how big of a table do i need?

[3railguy]

Sounds like you want to use the fastrack that comes with the sets you are looking at. As others have pointed out, 027 track is cheaper and you can fit more on a 4 x 8 table. However you are limited to engines that will work on Lionel's 027 track system. There are problems with switch machine interferences.

Fastrack is a good system and works well with magnetraction. However, as others noted, it is more expensive and a bit noisier. But, it can be stuffed with foam to quiet things down. 027 track is noisy unless you put resilient roadbed under it. 027 curves are extremely sharp compared to fastrack and it is easy to flip trains when your kids are highballing.

[eZAK]

As Bigboy mention, scope out how much room you have available.
Then start small (4x8) with plans to expand.

I'm not a fan of Fasttrack either, for reasons mention above.

When I just started out I used O-27 track. I found it cheap at yard sales and shows.
I've sinced moved up to http://gargraves.com/ when I built my last 2 layouts.
I would have used http://www.atlaso.com/welcome.htm steel if it were available at the time.

[daan]

Besides that, as mentionned in the TCC, fasttrack is lousy for magnetraction! If you're buying trains on a budget (which we all do) the chances are that old Lionel will show up on your layout. The magnetraction is working best on the cheap tubular track.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Boonter, if you are using tubular track those smaller dimensions will work. Fastrack's sharpest curve is larger than regular O, which means you won't be able to fit as much into the same space.

[Boonter]

As an inexpierenced newbie this topic is timely. I'm starting to re-do my original table and am curious about that 54-60" measurement for double mainlins. In my original experiment, I had two lines running partly together...an 027 running inside an 031 around a half circle befor they went off seperatly. To my inexperienced eye it worked out. Two train could go around at the same time, or could pass in opposite directions.

My new layout calls for two 48" legs of a U shaped set up, and also 48" at the bottom of the U. I will go with the 027-031 configuration. The two lines are noyt going to interconnect. Am I working with a full tool box?[8)][?]

[Big_Boy_4005]

No, no, no, you have it all backwards. The question isn't how big of a table do you need, it's how much room do you have!!!! Train layouts expand to fill space.[swg]

Seriously though, I'm not in love with the Fastrack system. It is noisey and creatively limiting. Use it if you want to, but if you have a small space regular 027 track is a better choice in my opinion. There are a lot of nice classic plans for a 4x8 table using 027 track. Try this link for some good basic ideas.

http://thortrains.com/

[Dave Farquhar]

Pirata, you could probably get by with as small as a 4'x5' table to start with, but that's only enough room for a couple of loops. A 4'x8' is a more comfortable minimum. It's big enough to do something more interesting. Later on you can add a second 4x8 table to give yourself enough room for a 2-line mainline and stuff like that.

[cnw1995]

Pirata, in this scale, it is rare to find pre-made layotus. Of course if you have loads of money, you can get someone to make one for you - or you can join a local club and meet other guys who may be willing to help you. By the way, you are asking all sorts of great questions. It helped me immensely to get a book - in fact several books - and magazines. If you don't want to buy 'em right away, go to the library - they'll be a section for model trains books - and enjoy reading about it. But to give you my opinon, you can fit a standard oval on a 3 x 5 table. You can also use a standard 4 x 8 sheet of plywood or foam insulatiob board - you can put them on folding table legs or even workshop 'horses' - you can make mountains in all sorts of creative ways - one way is to staple together a lattice-work of cardboard strips, stuff it with newspaper balls, and cover with it plaster of paris...

[3railguy]

The diameter of fastrack is 36" nominal so you need at least a 42" wide table for one loop. 48" will allow a passing track. For a twin track mainline, you'll need 54 or 60"

There are many methods to making mountains and several books have been published. A favorite is realistic Model Railroad Scenery by Dave Frary. An earlier favorite was published by Bill Mc Clanahan. The two prefered methods are hardshell scenery made with industrial paper towels soaked in hydrocal plaster over waded newspaper and foam board scenery made with laminated and carved foam insulation board. The hardshell method is by far the cheapest but can be messy.

[Anonymous]

How big of a table do I need for a Fastrack track,

This will be my first train and layout.
I want to be able to add 1 or 2 more trains to the layout later on.

Also, how do you guys make the mountains? or you buy the layouts premade?

Thanks for the tips in advance