Edge of layout.

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
21

D Wayne,is that Operator still working on your Railroad.

22

Yes, it helps to have very close connections to the one in charge. [swg][:-^]

Wayne

23

Hey guys,

There is one aspect of this that hasn’t been mentioned…

Keeping some distance or other safety factor between the rails and oblivion is also necessary due to “helping hands” or other body parts that smack into the layout.

The only loco drop I’ve had since I was a kid was someone (I never did find out who) that bumped into a steam switcher and knocked it to the floor. That same someone then picked it up and parked it on an out of the way siding. I didn’t notice the problem for some time (I assume) after the fact.

24

Sure looks better if you can have about 3" tie ends to layout edge. I know everyone is hurting for space so you can’t always do that.

25

Hi

I adhere to the old adage “that if it can it will” So if the terrain slopes down hill from the track, the table gets a fence of some kind. Ether 1 /14 plastic or some other obstruction. This is an old picture but it shows my intent.

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/[IMGhttp://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii34/Yankeeflyer/train234053.jpg[/IMG]:550:0]

26

I look at the adage somewhat similarly, but have modified it to suit my purposes so that it fits-to-a-tee, or rather lack of "t"s. That way, it reads “if I can, I will”. [swg]

Of course, that means no rocket sled speeds, good trackwork and well-maintained equipment and, most importantly, no train running without a dedicated and attentive operator. Both of the minor incidents which I outlined lacked at least one of those requirements. [banghead] I does help, too, to be the sole operator, although I do let my grandkids run trains under my supervision.

Wayne

27

With R22" curves on my 4 x 8, there is a 2" buffer along the edge. I have meticulously made sure that the track work is as flawless as possible - particularly along one edge where the track runs parallel to the side - and I have yet to have an accident.

I’m wondering whether the fact that I have my curves super-elevated (0.02") as helped out in that respect?

Tom

28

I had a decent amount of space on the edge when I first started but then I added an extended loop and that was done by glueing a 3/4 inch piece of foam board to the side of the layout and putting the track right on top. At this location I am using Kato unitrack and it is the edge. Floor is carpeted with thick enough carpet that I lose small parts if I drop them. Just me and the occasional visiter so i have had no problem knocking trains off. and if I do knock them off they go into the layout and not away on the floor.

close to the edge…that is how I roll…

29

This is about as close as I get. The power poles and pine trees not shown in this pic provide a little safety barrier. No problems yet.

Terry in NW Wisconsin

30

If you’re worried about derailments, just make sure the edge is uphill from the track level. I’ve done this in many places on my layout. It looks scarier than it actually is, short of highly unprototypical speeds. Of course, it’s a mountain RR, so the risk is real in some places, but it’s a trip onto scenery, not all the way to the floor if it happens.

Now, beer gut clearance…?

I resemble that, a little[oops]

[:D]

That depends on your operators. You might want to add a couple of inches just to be safe.[}:)]

31

Mike:

That’s why I’m glad that Yuba Pass is eye-level instead of waist level. Even after a big weight loss last year, the only thing my ‘beer gut’ rubs against is trees and rocks. However, I have ‘uprooted’ a couple of big Ponderosa Pines with my belt buckle, LOL!

Tom [:$]