chessie_system3
Well-Known Member
You have two real options with a 4x8. You either do switching or continuous running. All the plans I stumbled on and looked at which is a bunch! They either have a lot of continuous running or a lot of switching. I've tried slicing it either way and I have been coming up short. I've noticed quite a few twice around layouts too. There's potential in them it's just getting to a point of how much of a sacrifice are you willing to make. In my case I resureccted my previous layout but added things to it I felt would benefit me operationally. Now with that being said. I only planned for engine service and not a full on yard. I can't justify it with what I have available. All things told on my last layout I did more continuous running than switching. I enjoyed switching but I really enjoyed just railfanning my trains as they went by.One of the frustrations of track planning is you learn you never have enough space to do all you want. So don't be discouraged. .. I was looking over track plans, and there are not many 4X8's in my books. Your plan here is as good as any of them .... I saw some 5x9 plans, and if you have room for that, you certainly could do a lot more. ... Another thought is to make it longer. If you could do a 4 x 10, which would have some possibilities. ...
Justin