edge spacing

[crip]

I really enjoy the layouts posted on sunday photo fun,but I have noticed that some of the layouts have the track on or very close to the edge of the layout. I don't own/run any collector or high end equipment, just starter set stuff, but I don't want to see my trains end up on the grand floor canyon! Do those that have track close to the edge worry about that?

[Dave Farquhar]

When running O27 track at high speeds, I don't think there's such thing as too much space from the edge of the track to the edge of the table. Now that my outer loop is O42, my locomotives can take curves at speeds that I remember used to spell disaster, so I don't worry as much about the edge. I still give myself a couple of inches of clearance, and I'm thinking seriously about shortening my long straights a little to give myself a couple more, but wider curves definitely give you a lot more leeway. Or if you don't have the space, ease into the curve. Instead of going straight-O27-O27-straight to get around a corner, go O72-O54-O27-O54-O72. Then the change of direction is more gradual and less jarring.

Even better yet, ease into curves and use wide diameters, although with O27-profile track your options there are a little limited. O54 and O72 curves are 22.5 degrees and O27 and O34 curves are 45 degrees. O42 curves are 30 degrees. So if you're making an oval, you can't transition into O42s or use them as transition curves without cutting track.

[Anonymous]

Another option is to place a 4" high lucite guard rail around the edge.

Daniel Lang

[Roger Bielen]

That's what's called "Living on the edge" [:D]

Seriously, when land scaping you could use trees, shrubs, berms, etc. as stops in areas where an engine might be likely to leave the board. On the bottom of a tight curve on a grade I have a hill, at another area trees. On my old layout I brought the facia up an additional 1 -1/2", it did save one or two runaways when the granddaughters were at the throttle.

[Anonymous]

If you are running with a conventional transformer, and have to worry about kids or other "engineers" running it, buy those sticky-back plastic "feet" sold to keep objects from marring tables. Put one on the transformer to keep the lever or handle from traveling past the "danger zone". Joe

[lionelsoni]

In addition to making better use of the space, an around-the-walls layout has the advantage that the edges tend to be on the insides of curves, while speeding trains tend to derail to the outside. On the other hand, you have to put the outside tracks some distance from the walls so as not to hit the walls going into and out of curves. Unless you use spiral curves, as described by Dave above, which allow the train to move gently a little away from the wall before beginning the serious cornering.

They also give you much of the look of larger curves, while taking up very little more corner space.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

I just finished adding a 6 inch extension on the open sides of my layout. The track was at the edge and it was a source of concern. The new edge will allow me room for a road and provide a buffer for runaways.
Jim

[wrmcclellan]

It worries me. My track is closer to the edge than I like, so I made my facia board extend about 1/2 inch above the layout surface for a bit of extra protection.

Regards,
Roy