I have read and taken to heart some great constructive critisim in the thread about my track plan. As I sit here doodling away with RTS, I started thinking about my main line. I strongly prefer double track mains. however, I have noticed on several track plans single main lines with passing sections. This certainly adds to the operation interest of the layout. But what about the times you just want to "play" and run trains? What is your opinion on main lines. Double tracked or single? In the meantime I am going to explore the single line main idea and see where it leads me. Track Plan 7.0 here we come Thanks all Have fun and love life.
I'm glad we didn't chase you away Mark! This is one of those 'druthers' that John Armstrong used to talk about. What this means is that it is largly up to you. Single track has the advange of taking up less space and added operational interest (as you mentioned) Double track takes more space, but if you want to just let more than one train go, it's the only way (without really fancy electronics controling the meets) Double track also gives the impression of 'big time' railroading that single track does not have. You did ask for an opinion - I didn't give it to you... OK I will. I like single track. Why? More interesting to operate. I also don't like point to point plans that lack a continuous run connection, cuz I like to just let one go too.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mtaylor: I strongly prefer double track mains. however<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think you answered your own question right there. You put the word 'strongly' there. I think you should keep the main DT.
About half of my main line is double track, the other half, of course is single I made it like this to add operational interest, but sometimes wish I had made it all double, so I could just let a couple of trains run. There is no way it could now be changed to all double track. When I get my layout (and locomotives) converted to DCC, it will be easier to run two trains at once, on the double track section, without fancy switching of power.
Matt, It all depends what you want, in the end it is your layout. My layout is a single line that dogbones over itself. Trains only run in one direction except in a few areas. I also have a yard and industries that are isolated from the mainline. I have the luxury of being able to have coninuous running on the mainline while being able to switch a train on the industries. Have a look at my website for more information including the layout plan. you may also want to have a look at this topic as well Layout extension topic
Double lines dont really have to significy (?) a heavy main line, in fact, lots of railroads use single track mains. Using a double makes it look like more of a mainline operation. Since it looks like your going for a more switching layout then just running, a single main will help it look alot better. It will also free alot of space up probably making the layout look better. Make a list of the things you would like on your railroad. Then compare this on what other people have used and you'll be able to see what you can have and cant. A very realistic and effective switching district can be constructed on your size of a layout, while a heavy mainline wont look very good, its just too small. The same would go for having a large yard. It really wouldnt look so good. Check out Bill Denton's Kingsbury Branch if you want more of a switching layout, his address is http://members.aol.com/wdenton101/index.htm#page1 Or there are many other good layouts that feature a mix of the both. It really is your decision. Mike
Once again, lots of ideas and thoughts so will add mine. I have spent a lot of time looking at the real thing especially in western Canada. Single track main lines are the norm through the vast prairies and through the mountains. These become double or more tracks as they approach and pass through towns and cities that could be division points and also provides reason for industry tracks and yards. Now when the distance in single track between centers is far, one can expect to fing passing tracks. I have planned my MAT that way and for the most part I have single track main with passing sections and the track becomes double main line as it approaches Maberly at one end and Tayside at the other. The MAT is point to point but I have incorporated hidden turning track combined with staging. I did this primarily to be able to turn passenger trains easily but with a flick of a switch I can have continuos running if I so desire. It is possible to run two trains as my layout is wired for cab control. It does mean having to changes switches in each block as a train passes through. This is ok for two people and my pike is walk around. I have it planned that I asign a visitor CAB A and I turn switches to CAB B only when I need them then turn them back to A when ai leave a block. Yes I know, DCC would make this so much easier but that is somewhere in the future. What I have is a number of plug ins for the walk around controller and with memory so trains keep running when controller is unplugged makes this interesting. Running by myself I can have continuous running as long as I flick the switches at the returning tracks at Maberly and Tayside. Most time I run the trains myself so take that into consideration with your plans. Enough said, just have fun.
A single or double mainline really is a defining issue on how you understand and want to operate your layout. The only problem is that you might change your mind over time. I say this without any statistical proof whatsoever, but I suspect more change from double track to single track than the other way around. I am assuming stages in the development of a model railroader. This is a "dangerous" assumption because some prefer one mode of modeling, others prefer another mode. And so by defining stages, you are left with the impression that the "last" stage is the best. With that caveat and my running shoes on, ready to duck the email flames, let me proceed. Model railroad, for most of us begins as a visual thing. Kind of a WOW! look at that...I want it reaction. We want the mountains, tunnels, bridges, whatever happens to be on your happiness list. And if we build that happiness list, then we feel we will reach modeler Nirvana. And so we build it, and it looks great, and people compliment you, and you show pictures of your baby to all your friends...and bore them...lol. But you're done your layout...oh you could detail it more...but the primary fun seems to be over. What a drag, so what to do? Well time to tear it down and build a better one with a more sophisticated happiness list of goodies you want. And so on it goes. For many, nothing is more satisfying than to sit by your layout, beer in hand, alone, watching the trains run. After the third beer, the layout is really starting to look great. This is usually the primary domain of lone wolves as well. But for some a change begins to happen. You join a club, get invited to a new friends home and layout, read about the fun others are having in the Modeling magazines, or have friends tell you about it, but "operations" begins to loom larger in your life. So there I was at John's home, downstairs running on the Kettle Valley layout, with the Friday night boys. "Dispatcher, permission to clear the yard, train number 31 heading to Othelo, over" The reply: "Train number 31, you are cleared to Othelo. Hold your train at the Othelo siding until West bound 43 clears, over" And I respond: "Understood, out." I then take my little way freight train 31 around the layout, dropping off and picking up freight. While I am doing this, hot trains, passenger trains, other freights are blowing by me. Meanwhile, I am trying to figure out the strategy of how to drop off and pick up cars. Sometimes it is really hard, trying to figure it all out. Occassionally I am tired and my befuddled brain is having a hard time coming up with the solution. I sheepishly ask a friend - who gives me a helping hand. Now you must realize that the entire mainline I am running on is maybe two hundred feet, but it takes me almost two and a half hours to finish with the way freight in real time (not a fast clock). And I'm thinking, Man, I am having fun. At this point, the layout has changed purposes. It has moved from being a primarily visual affair to a game. For me, the layout has come alive, and the game is more fun than the visuals. The companionship is real and the bonding that occurs during the operating sessions is real. What makes the game interesting, is the problems present by the track design. As most of us know, chess is more enduring as a game than checkers because it is more difficult. In actual fact, it is only difficult games that enjoy popularity; golf is an example. Imagine a gold course with all 30 yard holes, I don't think it would be to popular, or at least not as popular as the hard courses. Well the same with running trains. If the track plan is to simple, the challenge is gone. Double tracking the main is making the game simple. My little way freight Train number 31 to Othello would have had no problems with on coming traffic. I could have been done in twenty minutes... but where was the challenge?
Matt, You've got a ton of good advice here! My nickels worth would be the same as Robins, look to the prototype. Your layout is called the 'Taylor branch' that tells me it's a branchline, usually railroads didn't have the money to double track branchlines. Especially class 1 roads like BNSF! Even branchlines that have a high number of trains pass over them are almost always single track with passing sidings. Case in point Union Pacifics Los Angeles Subdivision which runs from Salt Lake City, Utah to LA. There is a lot of traffic over that line every day yet it is mostly single track with a lot of passing sidings. But the UP line from Salt Lake City to Ogden and from Ogden East to Cheyenne WY is all double track. It all relates to traffic volume on the prototype, on the model? mostly personal preference! 2slim
