• Dog bone track plans

Dog-bone track plan

An idea on 3′ x 6′ that explicitly features the “dog-bone” concept. Sketched here for Fleischmann N gauge, but the plan can also be adapted for other tracks.

Dog bone track plan

What is it all about? Watching trains running around on a 2-track mainline with a spectacular bridge, that’ s the basic idea of this 3 x 6 N scale track plan. Shunting tasks are not the focus of interest here. Instead, we have a long parade route that follows the “dog-bone” principle.

Worth to mention: The train station and the platforms are placed wedge-shaped between two forking lines. The main route is branching off here into 2 sections. A nice setting for model making as well as train operations.

What is a dog-bone track plan?

The dog-bone concept is often used for a main line with directional traffic on two parallel tracks. A 180° turn ensures that a train always runs on the correct side. However, the direction of traffic depends on the country in question.

Usually the 180 ° turn is hidden in a tunnel. In abstract form, the route is reminiscent of a dog bone, as the following graphic shows:

Track plan dog bone: Principle & operation

Dog-bone rule:

The longer the train, the wider the radius of the 180° turn

Dog-bone layout

Coming back to the layout idea above. The elaborated track plan shows a folded dog bone, because the 180° turns are on different levels:

Dog bone layout model railroad
  • Size: 6 x 3 ft. This corresponds to 182,9 x 91,4 cm
  • Tracks: Fleischmann N gauge (Tracks with ballast)
  • No curved turnouts, no double switch crossings
  • Ramp necessary to connect the 2 levels

Level 1 features the visible train station and the scenery. Level 0 has a shadow station with 4 sidings. The backdrop is placed in a way that allows access to the staging yard. But additional hatches are recommended.

The parade route in the foreground has a slight incline as it connects the two levels.

Check out the crossing in this track plan: It does not create a reverse loop, if a standard common crossing is used. A reversing loop will come up only, if a double slip switch is placed there. In this case extra wiring is necessary to avoid electric short circuit.

Download this track plan here:

Download PDF (private use only)

Dog bone tracks list

Why should I choose a dog bone track plan?

There are some striking facts, why advanced model railroaders love dog-bone based plans. The advantages at a glance:

  • See your train running in all directions

    No boring “one-direction” traffic as it is usual in an oval.

  • Realistic train traffic

    A train that runs to A will come back from A. This is seen as more true to the original

  • Shadow station possible without turnouts

    If the hidden route is long enough, trains can park one behind the other in the staging yard. Automatically controlled sections ensure nice train spotting.

Disadvantages

  • Larger space requirement

    Compared to an oval or point-to-point track plan, a dog-bone needs more space

  • Reversing loop on a 1-track line

    Single-track lines need extra electric wiring to avoid short circuit. This disadvantage does not apply to 2-track lines or 3-rail track systems

Wanna see more N gauge plans?

N scale track plans