Here is an interesting 12v layout for a 12'x12' area (which would fit in my garage with room to spare - and still be able to park my car...): http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=161787 The baseplates mark the boundaries of the table, including the access pit in the center. The layout features two loops, several passing sidings, a yard, an engine house, and several industrial spurs. The layout is designed to allow some degree of operation beyond just running trains in circles. To this extent, it has been set up for three train controllers (cabs in model railroading parlance). There is one cab for each loop, and a third to allow a switcher to run around servicing the industrial spurs and the yard. This layout could easily keep two operators busy, and even a third operator could be employed. The Main Line is structured to not have any S-curves or other tricky trackwork. This will allow a wider variety of equipment to be run. Of course one operator can run the whole thing by letting the trains on the Main Line and Inner Loop orbit while operating the Switcher. The Switcher may then be parked while tending to one of the other trains to handle set outs and pick ups. Here is the layout labeled for explanation below: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=161788 Note that the blue track sections are the locations of the insulating tracks from 7860 Signal Track. CABS: A - Main Line B - Inner Loop C - Switching BLOCKS: 1 - Main Line 2 - Siding 2 (Main) 3 - Siding 3 4 - Siding 4 5 - Siding 5 6 - Connector 6 7 - Connector 7 8 - Engine House (Track 8) 9 - Engine House (Track 9) 10 - Engine House (Track 10) 11 - Inner Loop INSULATING SIGNAL TRACKS: Label Normally Connects 1A, 1B closed Siding 2 to Main Line 2A, 2B open Siding 3 to Main Line 3A, 3B open Siding 4 to Main Line 4A, 4B open Siding 5 to Main Line 5 open Connector 6 to Siding 3 6 closed Connectors 6 and 7 7 open Connector 7 to Siding 3 8 open Engine House Track 8 to Connector 6 9 open Engine House Track 9 to Connector 6 10 open Engine House Track 10 to Connector 6 11 open Connector 7 to Inner Loop 12 open Connector 6 to Inner Loop A-B pairs only have one controller. The above connecttions result in the following sets of block assignments: CAB Blocks A 1, 2 B 11 C 6, 7, 10 When the Switcher needs a run-around track, Signal Track 5 or 7 is closed to connect Block 3 to Blocks 6, 7, and 10. Blocks 4 and 5 can store alternate trains for the Main Line. A clever way to swap trains is to wait for the train on the Main Line to get to Block 2, and then let one of the trains out of Siding 4 or 5, while also setting the other turnout on the siding to let the old train in. When the old train is safely in the siding, the Signal Track is opened, and the turnouts set back to the main line. A safer way to swap trains is to run the main line train into Siding 2 and stopped. Then Signal Track 1A is opened, Signal Track 2A is closed, and either Signal Track 3A or 4A is opened (depending on which train will be used). The turnouts are switched so the new train will run into Siding 3. The new train is run into Siding 3 and stopped. Then 2A is opened and 1A is closed. The old train is then run into the vacant siding and 3A or 4A is opened. Then 2A is closed and the new train is run out onto the Main Line (with appropriate turnout switching). One it is out, 2A may be opened. If the switcher is not used, a nice long inner loop can be had by running through the Connector Tracks. The switcher can do a reasonable amount of switching, with a decent sized yard, availability of a run-around track without fouling the Main Line, and 3 industrial spurs. Additional spurs could easily be added. Note that some of the spurs face the opposite direction, requiring the use of the run-around track. Additional spurs could be added, it might be nice to add one to each of the Main Line and Inner Loop. One could also add a spur with a switchback for extra cleverness. The Switcher can set cars out for pickup by trains on either loop. For the Main Line it is a little easier since the switcher can leave them on Siding 3. For the Inner Loop, the switcher could leave them near either Signal Track 11 or 12, and if done right, the train on the Inner Loop can reach them without entering Block 6 or 7. Of course cars can be set out by the trains on the Main Line or Inner Loop for the Switcher to pick up. It is reccomended that uncoupling be done by hand, but 12v uncouplers could be scattered around. Of course if we ever get Kadee couplers, operation could be totally automated. The Switcher operator should stand on the outside of the layout and can reach everything from there (in fact, the only trackage which would normally need access from the pit would be the long spur which ends near the engine house, all other spurs and sidings are easily accessible from the outside of the table). I'm not sure if I have quite enough 12v track to do this. I would need to do it with mixed grey and blue track definitely. I think I have just barely enough signal tracks, but I would need to get more controllers. If Signal Track 6 was eliminated, 3 controllers would be eliminated (5 and 7 become a pair and 11 and 12 become a pair). This would not limit operation too much (it just means the whole switching area is one block). I think my garage is actually wide enough that I could widen the layout to 15'. I'm not sure I would expand the track much, it might be nice to use that additional real estate for a decent city area. It might be nice to add the space on the right, and move the Main line out to the edge (but perhaps not all the way to the edge). The industrial spur on the right could then be moved out a little bit. I think this layout demonstrates that it is possible to set up a "real" model railroad with LEGO trains in a reaonable amount of space. Of course if done with 9v, some compromises would need to be made since passing sidings will be wider spaced. The need for signal tracks goes away though care will need to be taken with how turnouts are set. Ok, here's the 9v version. The engine house now just has two tracks and one passing siding has been eliminated off the main line. The yard has been expanded to 4 tracks, but would also be decent with 3 tracks. There is definitely less space for structures. The layout: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=161794 An earlier version of the layout is at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=161774 I have also added my interpretations of John Allen's Time Saver switching problems: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=161790 The Time Saver is a nifty little switching problem. Three versions are indicated. The two on the left are for 24-28 stud 8 wheel cars with trucks while the one on the right is for 16 stud 4 wheel cars. Unfortunately, for the short cars, only 12v (or 4.5v) track works. The locomotive used should be the same size as a car. I don't have the rules handy, but the basic idea is that you set out some cars on the tracks. The car(s) on track C are being delivered to one of the other tracks, while one or two other cars will be loaded now and should be set out on track C for pickup by the next train. Frank