08-21-2015, 04:49 AM
I am settling in to more branch line format myself, as the trains are kept shorter and the operational is more relaxed. besides after moving out to almost middle of nowhere 19 years ago has done its part. Many of us do try to cramp loads of operation to a small space and I get a feeling that the trains which are the only thing on a layout has not been compressed to area to fit. Still in a man made landscape you can get away with it, like an urban switching layout, but still that innocent looking engine becomes a monster once you couple up a few cars to it. I am still in the planning phase of my layout, though I guess I am to do the benchwork to it soon and start laying track. I wish that I had a little more space to add some distance and run a rural layout, but I guess I will have to settle on a urban switching layout to keep the interest in the longer run. I guess the layout like yours have added some breading space which is important rather having a 3 unit lash up with a handful cars running through the yard one town while it is already entering next which is supposed to be miles away.
Still on a branch line or an industrial switching, you can add a few things to make sure that the operation takes it time, like opening gates, local restrictions on operation through the town etc. that keeps things interesting. And on the limited space I have, that is the way I am to go. The idea in the room I have is a rather simple. On a narrow shelf, a four track yard with a run around, which also serves as staging and on the opposite side on deeper shelf a switching area. One day I will make it run around loop so I can when mood strikes just sit back and watch the trains just run and be a rail fan. One of the cool thing about forums like this is you get to see not just layouts but different concepts and get new ideas. So keep it up and have fun!
Still on a branch line or an industrial switching, you can add a few things to make sure that the operation takes it time, like opening gates, local restrictions on operation through the town etc. that keeps things interesting. And on the limited space I have, that is the way I am to go. The idea in the room I have is a rather simple. On a narrow shelf, a four track yard with a run around, which also serves as staging and on the opposite side on deeper shelf a switching area. One day I will make it run around loop so I can when mood strikes just sit back and watch the trains just run and be a rail fan. One of the cool thing about forums like this is you get to see not just layouts but different concepts and get new ideas. So keep it up and have fun!