It was cold and rainy here today, and since my layout carpentry necessarily happens outdoors, today I was cosy indoors and doing some reading, dreaming and layout planning.

I've had in mind for many years to build an M-track layout. I have the beginnings in the form of a small M-track collection and my assortment of old analogue loks. There's also lots of stuff I don't have - like an M track turntable, or the assortment of M-track metal bridges which I've always liked but never owned.

Today I was browsing through the 0350 layout book, and came across the trackplan that I've always liked, and which really shows off the M bridges...



I'm thinking I'll use this as a focus to my collecting - assembling the components over a few years.



However, looking more closely at the plan, the text says that it has "two return loops". However, both loops are in the same direction of travel. Once a train is travelling counter-clockwise on the outer loop, it can't be turned around again. Quite a shortcoming if you are going to bother to have return loops.

My first thought is to add a double-slip on the left and move the switch to the outer loop like this:



which then allows the inside to be used as a return loop for a train travelling counter-clockwise.

Well, now I've messed with the track plan anyway, so what the heck. If I'm going to build a period-style layout, I want to have a turntable and roundhouse.

So, I did a layout based on this one, but made it 30cm wider and added a turntable on the right hand side. The mainline is topologically the same, but I've messed with the sidings and created a bit more run to have slightly lesser gradients...

Mostly once I've got a layout up and running I tear it down again (or we move house :-). Just planning for the next one.

I'm currently working on my digital, C-track layout, with modern models. The last time I built an M-track layout was in 1982, but I still have my old stuff in boxes, including the loks from the 1960s that were handed down from my older brother. Also my daughter is studying art, so if I build this I've got someone to paint the Dutch-style pastoral background and the fake water in the river :-)

- Herman

Another variation with meaningful return loops?

From another perspective to inspire your daughter?

Here are some pics from a real existing "Hafenbahn", which was at the annual toy railroader exposition in Gaggenau/Germany near Baden-Baden.

















enjoy
Rei/Zurich

Cookee alert, Cookee alert!

There's a Wunderwheel in the background of the 3rd picture......

Well, Wunderland is very Minatur so the wheel is very wunderful!

Wunderbar!

And yes, I remember Frank and Thomas.

Hi all,

the shown layout was for a store. You can differentiate them by the placement of the command control center (transformers, switches).

The store layouts have the ccc at the backside behind the background and tje customer layouts normally on the frontside.

This harbour layout ist the only one known in Europe so far.


stay healthy
Rei