most effective layout options for consists requiring 72 degree curves

I think you mean "diameter" rather than "degrees."  The 72 inch diameter circle requires a few inches in width more than 72" on the table. So, a table needs to be larger than 6 feet in width.

you're right, I did mean diameter -- long day, brain fizzled.  I think rather than one table being six feet in width, I can use four smaller tables with space in the center for me to stand and tweak things like building, wiring, scenery. Thanks for pointing me where I need to go.

Yes, the "doughnut" table is the one I had as a kid. It was made from 8-foot long and 6-foot long by 2 foot wide plywood pieces, arranged in a big rectangle with two openings in the middle.

Would really help to know the size of the room.

@CAPPilot I'll get that information in the thread this evening after work.  It helps that the dining room (which is the operative space I'm using for my layouts) opens into the living room, and I've extended spurs into the latter room for a few layouts.  The living room (which dimensions I'll also post to the thread) has a bay window at the Northern edge, making it perfect for my Halloween haunted village layout.  By now, it's probably apparent that my layouts are transient -- two pairs of sawhorses I built, two frames, and two pairs of 4'x4' plywood, each pair hinged in the center.  Gives me great flexibility, but doesn't make for a good permanent layout.

I did it with  a U layout, the table is like 36" wide all along the U. Means I have a bridge on the open end, but it also means I have access easily. In a dining room that may not work right though. Mine is roughly 9x14 in size. Once you figure out your effective space and/or can post a drawing of the space, folks on here are pretty good with suggestions.

I was definitely considering the U with a bridge on the open side.  My only problem there i the bridge long enough to make that work is atlas, and I haven't been able to make atlas work with tubular or fastrack. I bought some joiners designed to combine tubular and atlas, but the joins didn't conduct well.  I know the answer to this issue is run drops below the hinged table surfaces -- I just haven't done that yet, because the electricity aspect is not my forte (yet).

@PeterB posted:

I was definitely considering the U with a bridge on the open side.  My only problem there i the bridge long enough to make that work is atlas, and I haven't been able to make atlas work with tubular or fastrack. I bought some joiners designed to combine tubular and atlas, but the joins didn't conduct well.  I know the answer to this issue is run drops below the hinged table surfaces -- I just haven't done that yet, because the electricity aspect is not my forte (yet).

I kind of have the same issue, I have a double track main that will go over the bridge (the track laying crew has been on extended hiatus in Las Vegas for like 6 months!).  For now I am going to put in a temporary bridge when the track gets to the gap, but my hope is to build a tall lift bridge to avoid doing the duck under. MTH used to have a fairly long bridge, I have seen them at train shows, might be an alternative. There are some nice bridges by folks like Trainworx or East Coast enterprises (both forum sponsors) but they are pretty expensive.

I'll look at MTH for their option... I hadn't even considered them, but why not.

The cheating approach for me is just a plywood length  .75" x 2" x 48" with tracks across it -- I've done that before, it's just not as stable as I'd like.

@PeterB posted:

I'll look at MTH for their option... I hadn't even considered them, but why not.

The cheating approach for me is just a plywood length  .75" x 2" x 48" with tracks across it -- I've done that before, it's just not as stable as I'd like.

I don't know if MTH even makes it any more, but I am sure if you look you can prob find one somewhere. I am trying to remember the length, I thought it was 30 something inches. **further note- I think it is 30", and Trainworld had them, but I am sure if you look you will find them elsewhere as well.