36" Diameter Tabletop = ?

I think Lionel O31 which is 31" O.D. is all that will fit. I believe Lionel Fast Track is 40" O.D. In the description of the RTR sets they say 40" x 60" oval. Of course that is the O.D. of the outside edge of the road bed. I just measured the Fast Track, it's 39 1/4" to outside edge of roadbed. Hope this helps.

most, but not all track is measured from center rail to center tail, so a complete curcle of 031 track would fit on a table with a diameter of 33". if it is fastrack with built in roadbed you would probably need 35" diameter table.  ross track ties are about 2 1/8 wide, so you would have to add 2 inches or so to the track diameter for the table diameter.

Most other scales measure curve in RADIUS, to center of track.

O Tubular was historically measured in DIAMETER to TIE ENDS.

I believe that Fastrack and Realtrax are measured diameter from center to center, as is Atlas O. Others I am not sure about.

Doug

ok thanks guys, so basically a Lionel o-48 Fast Track circle would fit on a 48" round table or close to it?

no, you have to add at least 3" for track with roadbed, so 048 fastrack would need a 51" table(minimum)

guy above your post says it is 39 1/4". this topic has been kicked around so much on this forum its arse must hurt....jim

My idea is to buy 2 round wooden unfinished table tops...I will figure out how to mount them later.

I want to create a office or Bedroom layout, that is kind of integrated into the furnature and decor.

Since this will be the 2nd bedroom, I have taken over for my trains, I need to be more stylish and less man cave.

And I should have been a little more specific. I measured the std Fast Track, which I believe is O36?? So I would assume O48 would need around 51 1/2" min. And I actually measured across a circle of my fast track. A 60" round top would be nice for O48 that would give you aprox 4 1/2" form edge of table to edge of track, (ballast).

Thanks guys!

Which track and what size table to do you want to use?

It's also possible, if a quick change to plain bedroom is needed, to work in some supports-flat-topped solid wood buildings, mountains or stone dumps at a coal mine will do. The actual support can come from sections of dowel rod camouflaged into the scenery, furring strip building frames or what have you. Add a matching size thin wood top that rests on the supports and throw a tablecloth over the table when someone who doesn't appreciate trains is using the room. That might minimize the chance of a bedside glass of water spilling onto the tracks, etc. There are all kinds of possibilities, including under-table storage if you need it.

if you do need the storage, consider the possibility of a slotted base instead of regular table legs. An even better alternative is a pair of 24" wide, 30" tall wall cabinets fastened back to back. That setup would leave you plenty of room to store trains, smoke fluid and so on.

--Becky