O60 track

I"m no expert, but 060 is 60 inches center rail to center rail in tubular, I think anyway.   That means 60' (5 feet) PLUS about 3 more minimum.   But lets see what the experts say...

That’s what I thought when I measured it out but I am using Lionel fast track so that would be right at the edge or over hang a bit. By giving a extra 1/2 foot that would be a extra 3 inches on both sides but I have had some people say it won’t work which I can’t figure out.

Depends on how you define "work",  while the three inch clearance on each side may technically fit the track within your space, some would worry that in case of a derailment, it would not be enough space to protect your equipment. Also, if you decide to have plexiglass along the edge for protection, your engines that have a 60 inch minimum may overhang the track.  Best, Dave

Actually I believe tubular track is measured from out side of tie to outside of tie. I have seen people put together a half

circle and measure, never works,  You have to have a full circle. It took me a while to convince a seller as I was returning

his rare marx 037 track.

I looked at the Track and Power catalog and there is no mention I could easily find as to what 060 means in terms of radius.

I am not sure I have ever heard reference to radius when discussing tinplate track. All measurements refer to diameter.

@Merlin posted:

Hello guys, I have a quick question. I have collected all the track and houses I need for my layout. At the train show last weekend I was talking to a couple sellers and asked them if I could get away with 5 1/2 feet width on my layout to fit O60 on my layout. The odd thing is some said yes and some said it might not. Now I’m scratching my head here. I have bigger locomotives that is minimal O60. Does anybody have a answer for this? Thanks for all the replies. Mark

I have the same problem where the larger engines need the 060 fastrack . I have the 036 inch track in a loop on 42 inch wide plywood on the floor and the little extra room on the edges wouldn't be enough if it were raised up off the floor . The 060 would need a six foot wide table to be on the safe side and even then you would need to be careful on the curves to prevent your trains from ending up on the floor.

If you have the space, measure it out on the floor and mark it off with painters tape. Then experiment with the various curves and your equipment.

Fastrack is measured center rail to center rail. The width of the track + roadbed is about 3.5", so the total width of a circle of 060 would be about 63.5". It'll fit in 5 1/2 feet (66") but you'll have less than 2" between the edge of the roadbed and the wall/edge of benchwork.