Or just buy another piece of plywood. 
You can buy 2x4 pieces at most lumber stores, that would solve the problem and still keep the 8 foot intact.
I just went through the same dilema and I went with Reatrax and regret it. The tubular track is much more sturdy and I think will probably last longer. CTT also has great track plans for 8 X 4 layouts. I still have tubular track that is 70 years old and it still looks and works great and you can pick up switches much cheaper too especially since the asking price for Lionel Fast Track remote controlled switches cost any where from 65.00-100.00 depending on the type you want 031, 042, etc.
Kevin
I have been away from trains for 20 years and looking to get back. Looking at a 4X10 table but not sure the max curves that would work i.e 042. Any recommendations on table size i.e 4X10, 5X9. limited for space.
Thanks, Joe
Iād be tempted to go for 5x9, you can get a couple of mainlines in there comfortably. You might do some trial layouts on the max sizes you have to see what will fit.
Look into sectional Gargraves track, which comes as small as O31.
Thanks for the layout and track information. I guess it is a matter of choice. I have a lot of Lionel track O track with 031 and 042 curves but looking for something that runs quieter. Not sure how well 042 would fit on a 4X10.
Actually looking at purchasing the āMianneā company (4X10) sectional track tables.
Joe
Cover your plywood with a sheet of Homosote or Celotex and paint it light brown, earth tone color. That will help with sound reduction, and it makes it easy to screw down the track. The 042 track should leave 2-1/2 to 3 inches between the edge of the plywood to the track.
Steve
Well, donāt go with Fastrack, itās noisier than tubular track! The 42" diameter curves will barely fit on the 4 foot table, but you wonāt have much room between the edge of the table and the track.
jd5504 - I use O-42 on 4 foot wide benchwork, and it looks great. Adding buildings, trees, and other scenic elements have helped to create interest at this end of my layout.
You can just add an extension on to your 4 X 8 layout, I extended mine to 5.5 X 8 and I am using 042 curves. This worked out perfectly and the trains do not run on the edge. If you are concerned with a seem showing on your ground cover just use a peice of masking tape to cover it and then lay your ground cover. If you havenāt laid you ground cover thatās even better but you still need the tape if you are covering it with a foam board as they only come in 4 X 8 sheets.
042 track can be had in 027-size rail allowing for concentric loops. if you equipment is short and you are willing to do a little searching, you can also find matching-height Marx 034 and have THREE concentric loops.
Welcome back to the hobby. Fast track is too noisey and limited in radius selection. Tubular is good and inexpensive and comes in many radiuses and you can cut it to fit. I also like non rusting MTH Real Trax but like all plastic roadbbed it is noisey. It has optional rubber plug in pads which help. I have not tried Atlas but usually ties without plastic roadbed are less noisey. Kline had a nice tie only tubular track but unfortunately they are out of business.
I actually got started in American Flyer in 1948 (Christmas Gift). Idrifted from toy trains to āscaleā and returned via Lionel and Williams By Bachman. I personally like the tubular track. Part of it is cost, but I feel there is more flexibility there.
I would say to use MTH RealTrax.
It combines FasTrack with the radius of tubular track.
Hi! Been a lot of changes in the last ten years, not the least of these, are the prices. Tubular track is more economical than the Real Trax, Gargraves and Fastrak and there is still a lot of it available. Of course, it all depends on the ālookā you want. If you are concerned with the noise, Homasote on top of the plywood works well. If you can āstretchā your space, I would suggest 5x9. Lastly, I did consider, at one point, going the Mianne route but it was beyond my budget. Whatever you decide, take your time and keep us updated.
Just as a note-I recently used Sievers benchwork for a portion of my scale On30 logging layout and found the product to be excellent. Service and attention to detail by Sievers was also top notch. Granted, it all comes at a premium but I was more than satisfied.