the deep abyss

[OLDERTIMER]

Here's one for everybody.  When designing your layouts, how close to the edge of the table are you willing to lay track and risk your most expensive and precious locos?

[Terry Toenges]

There are variables that come into play here. Do you run them fast? Is your bench work really solid with no movement (No matchbooks under a leg to steady it)? Are you in an area that is prone to earthquake tremors? Do you have kids that get close to the layout? 

[jonathan]

I usually have a siding near the edge... A track that won't get used regularly. Good for photography. The mainlline is about 4" in from the fascia. Folks can lean on the edge without a train running up their sleeve.

Regards,

Jonathan

[prr22]

Mainline no closer than 4''

[Trainman203]

As far as possible.  It's good to have scenery between the track and the edge.  And to have something for a derailment to fall on besides the floor.  I learned the hard way. I've seen ballast slope right down to the layout edge.  Not good.

[Grumpy468]

I had to add a 3" strip to my layout all the way around to make sure that doesnt happen. I will landscape those areas to make sure there is something there for protection as well. I was very careful in laying track to make sure it was straight and true, level as possible. I hope i never have a derailment like that.

[jward]

How close to the edge depends on where the track is located. If it's in a tunnel back in a corner or against a wall. The centerline of the track could be as close as 2-2 1/2" from the edge. If it's out in front, 4" seems more appropriate. That said, I prefer curves to straight track, because it makes the layout look larger. So rather than have a long straight along the front of the layout, i'll often angle the main track away from the edge by about 10-15 degrees, toward the center of the layout and curve it back toward the edge as it approaches the other end of the layout.

[OLDERTIMER]

Thank's to all who responded, four inches is kinda what I had in mind, too.  P'