You can do a lot on a 4X8. One of my previous temporary layouts had two loops crossovers, sidings and several accesories. I never got scenery on it before it came down, but it was fun while it was up.
It was all O gage tubular track with 022 switches. If your set has Fastrack in it, you might be better off on a 5X9 size since the track circle OD is about 40". I could get more on the 4X8 with O track since it has a 31" OD.
Hi, this is with O27, not fast track, but this is what we built for my Nephew on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Had to cut several fitter pieces to make everything line up properly, and it just fits, the track is right at the edge of the table, no safety zone for a derailment (this was built on a floor level table on a carpeted floor) if on an elevated table 5x9 would be a good choice to give a safety zone for derailments.
A LOT more can be done in O27 in a small space than many people give credit for, although on a busy layout like this, you will be giving up a lot of scenery options to get this much track in, it would be a better candidate as a “Toy Train” layout than as a “High Rail” layout.
Doug
Edit- for some reason the layout image didn’t come through very well, but just click the layout image, it will go to a larger view that shows very nicely.
I’ll echo what others have said: it’s better to go with a second transformer for the second engine as the CW-80 really isn’t intended to handle more than one train. Or, as also said above, consider getting a bigger transformer that can handle more than one train.
Multiple trains are nice, however, my two little guys really enjoy having multiple cars to switch around. Now that our Christmas layout has been dismantled, I’ll be setting up the temporary layout on the living room floor on weekends. (As the wife permits, of course! [:D]) Usually I have one or two engines out along with 10-15 cars and a couple of cabooses - we’ll run one engine with a variety of cars, stop and switch the cars around a few times, then switch engines and/or cabooses, then do the whole thing over again. Also, we have a dump car with logs which will get dumped and reloaded occasionally.
Again I really appreciate all of the information you all have shared. My dh and son went to the train show yesterday. It wasn’t really what they were expecting but they did get to talk to some dealers. They didn’t buy anything (mostly because the one vendor that really took a lot of time to talk to them didn’t have any curves). Anyway, we got on ebay last night and did some research and we picked up some track so we can make a figure 8. We also made a list of the order in which we need to pick up track so that our son can eventually build the layout that he likes. He was so excited to win the auction! We have to do it in steps because the track prices add up quickly especially when you want the remote switches!