| For the model train enthusiast, purchasing the rolling | | | | continuously, but it could be modified into a 'dogbone' |
| stock is only the start of what will become an | | | | shape by pulling two opposite sides of the circle or |
| extensive, and possibly life changing project - maybe | | | | oval together, giving a double track appearance in the |
| very costly, certainly very time consuming, but | | | | middle with a smaller circular shape at either end; |
| thoroughly enjoyable. | | | | * out and back - where the train leaves the single |
| The major part establishing a model railroad project is | | | | station, travels around a pear-shaped layout and |
| the design and implementation of the layout - the | | | | returns to the original station; |
| diorama with scenery, structures and appropriate | | | | * station yard only - where a single station is |
| scale track for operating the trains. | | | | surrounded by a number of short, interconnected |
| The size of the layout you can design, build and | | | | tracks, providing great opportunities for shunting. |
| operate depends on the amount of room in which | | | | From these four basic patterns, there are countless |
| you have to set it up. Some layouts can be quite | | | | variations. Some possibilities are: |
| small - shelf-top designs that can be accommodated | | | | * combining two or more of the four basic patterns, |
| in a very small space. Others can fill part of a room, | | | | for example adding an 'out and back' at one or both |
| or even a whole room or basement. | | | | ends of a 'point to point' layout; |
| For a small, simple layout, a table will usually be | | | | * adding double track to any of the first three basic |
| adequate but most model railroaders aim to establish | | | | layouts to allow two or more trains to operate at |
| larger, permanent layouts. These will usually require | | | | the same time; |
| construction of suitable benches, often fixed to the | | | | * adding branch lines, allowing an increase in the |
| walls of the room to provide a high degree of | | | | number of stations; |
| stability. | | | | * arranging a continuous loop as a figure-of-eight, |
| An important aspect of any model train setup is the | | | | even elevating one track over the other rather than |
| arrangement of the track itself. There are at least | | | | having the crossing at the same level; |
| four basic layout patterns for setting out the track, | | | | * using multiple levels, allowing the use of more track, |
| and countless variations of both track configuration | | | | and thus more activity, in small areas; |
| and subsequent station placement. | | | | * adding station yards, with adequate standing |
| Four of the more common basic patterns are: | | | | tracks, to any of the configurations. |
| * point to point - this is merely a straight line of track | | | | The number of possible variations you incorporate |
| with a station at each end, with trains going from the | | | | into your track layout will only be limited by the |
| station at one end to the other station; | | | | space you have available, your time [and your |
| * continuous loop - in its simplest form this is either a | | | | patience] and, of course, the size of your wallet. |
| circle or an oval and the trains move around it | | | | |