How much space do you prefer between the track and the edge of your layout?

Ken, from my Very Limited experience I like 1-3 inches.

Tom

My rule is that if the track has to be at the edge, I put it on 4 inch centers, or in other words, I put the center of the track 2 inches from the edge.     I generally space adjacent tracks on 4 inch centers too.    

Now there are always exceptions regarding rules, when a situation exists that just won't work without some unique plan.

Also, as to reaching in, I generally limit my benchwork work to 30-36 inches.     As long as the layout is 48 inches or lower, I can reach in that far, although 36 is a little beyond.     This is one reason why I prefer around the walls layouts to island type layouts.    I can reach in to fix or work on things.    

More than I currently have...

It  varies.  Except for bridges, I rarely run track parallel to any edge.  Either the track is on an angle or the benchwork is wavy or on an angle.

I also like to position obstructions between the track and the platform edge so as to increase viewers interest.  Anything to reduce boxie rigid anticipated lines.

I can't say I have a preference really.  Sometimes it's close the edge.  Sometimes not.  The closest I come is 5/8 of an inch (picture).  I have some side boards that stick up about 1.5" to prevent catastrophes.

For esthetics I generally like the edge to not be parallel with the track:

But sometimes it is more convenient to have the edge follow the track:

I prefer track close to the edge so I am right in the scene with the train.

I have tried view-blocks between the track and the edge but found such to be a distraction rather than adding interest. I'm sure this is a very personal issue though.

I would be afraid of an expensive, full featured locomotive derailing and falling to my concrete floor, if I ran a track too close to the edge with out a side rail of some sort.

In a perfect world, 12" would be nice. This would allow foreground scenery and meandering space for the track. Unfortunately, we usually don't have a perfect world, so in those situations 4" from edge to track center is good.

On my layout straight sections are at a minimum 2.5" from the end of the table to outside rail. Curves have about 8" till the end of the table. Trains are more likely to derail on curves, hence the extra space.

For me scenery and structures are just as important as the trains and track plan.  That being said I like 10" - 12" for the front and 4" along the back.  The sides vary from 4" - 6".

If I had the space I would prefer 12" so I could have some really nice scenic elements.

Since I don't have the space, 1/2" is fine in some areas but I try for 3".

-Greg

Greg Houser posted:

If I had the space I would prefer 12" so I could have some really nice scenic elements.

Since I don't have the space, 1/2" is fine in some areas but I try for 3".

-Greg

I think you mean 1/2' not 1/2".

But my track center is 3" from the edge and 6" from the wall.  I wish I had more room for the edge, but then I wouldn't be able to get a loop of O72.  Problem with a small room.

I'm amazed at how close to the edge some of you are willing to go!  Ken is asking about the distance to the center rail; perhaps some of you are quoting from the edge of the ties (or in the case of Fasttrack, the edge of the roadbed.)

More is better, especially for scenery / aesthetics.  But since I'm after max action in a small space, it's going to be the minimum that I need for clearance.  For example, a postwar 773 will negotiate O36 curves.  But there's a TON of overhang.  Some of my designs have the back of the layout against a wall.  Before I fasten down my track, or even draw any more track plans, I probably need to measure precisely how much clearance I need.  That's going to determine how close I can place the track to the edge of the table.  Also using similar logic, this clearance determines the minimum spacing between adjacent tracks.  With long passenger cars, underhang (on the inside of a curve) is a thing, too.

Honestly, I wish there were a reference table with this type of data.  But NMRA standards, etc., are based on wide-radius curves, which have less overhang.  In the toy train world, a lot of folks recommend 5"-6" between track centers.  But that wastes a lot of valuable space.  I know from experience that you can get closer than 6" between track centers, as long as you're not running articulated locos.  Since my railroad will be set in the northeast, it's not a problem.

Getting back to the original question, 6" parallel track spacing would be almost like having the center rail 3" from the platform edge.  Good topic!!

Most of us don't have the space we wish we had so only have 1" from the edge to the ties. I wish I had allowed 3" for better looks.

I like to have enough so that if a derailment happens, it's likely that everything stays on the table.  I'm planning on having at least 4-5" for my new layout.

Ted, my experience is limited. So I guess I figured from the edge of the ties. I have Fastrack and my 1-3 inches is from the edge of the ballast edge. I currently have limited room so I tried to get the most in space allotted. If I had the room I would certainly have much more space. Appreciate your insight. It is a big help. Thank you.

Tom

Ted S posted:

I'm amazed at how close to the edge some of you are willing to go!  Ken is asking about the distance to the center rail; perhaps some of you are quoting from the edge of the ties (or in the case of Fasttrack, the edge of the roadbed.)

 

Sorry Mr. Ted, but going back and re-reading Ken's request multiple times, I cannot for the life of me see where Ken specifies whether he's talking the distance to the center rail, outer rail, edge of ties, edge of roadbed, or anywhere in between or outside those particular points.

Or am I missing something? 

Well, even though various manufacturers may specify diameter differently, for this particular question, the answer of how close to the edge would be offset by the same amount (no matter what track you use) if you ask for center rail vs outside rail.  (unless the question is multi-gauge, then you would obviously have a different delta from center rail or outer rail when measuring to an edge of table or wall)

I'm using edge of table to outer rail in my below comment.

When I had my layout in an apartment right up to the edges of the walls, I was pretty close.  I used O72 for that outer loop, and it was close enough that I had to run an EM-1 through pretty slow to make sure it would not clip the wall as it transitioned from the curve to the short straight sections I had that were parallel to the wall.  Those straight sections probably weren't more than maybe 2" (possibly less, but it's been a while) away from the wall.  If I recall, it was probably only something like 1/16 or maybe 1/8 inch clearance for the worst overhang to not hit the wall.

For edges of the table that lead to the floor, I'll agree with what a few others said above.  If something derails, I want it staying on the table, not falling to the hard floor.  So I'd say at least 3-4 inches minimum, assuming you aren't going at racing speed that could cause an engine to do more than just topple onto it's side if it were to derail.

-Dave

Safety in case of derailment/tip-over is a bigger determining factor for me as opposed to scenic effects and appearance.  I would prefer to have about 4" minimum from the edge of the table to the nearest rail.

If that minimum is achieved, then the appearance and scenic opportunities can start coming into play.  But, everybody's different, and situations can and will vary on every layout.

Two inches in some places but then the trains are being switched and don't run at 100 miles an hour! Some of these tracks have been down for years without any great dramas my operators are careful without being obsessed we have very relaxing sessions every week. Where those Coal hoppers are sitting it's only one and a quarter inches from the edge never even think about it.   Roo.

I like to keep the rails about four inches from the side of the layout. More would be great but realistate is in demand .When guest come to your layout they naturally need to rest their hands somewhere so a small hand rail on the edge of the layout is what I plan on in the future.

FARMERJOHN I really like the hand rail idea.  Never gave it a thought but it's something I'll be adding.  Thanks.

Mixed Freight posted:

Ted S posted:

I'm amazed at how close to the edge some of you are willing to go!  Ken is asking about the distance to the center rail; perhaps some of you are quoting from the edge of the ties (or in the case of Fasttrack, the edge of the roadbed.)

 

Sorry Mr. Ted, but going back and re-reading Ken's request multiple times, I cannot for the life of me see where Ken specifies whether he's talking the distance to the center rail, outer rail, edge of ties, edge of roadbed, or anywhere in between or outside those particular points.

Or am I missing something? 

All, I was not very precise in asking my original question: I just said from the track to the edge of the table.   From the center rail would be a more precise way of replying, but I thought I would get more responses when asked the other way:  easier to estimate that distance.   I appreciate responses in any format.

Thanks for all the responses and discussion, very interesting!  -Ken

Ken, your track planning is amazing and this thread has really been educational. All of the input has been interesting. As I mentioned to you in another of your planning threads I hope to have a bigger room in the future so I can have your expert planning services. In the meantime will just enjoy all of your marvelous layouts.

Tom

I like 4 inches on straight runs and 8 to 12 on the curves. I like to leave room for scenery and crash blockers so I don't worry letting a youngster operate.