My first 'real' railroad was the Atlas Great Eastern Trunk. I had a lot of fun with that railroad and learned a lot I didn't learn with my previous builds.
I sort of favor the Super Pretzel, but I'm not really crazy about any track plan where I can't run at least two trains unattended in opposite directions without a collision.
Depending on your available space, you may want to pay attention to the different dimensions between these. The pretzel is 8' long on each leg, but the dogbone is 10' long along one side and 6' along the other.
I would be more partial to the dogbone as it could be adapted for a mountain scene and has more space in the center to build out a small yard. Plus the reverse-loop gives you more flexibility.
On the table you show, either one will fit...in N-scale. Neither will fit in HO, except, and unless, you go with 18” radii...I think. You’ll hate it tight ‘n contorted like that.
The pretzel is most suited to a flat surface, but you’d want careful use of scenic dividers to make it work well.
Unless, of course, you're building an 1800's mining or logging operation, in which case you'll have smaller locos and cars that are 40' or less. Then they're be right at home on 18" radius curves.
Just got in some buildings and an AHM "Genoa" that was advertised as not running. Turns out it needs a drive shaft. Buying back all the stuff that I sold years ago, but managed to save some.
Progress has been made, now that the base is completed the fun begins.
I added the two 4X4' sections making the layout 8X12' larger than the Super Pretzel or Dog Bone which presents somewhat of a problem. Neither offers a constant minimum 22" radius necessary to run larger Y2/6 Mallets without the fear of rerailing.
So, like my other layouts I think I'm just going to wing it. Thinking about a 22" radius outer track with inner tracks working off that using some of the ideas presented in the Super Pretzel and Dog Bone.
Have you thought about using flex track instead of sectional? A lot fewer joints means a lot fewer problems down the road. Don't forget to change out the snap-switches for some #6 or #8 turnouts so your locos are happy.
You should get ahold of some track planning software (several free choices available). You could try laying out the plans from the book using 22" or larger track and see how it works out. You could also try to rough out a staging yard to take up some of the extra space (inside the mainline).
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