few switches, some levels have many and some have none at all.  To me it all in what the designer wants to accomplish.  The one thing I do demand is that the switches I use, must accommodate all different types of trains I own, so that we can run all the different trains on any part of the layout.

PCRR/Dave

 

I have several switches but I am thinking about going without as many switches on my next layout. One of my biggest problems is with my MTH 4-8-4 T-1 steam engine, it either derails or quits at the switch I am using; Gargraves 042, the MTH engine likes Gargraves track except for the switches.

The other big problem was Lionel switches in O gauge tubular, #6-23011, were giving me headaches when using them with Williams engines, so I went to Gargraves switches and track.

027 track is nice but you are limited to what size trains you can run especially if you have 027 switches, as longer engines and cars hang-up at the 027 switch. I gutted a Lionel 027 switch as it was beyond repair (it was at throw away stage)and put a DZ-1000 switch motor on it and now I can run a lot more thru an 027 switch.

 

When my wife retires from her job, we might move to Camalla GA, West Palm Beach FL is too expensive for us, and no decent jobs down here either.

 

Lee F.

On my 16X16 Lionel tubular layout I have 29 switches.  8 are 072 (elevated on Lionel trestle bents), 17 are 022, one is a manual 042, and 4 are K-Line remote 042's.

 

All the remotes are constant voltage wired and almost all of them are connected to Lionel SC2's.

 

They all operate reliably and I have no problem running all my Lionel PRR engines thru them, from a plastic conventional 0-4-0 Vulcan to the largest JLC GG1's and scale S1 T1, J1, S2 etc.  Every engine and car in my collection (pretty big) passes thru these switches, coming or going, without difficulty.

 

Without switches in my trackplan I could not begin to accomplish what I want my layout to achieve: reverse loops, four blocks, 072 blocks, tons of operating accessories, yard switching, etc.

 

I do wish Lionel would have made 0 gauge switches in 042 and 054.  Any engine larger than 031 and I'm restricted to half my trackplan and the 072 routes.

 

Early building phase.

 

 

A corner completed.  Maybe.

 

John,

   Man I love that layout, congrats on some fine engineering!  Looks like one of my Fathers big layouts for the 60's when he helped run with the Boys Club in Swissvale.

Brings back lots of memories.  We wished for those 042 and 054 Lionel 711 switches all of our lives, can't understand why Lionel never made them, would have been seriously great.  Good luck using your K-Line older type switches, better to use the new K-Line SS Switches they work a lot better.

PCRR/Dave

Depends on what you want out of a layout. When I built my Christmas Layout, for example, my objective was to have it run continuously for troublefree hours. So, I did not include any switches. Not only did it serve it's purpose during the holidays but I can sit down with a cup of coffee or whatever, and just enjoy watching the trains as they travel around the layout.

 

 

Lionel is making 042 switches now, but they are Kline knock offs. I actually just installed one yesterday and it seems well made. I too wish they would make an 054 version, i have a spot begging for one.

My first "adult" layout had no switches and it became boring watching trains go around in circles. I eventually discovered Ross Custom switches and as the layout progressed I incorporated 56 of them; this added alternate operating scenarios, including reverse loops, sidings, turnouts to other levels, etc. Excellent reliability and they look great. Switching moves add an extra element of fundamental railroading to any size layout; even just watching trains roll through the tangent section adds interest. My new smaller layout incorporates 10 Ross Switches and 2-45 degree crossings.

This is an idea for a 3-level 4x8 display layout with three separate circuits for easy unattended operation. For simplicity and reliability, two circuits have no switches.

 

My Dad's layout is based off of a track diagram that was in an issue of that other train mag a few years ago. The original plan called for O-27 Lionel tubular track and was 3 loops that was really 1 loop that crossed over itself with the use of 2 crossovers. 

 

He modified the design (and is still tweaking it) to utilize O-72 and O-54 Real Trax. He has done it pretty much with trial and error. His reasoning for this layout is 1. the cost of switches, and 2. His enjoyment comes through running, not switching. 

 

In the process of building, he has since added a switch for a siding that leads to a 2 stall engine house, which was something he has always wanted as a part of his layout.

 

It's really a pretty cool set up, and we have tried it out with running multiple trains,  both PS2 and conventional. Conventional requires a bit more attention (ask me how I know   but it can be done. 

No switches, then no sidings, then no fun. Loop running goes just so far before boredom sets in.

 

A lesson learned. Mainline trains should not have to switch to hold the main. Keep the switches for revenue making sidings and storage of trains.

If you read down to here, you might be interested in going here

https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/12129988040770902

 

where I posted about the evils of switches with a video, and referenced this thread. This was sort of the "inspiration" for that.

 

Great thoughts in this thread about switches by the way.

 

Greg

I change my layout every year, some years I have several switches. This year only two and to quote my wifes nephews son " watching the train go in a circle is rather boring".

So having more switches keeps the interest level higher. If the kids don't have an interest will the hobby die?