@Boilermaker1 posted:I will probably catch a little flak for this, but if it can be done in 3RS, it can be done in 2 rail.
Can you run everything under the sun? Absolutely not. But you can put a layout together and have plenty of entertainment with a reasonable sized space if you're willing to make a few sacrifices.
I have a 2 rail layout. It has a *gasp* 36" minimum radius. I started laying it out in 3 rail and decided to switch it to 2 rail (the pandemic did strange things to people). The space limitations were already set, and it runs perfectly fine. Its a fictional short line. 4 axle diesels are at home, and a lot of vertical can motor 6 axle diesels will also can run on it without a problem (even an ES44AC, yes, it looks a bit goofy, oh well). I recognize I cant run huge trains and huge equipment, and its fine by me. If you're willing to accept whatever limitations you put on yourself, then there isnt any reason why you can't have a 2 rail layout. IMO, the minimum layout size is an 80" circle (36" radius plus overhang). Will that layout be fun? Probably not, but it is "practical" since a train would run.
My "problem" is that I like MainLine Steam Locos. When I inquired on the forum the consensus was Scale Northern (4-8-4) Locos are happiest on 72" Radius and might run on 60" Radius. Less than that, some will operate, most probably not.
