Scale Train Track

Minimum space for train layout?

I just ordered a beautiful train set to run through a Christmas village and it will be here in a week. It is an On30 scale train, which runs on an HO gauge track. I have the perfect location in mind for it, but am afraid the space is too small at only 54″ x 17″. Is it possible to build a narrow oval layout to fit my space for a train of this size? I have scoured the Internet for answers with no luck, so I’m hoping someone here knows. Thanks in advance!
P.S. I just looked at my space again and figured I can actually go to 54″ x 20″, which is three inches wider than I originally figured.

Wow. That’s a pretty tight space. You might just be able to get an oval in there using flex-track but the radius of your curve will be really tight. It’s the kind of curve radius you’d expect to see on a trolley layout, featuring streetcars. Hopefully, your train cars will be short so you won’t have too much overhang, and truck mounted couplers so the couplers stay centered over the middle of the track to prevent derailments.

One trick I’ve seen in tight spaces like that is to run the train back and forth through the village instead of around and around. It would require some circuitry in order to automate, but shouldn’t be too difficult if you happen to be electronically inclined.

Too bad you didn’t go with N scale. Your space would have been plenty!

LGB G Scale Model Railroad Train Starter Set #20701 DC Passenger in Box w/Track $151.50

“N” SCALE TRAIN TRACK W/JOINERS (50 PCS OF 5″ STRAIGHT & 50 PCS 9 3/4″ CURVED $40.00

HO Scale Train Track New 32pcs gbb IHC Model Power New $19.99

HO Scale Train New 50 pieces HO Curved Track gbb ihc Model Power $25.00

HO Scale Train New 50 pieces HO Straight Track gbb ihc Model Power $25.00

Bachmann HO Scale – Plasser EM80C Track Cleaning Motorized Lighted Train Car 609 $39.00

Lot Of Vintage Antique Lionel O Scale Train Engine Cars & Track SOLD AS IS $155.00

Mixed lot HO scale track, train cars, transformer, building parts. over 40 pcs $9.99

McDonald’s 50th Anniversary Express Train Set – ON30 Scale HO – w/E-Z Track $56.55

Lot of 44 Atlas Ho H. O. Scale Model Train Railroad Track Derail Straight Curve $12.49

10 Pieces New Bright Plastic Train Track G Scale $25.00

12 Pieces New Bright Plastic Train Track G Scale $26.00

13 Pieces New Bright Plastic Train Track G Scale $28.00

Bachmann HO Scale – Plasser EM80C Track Cleaning Motorized Lighted Train Car 31 $29.99

48690 MARKLIN HO Track Scale Calibration Train Car Set $79.99

LIONEL LINES CABOOSE 6017 & SECTION OF TRACK O SCALE VINTAGE MODEL TOY TRAIN $44.99

Williams O-27 Scale 9 5/8 Curved Train Track 8 Pack New $12.00

US ARMY MISSLE FORCE TRAIN SET – E-Z TRACK SET – BY MODEL POWER – HO SCALE $69.95

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track System Nickel Silver/Gray 3″ Straight 44512 $6.61

Scientific Toys G Scale Train Set 20 pc track Engine, tender, Caboose, 2 others $99.99

ARISTO CRAFT TRAIN 4 BRASS TRACK SWITCHS WIDE RADIUS 1 RIGHT 3 LEFT G SCALE $199.99

ATLAS HO Scale Train Track Switch Used Lot Brass Snap 104 pieces $24.99

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 33.25″ Radius Curved 44508 $0.55

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray Remote Turnout Left 44561 $5.75

NOS Working HO Scale TRAIL BLAZER by LIFE LIKE Train Set NO. 8770 includes track $19.95

Bachmann HO Scale EZ Train Track Nickel Silver Gray Roadbed 16 Curve 8 Straight $14.50

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track System Accessory Crossing Gate 44579 $11.00

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray #4 Turnout Right 44558 $7.50

Bachmann HO Scale Train Track Nickel Silver/Gray Half 18″ Radius Curved 44531 $0.01

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 90 Degree Crossing 44541 $3.25

Bachmann N Scale Train E-Z Track System Nickel Silver/Gray 10″ Straight 44820 $2.15

NIB BACHMANN THE CHALLENGER HO SCALE TRAIN SET EZ TRACK UNION PACIFIC!! $19.99

Bachmann N Scale Train E-Z Track System Nickel Silver/Gray Hayes Bumpers 44891 $6.25

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 1/318′ Radius Curved 44530 $2.35

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 26″ Radius Curved 44519 $5.00

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 2.25″ Straight 44513 $2.84

Bachmann N Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 12.50″ Radius Curved 44852 $0.01

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track System 8 Piece Tall Pier Bridge Set 44472 $2.25

S SCALE 1 Quart MODEL RAILROAD TRAIN TRACK BALLAST $9.99

Bachmann HO Scale Train Without Track Analog Thomas The Tank Freight $10.51

Bachmann HO Scale EZ Train Track, Switch, Bumpers Nickel Silver w Gray Roadbed $20.35

Bachmann HO Scale EZ Train Track Steel Rails w Black Roadbed 12 Curve 4 Straight $10.50

Bachmann HO Scale Train Without Track Analog Thomas The Tank Emily $26.00

VTG Postwar 40s 50s Lionel Marx O Scale Track Switchers Uncoupler Toy Train Lot $21.99

Bachmann G Scale Train Brass Track 8 Foot Diameter Curved (16 pieces) 94655 $21.40

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 35.50 Radius Curved 44507 $0.61

N scale train accessories Life-Like 7406 General Store, Atlas & Bachmann track $9.95

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track System Nickel Silver/Gray 4.5″ Straight 44514 $0.55

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track System Accessory Rail Joiners 44499 $1.00

Bachmann G Scale Train Brass Track 3 Foot Straights (12 pieces) 94652 $55.00

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track System Steel/Black Remote Turnout Right 44462 $9.06

Bachmann HO Scale EZ Train Track Steel Rails w Black Roadbed 12 Curve 4 Straight $5.50

Bachmann HO Scale EZ Train Track, Switch, Bumpers Nickel Silver w Gray Roadbed $20.35

Bachmann N Scale Train E-Z Track Nickel Silver/Gray 10″ Str with terminal 44897 $6.75

Bachmann HO Scale EZ Train Track Steel Rails w Black Roadbed 16 Curve 4 Straight $9.50

Vintage / Lionel / O Scale / O27 / Train Track and Accessory Lot / Pre War ? $24.99

LOT 83 Pieces Tyco & More HO SCALE ASSORTED TRACK ***MUST SEE***& 1 Train- $4.95

22 ea. Lionel Train Large Scale Curve and Straight Track *Nice $14.99

AUTHENTIC HO SCALE ATHEARN TRAIN SET PASSENGER CARS EXTRA TRACK & CARS $45.00

ATLAS 2010 Track 2930 Trailers 2090 Metal 2091 Rail Joiners N Scale Train Lot $3.99

VINTAGE TYCO HO SCALE TRAIN TRACK (LARGE LOT)1960s…PLUS $19.99

HUGE 130+ Piece HO Scale Model Train Track Lot $49.99

Ahm, Atlas, Casadio, Life-Like, Brass Rail, HO Scale Model Train Track 24pc Lot $5.00

Vintage American Flyer Model Train Switch Track O Scale $10.47

VTG LOT ALTAS AHM TRAIN SET HO SCALE TRACK ALCO DIESEL SWITCHER – CARS PLUS MIX $24.95

VINTAGE O SCALE MODEL TRAIN TRACK CAR UNCOUPLER $12.99

Bachmann HO Scale Train E-Z Track System 10″ Green Switch Extension Wire 44598 $8.15

VINTAGE JAPAN TIN LITHO TRAIN SANTA FE ENGINE TRACK SHELL OIL TANK HO SCALE SET $99.99

New Bright Train track G scale – 16 pcs. 12 curves 12″ long and 4 straights 10″ $19.99

ARISTO CRAFT TRAIN ART 11000 STRAIGHT TRACK G SCALE BRASS L@@@K $20.50

ARISTO CRAFT TRAIN 29 FEET OF STRAIGHT TRACK G SCALE BRASS L@@@K $46.00

30x N Scale 1/160 Diecast Bus Car Train Layout Track $32.90

60x N Scale 1/160 Diecast Bus Car Train Layout Track $62.00

6x N Scale 1/160 Diecast Bus Car Train Layout Set Track $9.99

HO SCALE TRAIN BRIDGE FOR EZ TRACK (NEW) $13.75

American Flyer S Scale Model 21105 Engine Train Cars + Track & Accessories Lot $76.60

Vintage Lionel O Scale Model RR Train Track (7) Large Curve Pieces (1) Straight $9.99

LIONEL O SCALE 23 PIECES CURVED MODEL RAILROAD TRAIN TRACK $22.99

Atlas N Scale Code 55 Train Track 6″ Straight No. 2002 Nickle Rails & Brown Ties $4.99

Vintage Marx O Scale Train Model 588 Engine Cars and Track Lot $19.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN 20-831 K1 TRACK SET L@@@K $39.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN 20-832 K2 TRACK SET AND SWITCH L@@@K $59.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN 20-221 TRACK SWITCH SET L@@@K $29.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN 20-220 TRACK SWITCH SET L@@@K $29.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN 20-220 TRACK SWITCH SET L@@@K $29.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN 2 20-041 TRACK L@@@K $19.99

HO SCALE BACHMANN SIMPLIMATIC PLUG-IN WIRING ELECTRIC TRAIN GAUGE TRACK SET $5.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN CURVED TRACK 11-45 10 TRACK 20-110 L@@@K $29.99

KATO N SCALE TRAIN 10 STRAIGHT TRACK 20-020 L@@@K $14.99

Echo G Scale Plastic Train Track, 7 pieces: Curve (3) and Straight (4) vg cond $3.95

Large Lot Of Old Vintage Antique Lionel O Scale Train Cars & Track $49.99

Toy State Industrial G Scale Plastic Train Track, 9 pieces 8 Curve & 1 Straight $5.95

N SCALE LEFT TURN OUT TRACK – MADE IN JAPAN # 2552L – TRAIN LAYOUT $1.00

VINTAGE LOT OF 4 LIFE-LIKE 9″ STRAIGHT TRACK HO SCALE RR TRAIN $0.99

HO SCALE STEEL TRAIN TRACK W/JOINERS (50 PIECES) $26.50

HO SCALE STEEL TRAIN TRACK W/JOINERS (80 PIECES) $44.50

50 CURVED 9 3/4″ N SCALE TRAIN TRACK NICKEL SILVER W/ JOINERS (NEW) $24.50

Lot of O scale train track model train $9.99

Vintage Lionel O Scale Model RR Train No. 1024 Manual Switch Track $7.99

HUGE HO SCALE TRAIN AND TRACK LOT!! OVER 40 PIECES W/ BACHMANN TRAINS!! L@@@@@@K $19.99

Ziterdes 79015 Accessory Set 1 – Bottles/Mugs Tray Suitable for the following scale(s): Wargaming Scale…

Ziterdes 79016 Merry Mug Tavern Suitable for the following scale(s): Wargaming Scale…

Blue Train $9.57 Classic 5 track album now includes 2 bonus alternate takes. Scuff on disc will not affect play. BMG club version….

Hornby Left Hand Standard Point $16.99 Hornby points are supplied for operation by hand. They may be converted to remote control electric operation by using a ‘point motor’….

SceneMaster Home Lighting Kit $5.09 Working lights will add drama and action to your entire layout, and this economical kit makes it easy to install lighting in almost any building. Its completely assembled, with screw-type bulb, socket with hook-up wires and a plastic mounting base, which can be nailed to your layout surface, or glued inside your buildings. This all-purpose house light is pre-wired for easy operation. Use lamp bulb…

SceneMaster Grain of Wheat Bulbs $5.09 Package of 2 grain-of-wheat light bulbs….

Viessmann 7180 Single Modern Street Light 25mm $13.12 Suitable for the following scale(s): Z Scale…

Building An O Gauge Layout – Beginner & Advanced $9.25 Building an O Gauge Layout – Beginner & Advanced You’ve got your train set. Why not build a permanent layout? It’s fun, creative, and you learn the basics of carpentry, electricity, and making scenery. And you can get your entire family involved. There’s something to do for everyone. Lionel’s® FasTrack® has emerged as the track of choice among a new generation of layout builders. FasTr…

Viessmann 4617 Hobby Marker Signal Banner $59.04 Suitable for the following scale(s): HO Scale…

SceneMaster Screw-In Bulbs $3.85 Replacement Bulb for Old Time Lamp Posts pkg(3)Fits No. 1201 & 1964 Sold Separately…