I have been looking for a while now, and I can not find an answer for how far from the edge of the layout to the center or outside edge of the track should be. What would be the proper or minimum distance you should have track (HO) from the edge of the layout.
Thanks Tons For answering this question for the first time [;)]
Duane
I just checked the NMRA site and the only standard I could see was in regard to modules. Looks like 5". Otherwise…nothing general. That seems reasonable in the event of a derailment or deter wandering fingers of some smaller visitiors.
Mark H
I went with 6” where little hands can get to the tracks and 2½” inside mountains where if something goes astray it won’t hit the deck. I use ⅜” plywood for edging around my layout where the mountains are and 8” x 24” inspection doors for access to the tracks. My layout is 36" from floor level so 6" works pretty good for under 4 year olds.
Mel
Modeling the SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Three inches to center of track, if something derails at normal speeds it should not hit the floor.
Hello All,
I don’t believe there is a “standard” for the distance of track from edge of a standard (non-modular) layout.
That being said…on my pike; due to space limitations, the outside edge of my track is 2-inches from the edge of the foam sub-roadbed. There is a 1/4-inch trough between the foam sub-roadbed and the edge of the base.
I then attached a 2-1/2-inch tall facia made from 3/16-inch plywood to the edge of the base. This gives a 1-inch lip around the entire layout. If there is a derailment this boarder prevents anything from hitting the floor approximately 32-inches below.
Because this is a 4x8 tabletop layout the facia also gives some rigidity to the 5/8-inch medium-density fiberboard base.
At train shows I attend the layouts on display have Plexiglas panels attached to the sides; typically a foot to 18-inches high, to protect the layout. These shields are removable to facilitate access to the layout and transportation.
On these layouts some of the trackage is about 2- to 3-inches from the edge of the layout. If a derailment occurs they simply hit the shield. In some sections of these layouts these panels are not used and the trackage is still about 2- to 3-inches from the edge.
Hope this helps.
My HO scale layout has two peninsulas each comprised of a one loop helix. The single track main center is about 1.5" from the edge of the sub road bed for about three quarters of the 63" diameter circle. In several years I have yet to have anything take a floor dive.
My layout is an inadviseably 5’-8" wide. So I was trading off curve radii against table edge spacing. I ended up with front track 2-7/16" from centerline to table edge, 1-7/8" from ties to edge. That won’t be much room for scenery. And I have the fascia extended 1-1/4" above the front edge to prevent any rollover from free falling.
At the back, the story is different depending on what you plan there, scenery, background buildings, both.
The old standby HO 22" radius curves, of course, leave 2" from track center to edge. If I was buliding anew with lots of space, I’d consider (a) not running the front track strictly straight and parallel to the edge and (b) having a goal of enough space at the front, at least in some areas, for some small buildings, roadways, etc. between the edge and track. So it kinda depends on the situation.
I see no need to worry about the distance from the edge if your trackwork is reliable and your operating practices are reasonable for the situation - why limit yourself needlessly?
Wayne
Wayne:
Every time I look at that tall curved track work my respect (i.e. fear) for heights kicks in! I couldn’t model something like that. I’d have to hold my breath every time the train was on that track![swg][(-D][(-D]
Dave
I’m not a fan of heights either, but that long grade should be less scary once the plaster-over-screen landforms close up the drop on the inside of the curve. As for the outside, the operator walks alongside as the train travels, so any trouble can be spotted immediately. Train speed here is low - 30mph upbound and 15mph down, and most trains don’t get anywhere near 30 going up due to the curves and 2.5% grade.
I haven’t run many trains downhill here, as the track on the upper level is unfinished. I do run trains up the hill in order to set tonnage limits for locomotives, but they simply back down after reaching the summit.
Wayne
The operative word here is if.
Don’t listen to Wayne. [swg]
Leave at least 2 inches at the edge of the layout.
Rich
Ok, here is my closest to the edge. I put a slight bank toward the inside on the straight to keep it from tumbling over the edge.
Roger
I dunno, Rich - if your trackwork is lousy and you run your trains at rocket-sled speeds, I doubt you’d worry about derailments or other mishaps - they’re already built-in. [:P]
I’ve always considered my comments to be simply my [2c] worth, but with the plummeting Canadian dollar, hardly worthwhile, I suppose. Besides that, we’ve discontinued use of the penny, so take it for what it’s worth. [swg][(-D]
Sure, shatter the dreams of the poor guy with room for only a 2" wide shelf layout. [(-D][(-D]
Wayne
My current layout, closest to edge is a whopping .25" (straightaway section) from edge of ties to edge of layout… But, because in have a cat, I ringed the layout edges in plexiglass “shields”, so, even if something leaves the tracks, no chance at hitting the floor of the abyss…
And, incase you wondered, yes, the plexiglass “shield” does indeed keep the kitty off of the layout.
My 4’x6’ leads to close to the edge tracks. At one spot there is near 0" to the end of the ties. I use plexiglass that slips in behind the facia and stands about 6" above it. At the time I did it there were clumsy little fingers and heavy “footed” operators. I basically used the ideas in the “Expert Tips” videos section above on making a plexiglass safety fence.
Good luck,
Richard
Duane, you’ve been at this a lot longer than me, but I’ll just mention a few things. What the distance “should” be depends on your goals. I’m guessing you’re just looking for the industry standard. I started on a 4x8 HO layout with a 22" radius outer oval. That put the center of my tracks about 2" from the edge. I shifted the loop toward the back of the layout so it was right against the back edge in order to give me some extra space on the front. I still didn’t think this was sufficient for a “realistic” look. My personal priority is the scenery and seeing a train pass through a landscape. A train running on the edge of a table with stuff behind it doesn’t accomplish that for me. I extended my table 3" to insert some scenery between the viewer and the train. This works much better for me.
Setback from the edge???
What is this set-back ewe speak of?
ROARING
My thoughts are get as close to the edge as you like but if you want to safe guard from trains falling off the edge, you can put a lip or guard rail, perhaps a piece of plexiglass there to prevent trains from going over.
Here’s my rule of thumb:no less then a boxcar laying on its side…You see should I have a (loud gasp!) derailment or a oops! while uncoupling a car the derailed or knocked over car will still be on the layout and not on the floor.