I've gotten the "wife approval" to take over half my basement !
I'm looking at a long-term project (years) but would like something basic up and running in shorter time so I can have a continous run while I work on the rest.
I've got about 18 feet x 10 feet (HO scale) to work with, but I want to go with more of a shelf style layout around the edges atleast at first. So I'm looking at an "L" style layout with a loop at each end so I can run continuous. I'm sure there's no "right answer" but I'd love opinions on the pros/cons of running a single mainline with a reverse loop on each end, vs running 2 mainlines with a dog-bone loop. I dont mind the wiring or switching issues, I've researched them and think I can handle a reversing loop. But from an operations perspective I'm leaning towards more of a 2-mainline loop concept. It doesnt seem like it would take up much more space either way. Thinking of building the end loops first and then 'moving them out' as I expand the layout so I can have a continuous running layout at any point during the expected long build process.
Suggestions ? Comments ?
I'm looking at a long-term project (years) but would like something basic up and running in shorter time so I can have a continous run while I work on the rest.
I've got about 18 feet x 10 feet (HO scale) to work with, but I want to go with more of a shelf style layout around the edges atleast at first. So I'm looking at an "L" style layout with a loop at each end so I can run continuous. I'm sure there's no "right answer" but I'd love opinions on the pros/cons of running a single mainline with a reverse loop on each end, vs running 2 mainlines with a dog-bone loop. I dont mind the wiring or switching issues, I've researched them and think I can handle a reversing loop. But from an operations perspective I'm leaning towards more of a 2-mainline loop concept. It doesnt seem like it would take up much more space either way. Thinking of building the end loops first and then 'moving them out' as I expand the layout so I can have a continuous running layout at any point during the expected long build process.
Suggestions ? Comments ?