Re: [HO Scale] Train lengths
I have been limitring my planning to trains under 10 cars in length due to the space requirements. How are you able to handle a train that exceeds 8 feet in length?
My latest theory is to have a huge, around the room [around the layout] loop of track that meanders in and out of tunnels, around hills, through some canyons, and over several bridges with no switches. This loop would begin and end in the hidden staging area appearing [in view] on this outside loop through a tunnel and then disappearing into another tunnel to conclude its visible run.
The idea is to allow me to run l-o-n-g trains along this route as if they are approaching the on-stage layout. As the l-o-n-g train ends its visible run and enters the tunnel approaching its return to the hidden staging area, I can cut off a large portion of the cars in hidden staging. After a short delay in hidden staging, the train will then appear through another tunnel onto the on-stage layout. The *idea* is that this train, during the delay, reached an interchange, dropped off a substantial portion of its cars, and it is now completing its run with the remaining cars in tow: 10 cars or less in all.
How do you accomodate a l-o-n-g train on your layout?
ladder length(s)? sidings? etc.?