Model Railroad Track

Model Railroad Track

Expand an oval into a passing loop or second route

Choose the expansion by the starting track plan, required parts and space on your board.

Inventory the route you already own

Use the existing part numbers to identify the base oval and the geometry at its ends. Compare that inventory with the diagram before ordering a box described as an expansion set.

Draw the extra route to scale

Mark the switch locations and the outer edges of the new curve. Check clearance where two trains can pass, especially through the curved parts and around the switches.

Separate track from other equipment

Read the package inventory for the supplied track and control pieces. The layout art can show scenery or trains as an example. Plan access to each route and provide the compatible equipment the layout requires.

Source documentation

Guide questions

Will an inner passing loop need two switches?

A passing route normally needs an entrance and exit. Match the two hands and the short connecting curves to the plan.

How do I compare an expansion pack and a first layout pack?

The expansion can depend on track you already own. A first layout pack provides the track named for a complete plan.

What should I check before adding an outer oval?

Measure the footprint of the wider curves and check the spacing between routes and nearby scenery.

Which accessory suits the job?

  1. The Lionel figure-eight pack adds a central crossing. The inner passing-loop pack uses two manual switches to create a separate route inside the existing oval.

    Lionel FasTrack figure-eight add-on track pack ↗Lionel O FasTrack inner passing loop expansion ↗

  2. The Bachmann steel expander builds on track you already own. The nickel-silver First Railroad pack supplies the track listed for a specific 4-by-8-foot plan.

    Bachmann HO E-Z Track steel layout expander ↗Bachmann HO E-Z Track First Railroad track pack ↗

Accessories in this guide

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