a size question

Some basics.  I'll use Atlas Track as a reference. Track curves, three rail, are measure in diameter.  O27 refers to a 27" diameter.  O54  54" diameter. The ping pong table has 5 ft or 60" ends, so an O54 1/2 circle would make the end of the ping pong table.   The 4ft ends, 48", of the plywood extension would work O45 curves or smaller.  You can work a 45" 1/2 circle into 48" of plywood. 

Atlas curves (diameters)

O27

O36

O45

O54

O63

O72

O81

and larger.

Try a sketch on graph-paper each block 1 ft or 6".

Hope this helps.

Mike CT

thanks "Mike CT"

rdeal

Tough question. It could be all three depending on who it's for and what they were after. I would say that you have a pretty good size for a layout. However, the space will fill up faster than you think once you get started. There are many people that don't have layouts this large and some with much larger ones.

Sounds like you have buildings in mind so next would be what type of track, types of trains and rolling stock, what you want on the layout, available area, and a track plan would be good places to start. Getting all that figured out is the first step. when it is more defined others will be able to offer more ideas.

SCARM is a free layout planning program that appears to be quite nice from what I have seen others post here. I am not one of them, but there are many here that are pretty good with it. Might be something to try, taking what Mike CT recommended a bit further. Getting something down on paper might give you a better idea of what you are after and if it will fit in the layout size you are considering.

thanks rt

here's what it will look like. Lionel O circles for reference. Click on attachment.

Well.. the large curve suggestion is a form of rivet counting. What is being avoided is "unrealistic pilot and car overhang" I.e. the cow catchers stick out "too far" around the outside edge when in corners, and long cars hangover on the inside edge between the trucks(wheels).

But also much tin wasn't really designed for O-27. Avoiding it has more to do with mechanical ability(swing) of the couplers on 7" or longer cars, or modular streamliners bodies binding or hitting each other, than looks of the pilot. Large curves will promote a quiet feeling, For more "action", sharp turns, weavings, crossings, and direction change is lots of fun though not prototypical. Allowing at least a little "operations" into the design to be built, might be a good idea. Should you fall deeper into tin trains as a hobby (most do) you will likely be glad you did it. Either way, it will enhance the "village" overall.

Another consideration in tin, is train brand vs track brand. The old MARX trains don't like Lionel turnouts, crossings, etc. and vica-versa. "Plain old tubular" without added goodies, and you should be fine mixing it up. The differences are flanges that bottom out, and gears formed close to the flange, effectively making the MARX wheels too wide to go trough narrower Lionel "points and frogs"(turnout parts). I don't know how modern plastic "roadbed track like Fastrack handle tin.   

Larger curves also allow the trains to be run faster without derailing. For me, that is a consideration when the trains are going to be used by children.