This is a simple switching layout, for freight shunting or trolley / commuter operations. It is an unusual point-to-point layout Our example has scenery for a trolley / commuter system with possible connections to ferries.
(4) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve
(2) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch
(1) MTH 40-1007 45° cross
(4) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve
(2) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight
(2) MTH 40-1024 track bumper
(2) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch
(4) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight
(1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store
(2) MTH 30-9107 operating station platform
(1) MTH 30-9078 townhouse 1
(1) MTH 30-9079 townhouse 2
(1) MTH 30-9080 townhouse 3
(1) MTH 30-90035 Forbes Tower
(4) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp
(1) MTH 30-1078 O-scale round lamp
(4) MTH 30-11011 7-light dwarf signal
This is an unusual point-to-point system which can accommodate freight shunting, industrial and trolley / commuter operations. Our example is a blend of all three. This railway is also superb for an industrial railway serving a large plant that has different factories, forges, warehouses, etc.
(4) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve
(1) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch
(1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross
(2) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch
(5) MTH 40-1024 track bumper
(5) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight
(3) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve
(1) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight
(1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight
(1) MTH 30-9098 warehouse
(4) MTH 30-9006 passenger station platform
(1) MTH 30-90004 freight station
(1) MTH 30-90082 Grace Valley Feeds
(2) MTH 30-9078 townhouse 1
(2) MTH 30-9079 townhouse 2
(1) MTH 30-9080 townhouse 3
(3) MTH 30-1079 O-scale square lamp
A small railway that acts as a point-to-point system, it can accommodate freight shunting or commuter / trolley operations. Our example has an urban area with trolley lines to the outskirts of town. The second spur from top left can be an engine or car servicing track.
(2) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch
(2) MTH 40-1006 90° cross
(4) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight
(4) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve
(4) MTH 40-1024 track bumper
(2) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch
(4) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve
(1) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight
(5) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight
1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(1) MTH 30-9082 hotel
(1) MTH 30-9023 rowhouse
(1) MTH 30-9024 rowhouse
(1) MTH 30-9044 rowhouse
(1) MTH 30-9045 rowhouse
(3) MTH 30-9107 operating station platform
(6) MTH 30-1079 O-scale square lamp
(1) MTH 30-9049 #395 floodlight(silver)
(1) MTH 30-90010 work house 2
(2) MTH 30-11010 hiway crossing signal
An extended loop with inside spur and a long outside spur line. The extended spur can be a distance freight customer or trolley stop, or it can be a pier on a dockside railway. Our scenery is urban.
(11) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve
(2) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve
(3) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight
(2) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch
(2) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch
(4) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight
(2) MTH 40-1024 track bumper
(2) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight
(1) MTH 30-90035 Forbes Tower
(1) MTH 30-90020 Katz's Deli
(1) MTH 30-90034 McHales Tavern bldg
(1) MTH 30-90019 Lombardi's Pizza
(4) MTH 30-1078 O-scale round lamp
(2) MTH 30-9006 passenger station platform
(1) MTH 30-11028 water tower
(1) MTH 30-9033 #494 rotary beacon
(1) MTH 30-9049 #395 floodlight(silver)
This extended loop has one small spur that can accommodate one short car or motorized unit. Any variety of railroad operations can be served here. Our example hosts a tank farm and would run tank cars and petroleum service trains.
(14) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve
(1) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch
(2) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch
(2) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight
(2) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight
(3) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1024 track bumper
(2) MTH 30-9116 oil storage tank
(1) MTH 30-90003 power station
(1) MTH 30-90002 telephone shanty
(1) MTH 30-90006 yard tower
(2) MTH 30-11014 hiway crossing signal w/sound
(2) Buildings Unlimited B503 trackside shed
(2) Buildings Unlimited B501 flag stop
We call this plan the "Lazy Jellyfish". It works along the lines of point-to-point railways, and is wonderfully suited to freight shunting work. Make a pierfront railway, industrial railway or even add a commuter / trolley system. Our example scenery portrays an industrial park area. The red circle indicates the switch machine that collides with the loop. Actually, you can move the switch machine to the other side of the turnout when using MTH's track. That would end the problem..
(6) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve
(6) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch
(6) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight
(3) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight
(6) MTH 40-1024 track bumper
(3) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve
(1) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight
(3) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) MTH 30-11028 water tower
(1) MTH 30-90004 freight station
(1) MTH 30-11039 flood light
(1) Buildings Unlimited B501 flag stop
(1) LaserKit 485 yard office
(2) Berkshire Valley #851 freight house
(1) Walthers 3305 Brook Hill Farm Dairy
(2) Buildings Unlimited B503 trackside shed
Here is an oval layout with two spurs and a short bisecting bumper-to-bumper track. You can run a bumper-activated motorized unit on the point-to-point track, provided it is short. The MTH hand car and Lionel #50 Gang Car fit well on such a small track. The spurs allow room for operating accessories, as we have shown in our example.
(9) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve
(2) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch
(6) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight
(7) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight
(1) MTH 40-1007 45° cross
(1) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight
(4) MTH 40-1024 track bumper
(1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight
(2) MTH 30-9006 passenger station platform
(1) MTH 30-9122 AF #796 sawmill
(1) MTH 30-9119 AF #787 log loader
(1) MTH 30-9043 AF coaler
(1) MTH 30-9049 #395 floodlight(silver)
(1) MTH 30-11014 hiway crossing signal w/sound
(2) Buildings Unlimited B501 flag stop
(1) Buildings Unlimited B503 trackside shed