So I canʻt seem to find any minimum measurement (distance) from track enter to edge of layout in HO scale. Is 3" min standard? Can 2" work with out problems?
2" inches is ok. I have spots that are that close, but I build up scenery at a slope, or have installed a tree line between the track and the abyss.
Just in case.
Terry
I try to keep at least 3" from track center to the edge of the benchwork in my designs, more when possible. Much less than 3" and I suggest some sort of a guard … not only to keep derailed trains from taking the big plunge to the floor, but also to reduce the hazards of loose clothing (and overhanging bellies) from the aisle.
Many published speculative plans unfortunately shortchange this safety distance to cram in more track. They also often don’t provide enough track-to-track clearance in curves, but that’s another topic.
Allowing the benchwork to curve in and out as needed often helps secure some breathing room from the benchwork edge – look beyond the rectangle!
Byron
I have always allowed my track to go right to the edge of the layout in spots.
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I use removable plexiglass panels for safety.
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-Kevin
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Down by a river?
Down at the end, right by a corner?
What, no Yes fans here?
–Randy
My 4x6 has one spot thet is at the edge and on a curve. I do as Kevin does and have aremoveable plexiglas fence all around the layout. It is virtually invisible and saves trains from taking a dive whether by derailment, clothing or tiny fingers.
Good luck,
Richard
On my ISLs I keep the track one car from the edge so,if I knock one over it will hit the layout and not “the big catch all”–the floor.
Unless you’re running trains at slot car speeds, why waste layout space?
Because not everyone has your track-laying expertise – and many people have oversized visitors and operators in the aisles.
Why take the chance?
You are a brave soul Wayne,…ha…ha
It’s been 12 years, haven’t lost one yet.
This is the worst I have had caused by my sister waving her hands around, pretending she knew what she was talking about when we had family from England visiting. I gave her a pass though because she usually gives me about $500.00 a year in gift certificates for PWRS because I am the best brother in the world.[:-,][(-D]
I lost an IHC 2-8-2 once trialing newly laid track supported on spline roadbed. No scenery. Ya pays yer money an’ ya takes yer chances, sonny.
You can safely move right up to table’s edge, but you should have something to prevent the more costly items, or rare, from meeting an untimely end. Plexiglass seems sensible. A picket fence could even do the trick if you don’t mind cuffs, buttons, elbows, and other items snagging them or knocking them askew all the time. I prefer a modest hedgerow of ground foam bushes or something that, once I have done trials, I know will do the job. That is, I like scenery to extend naturally outwards of the tracks so that they look like they belong in a real setting. If a couple of trees, or shrubs, can catch a tumbling locomotive against them, great.
I don’t really consider it to be “taking a chance”. I doubt that my “track-laying expertise” exceeds that of the average modeller, but I am generally the only train operator and am usually rather careful.
I have mostly generous aisles, although there are a couple which might hinder some folks with larger builds. If I were expecting such visitors, trains would be removed from at least the sidings shown in those photos.
The only really precarious areas are around the peninsula (photos 2 to 6) and when operating there, I’m always walking alongside the moving train.
I do “get” the practice of not laying track too close to the edge, but my interest when building the layout was more for having as large a radius as possible, without even thinking about set-backs from the edge.
The only hit-the-floor issue with this layout was when I was doing some switching while standing in the aisle area beyond the peninsula, with most of the rest of the layout not really in sight. I could swear that I heard something else running, but several checks around the layout revealed nothing to be where it wasn’t previously.
Once the switching in that town was completed, I recoupled the locomotive to its train, and set-off to the next town along the line.
The train hadn’t go
Do you mean “Down at the end, round by the corner” [:)]
Not here, anyway…I never really cared for their music. It always struck me as being too light for my tastes.
Wayne
Too light? Oh, a Rush fan then - well, that’s my second favorite.
Try Machine Messiah (I know, sacrilege, no Jon!) or Gates. Definitely not light.
–Randy
I thought that’s what I typed - do you know how hard it is to type the lyrics for one song while listening to something else? [(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [(-D]
Back on topic - the thing about runnign the cloose too the edge, particularly with team, is it only takes one tiny screw to back out to vault the thing right to the floor when a rod jams into the ballast. Running slow won’t save you, unless it’s the trailing end of the rod that falls off.
I’ve been lucky - only thing I ever had go off the tracka nd actually hit the floor went off the unfinished end, no off the side, and it was a couple of Kato covered hoppers - they just got turned back into a kit, nothing actually broke. Anyone who’s built those will know what I mean.
–Randy
i suppose it’s a matter of personal taste …
in my case i leave enough room for a loco or rolling stock to lay down sideways, and still stay on the layout … if i didn’t have the room, i would use some thing like clear plexi as a guide to keep it on the table., and off the floor , it’s a long way down for little parts, lol, as ‘insurance’ it’s pretty cheap …
The modular guys I associate with when I have the time have the outside track centre 3” from the edge. By coincidence, the only dive to the floor, which was caused by little sticky fingers, was taken by my 2-10-2, seen in this shot after having tested my abilities in carrying out locomotive repairs. She runs well in spite of my efforts.
I should also add that the modular group were regular show exhibitors.
Cheers, the Bear, (Going for the One!)[:)]