Model Railway Forum

Hi folks,

Hope everyone's had a good week

I'm just starting to lay some parallel tracks with the idea of slowly creating a 'station'.

I see on ebay that there's various different options available for station platforms - Gaugemaster/Dapol etc. I would definitely like to eventually have some lovely platforms between my tracks, but I've just realised that if I lay all of the track well in advance of buying the platforms then I run the risk of either having too big or too small a gap for the platforms to eventually sit in.

Can anyone recommend a 'generally accepted' sort of distance to leave between the tracks in order to ensure ideal platform situating?

Thanks in advance.

I believe in the real world the distance between tracks in stations should be at least 4.5 metres. The width of platforms I think depends on the individual stations, but I am happy to be corrected.
I would strongly recommend the Metcalfe platform kits. They allow you to build a platform that exactly fits your tracks. They are very easy to assemble and great value for money.

You could also use Peco Platform walling and build your own. I used the concrete walling which is seen on many "southern" stations. Fill in between the walling with a very basic balsa framework and use plasticard for the platform surface. It is a cheap way of constructing platforms to any size or shape you want. Remember, if your track has cork underlay, the platform will also have to be raised by the same depth as the underlay.

100_0401 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

Finished result.

IMG_0593 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

bulleidboy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 24, 2021 11:55 am You could also use Peco Platform walling…

That is a really nice end result!

There is no "Standard" track spacing around a platform, as island platform widths can be variable, from say 50mm to 110mm wide in OO scale. But whatever spacing is chosen you need to ensure your locos and rolling stock can all freely pass through the edges of the platform.
You decided in the platform width then set the track spacing to suit!