I'd really like to keep my layout long and skinny and therefore avoid a basic oval (having a track or two running like on modular layouts) BUT I'm not yet into switching and would like to keep the trains running... can this be done? Can a N scale layout using unitrack just have loops at each end using a #4 or #6 tunout to enable it to run continously? Hope this question makes sense... I just love modular layouts because there is no 'dead' space in the middle of the layout but I don't have the room to run a layout all around my room. Thanks for all your patience & help! Pete
Pete- Welcome and the answer is certainly. What are the dimensions of your running area? You will be having either one or two reverse loops from what I gather from your question. It is a good choice to start with Unitrack. You will save yourself a lot of aggrevation.
Hi, thanks for your positive input. I'm working with insulation boards that are 8 feet in length and 3 feet wide... I'd really like to not go over the 3 feet in width.
The major drawback to using turnouts with a loop of track is that your loop would need to be as big as the longest train that you would like to run. The train would also leave the scene and immediately reenter it. If you want to have a double mainline you would also need to have the loops take up opposite halves of the layout so the tracks would not cross over each other. Another solution would be a continous loop with half the layout hidden behind a backdrop. This would make the train disappear from the layout for an extended period of time so that it appears the train actually went somewhere. By adding sidings you could even store the train out of view for periods of time and allow different trains to run through your scene just like in the real world.
One problem is that a turn around loop is about 3 ft. to 4 ft. depending on depth. I like point to point with turn around loops at each end, and don't want any part of the layout to be too deep, so really more than 8 feet long is needed. Depth about 2.5 ft. is a minimum, if you have 8 feet of wall space, you could cut a 2 foot cutout along the middle, 2 ft. in, then always be within reach, put one loop on each side of the cutout. I have two walls each with only 7 ft. 1 or 2 inches, my storting part is a L shape, with a 1.5 foot along the opposite wall to a turn around loop. Got to have enough depth for some town buildings, some country. Take a look at some designs at www.layoutdepot.com under N scale, RTS.
Pete: Welcome to trainboard. You can accomplish any trackplan using Unitrack. My layout, the JJJ&E uses Unitrack and I'm very pleased with the performance of the track. The JJJ&E is 4x15' in a "T" design and on multiple levels. Stay cool and run steam....
I've got a 3' x 10' against the wall. I say that 3' is too deep as it's hard to reach back there. It would be fine for end loops, but then pinch it in the middle (Called a dogbone, I believe.) A 3' depth lets you use 15" radius curves, which ain't so bad. I would redo my midsection at about 2.5' or 2.25', but I'm too far into it to stop now!
