| When planning construction of a model railroad | | | | to a model layout can be a good idea. |
| there are all sorts of possible track configurations | | | | Before departure, the trains are turned around at |
| and plans to consider. It really depends on the | | | | terminals using yards, loops, wyes, and turntables. |
| space you have at your disposal and what type | | | | A single or double-track main line usually stretches |
| of train operation you would most enjoy. | | | | from point to point. |
| Real railroads (prototype) run from one | | | | When planning your point-to-point layout, you |
| destination to another rather than go around in a | | | | might want to include switches and yards at one |
| circle. In reality, real railroads usually have | | | | end of the layout, and a turnaround at the other. |
| hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of track to | | | | Most small layouts would not have enough space |
| work with. Even in a scaled down form, most | | | | for two terminals, so use an "out-and-home" |
| model railroads lack the space to fully replicate | | | | track configuration. An out-and-home layout |
| this, so a degree of adaptation and compromise is | | | | accommodates only one terminal and is like a |
| usually required. | | | | point-to-point layout double backing. The train |
| Full size trains often run for long stretches over | | | | journey would start at the terminal and it would |
| monotonous landscape, which if reconstructed on | | | | pass through various landscapes, possibly a small |
| a model layout, would be rather boring. To give | | | | town, and eventually arrive back at the same |
| you an example, the Ghan Train in Australia, runs | | | | terminal. |
| 1,880 miles across mostly barren desert. Imagine | | | | Some might say it is cheating, but unless you |
| replicating that on a scaled down model railroad - | | | | have unlimited space (and money) for your |
| it would probably stretch from one end of town | | | | layout, a little compromise is usually required. |
| to the other! | | | | Constructing an out-and-home layout usually |
| The main line begins at one point, and travels to | | | | enables a little more mileage between terminals. |
| another point, and stops, hence the term - a point | | | | The train will still arrive back at the terminal in a |
| to point railroad. | | | | reasonably short space of time. |
| Although a point-to-point layout is necessary on | | | | You could add more realism and interest by |
| real railroads, the format is not generally practical | | | | combining an out-and-home, and point-to-point, |
| for the average home (or club) model train layout. | | | | format with continuous pikes. You would need a |
| Replicating the scale mileage of a true | | | | fair amount of space though. |
| point-to-point railroad does not generally work | | | | Many model railroaders prefer a continuous layout |
| that well. | | | | because it allows for varied train movements |
| To make things a little more practical (and | | | | which make operation more interesting. |
| interesting), prototype railroads have branch lines, | | | | Whatever track plan you decide, the important |
| sidings and other subsidiary systems. Adding these | | | | thing is to have fun. |