Edge spacing

[Bsklarski]

OK this one is for you guys who have smaller layouts and door layouts. What seems to be the magic number for the amount of room from the track centerline to the edge of the layout. I am thinking 3 inches incase something wobbles over. Anyone do less and if so what are the results? Im trying to go with the widest curves I can.

[Rossford Yard]

3" would be great, but in all my years of MRR, I don't know anyone who doesn't push the curves right out to the edge, with the cork right on the edge.  I even belonged to the old White Pines club in Chicago, and with a 45 x 85 foot layout, their track was following the edge all the way!

On my former IHB layout, I swung the mains out to about an inch from the edge in one critical spot, and luckily, nothing ever hit the floor.  If you have an inch of scenery (maybe 1.5" CL away from edge) and can build a little raised ridge, that will stop most stuff from going over the edge.

[Bsklarski]

I dont want to put the cork to the edge. I want a buffer in case something falls over. I was thinking 3" should be enough for anything out there. Its not like im going to run as fast as the stuff can go, I think I have more or a chance to string line stuff than to force it to the outside.

[w neal]

Here's a "differnt" point of view:

Put the track as close to the edge as you want, but raise the facia ABOVE (oh, that goes against conventional thinking  ) the edge of the layout something like 1/4th inch or more. This creates a barrier for a falling car. Of course, I am assuming (and we all not what that does) that you will not be "lionelling" (running at warp speed) your train around any curves. One of the other nice things this does is it gives you a place to rest your hands as you work on sceney.

Just food for thought.

[Flagler]

 

[Kisatchie]

I decided a long time ago that I'm putting a 1-1/2" high plexiglass barrier along the edge of my (not in the foreseeable future) layout.


Hmm... talk about being
embarrassed! My whole
treehouse is Plexiglass...

[Bsklarski]

I like the raised faschia idea. Im alas thinking or making a retaining wall and an about 1" of scenery between it and the retaining wall. If something decides it wants to remind me of my crappy trackwork, it can do so without falling on the floor. (yes. a few years ago an HO brass caboose and an atlas engine went for a ride onto a concrete floor.)

[SP-Wolf]

I also went with about a 3" space and 1/4" above the table with my facia.

Can't be too careful,
Wolf

[MVW]

I'm about 2" from the edge of the table, with the fascia raised about 1/4" above the foam. No problems ... so far. (Knocks on wood).

Jim

[robert3985]

Y'know, in all my years of modeling in N-scale, both at home and on various different types of modules, I've never had a car or engine go over the edge.

However, I've had 'em go down through unfinished benchwork before I've laid in my extruded Styrofoam scenery base.  Worst damage was two etched running boards having to be replaced.  Thank goodness for carpet!

I also had a couple of brass Alco FA's go over the end of one module while testing my wiring!

But, never over the edge.

So....I just flat don't worry about it since in my experience (decades) this had not been a problem.  Why waste sleep and worry time over something that isn't going to be a problem?

However, I do spend a lot of time and effort making sure my trackwork is as flawless as I can make it, and I also make sure that the modules in my modular layout are as near perfectly level as the bubble is willing to tell me.

If you're going to run your trains at Lionel/American Flyer speeds, and if your trackwork is waaaaay substandard, and if your benchwork doesn't have a 90 deg. angle anywhere in it...then maybe you should worry.

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

[Scottl]

I actually used a minimum of 3" from the edge primarily for the benefit of scenery.  I think it looks much better to have a substantial amount of scenery in front of the trains.  It meant some of my curves were as tight as 12.5", but I don't think that was much of a compromise. 

[peteski]

Brian, you might want to consider an alternative: clear acrylic (Plexiglas) barrier. It doesn't have be too tall and no matter how close the track is to the edge, you won't have to worry about cars falling off the layout.  This one is right in the yard area and it does not interfere with the yard operations.  It is also removable (for possible photo sessions).


Larger image http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8540/mrlgarrisonyard2.jpg

[Zox]

To borrow from our modular group's standards, where the mainline is usually placed 2.5" from the front of the module:

The centerline of a mainline track must never be less than 2.25" from any unprotected edge of the module...edges may be protected by placing obstructions between the edge and the mainline. These obstructions must extend at least .50" above the railhead, and must be sufficiently "solid" so that a standard-height boxcar cannot pass through any gaps.

I've used both elevated scenery and Plexiglass/acrylic for edge protection.