How much space do you need for a Fleischmann piccolo layout?
Benjamin | TrackDrawer.com · published 9 November 2026
For a closed loop in Fleischmann piccolo you need a 55 x 55 cm baseboard. A loop with a passing loop fits from 100 x 55 cm, and double track on R2 and R1 with a siding and a small yard on 120 x 60 cm. If you want the wide R3 and R4 curves, the depth jumps to about 90 cm, because there is a big step between R2 and R3.
We measured this with the TrackDrawer Auto-designer, using an ordinary stock of piccolo track and a 5 cm clear margin around the board.
The piccolo radii
Fleischmann piccolo is N gauge on 9 mm. In our catalogue it has four curve radii: R1 at 192 mm, R2 at 225.6 mm, R3 at 396.4 mm and R4 at 430 mm. R1 and R2 are 33.6 mm apart, as are R3 and R4. Between R2 and R3 there are 170.8 mm.
That sets piccolo apart from systems with even steps. You get two "families": a tight pair for small layouts and a wide pair for layouts with long trains. There is no in-between size in fixed pieces.
Outside width per radius
The outside width is twice the radius plus the width of the track, 27 mm in our catalogue. For the baseboard we add 2 x 50 mm of margin.
| Radius | Radius in mm | Circle outside width | Board with 5 cm margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 192 mm | 411 mm | 51.1 cm |
| R2 | 225.6 mm | 478.2 mm | 57.8 cm |
| R3 | 396.4 mm | 819.8 mm | 92.0 cm |
| R4 | 430 mm | 887 mm | 98.7 cm |
So double track on R2/R1 is 47.8 cm across the outside, double track on R4/R3 88.7 cm. In between lie almost 41 cm of depth with no other fixed curve.
The smallest loop: 55 x 55 cm
With 51.1 cm as the calculated minimum, that becomes a 55 x 55 cm board in 5 cm steps. The designer lays a small eight-sided loop on R1 there. That is the same size as Minitrix; see how much space for Minitrix.
A passing loop: from 100 x 55 cm
The standard piccolo turnout (9170 left, 9171 right) is 111 mm long and diverges on R4, 430 mm, over 15 degrees. With the matching curve 9136, a 15 degree R4 curve, the second track lies 29.3 mm beside the first. That is a little less than the 33.6 mm between the circles. On the straight side you add the 111 mm straight 9101; the remaining difference of about 1.2 mm over a passing loop is taken up in the rail joints.
The Auto-designer found the first loop with a passing loop on 100 x 55 cm: "Station with two platform roads on R1, plus 2 sidings", with 26 pieces and 3.00 m of track. At 65 cm deep, 100 cm stayed the smallest width. The turnout diverges on a wider curve than the loop itself, which helps running but needs more length than Minitrix, whose turnout diverges on R1 and so manages a passing loop at 85 cm wide.
What fits on common sizes?
With the same stock we had the designer search several sizes with three goals: continuous running, several trains with a station, and variety.
| Board | What fits (examples) | Pieces | Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 x 55 cm | station with two platform roads on R1, plus 2 sidings | 26 | 3.00 m |
| 120 x 60 cm | double track R2/R1, plus siding and yard | 46 | 6.04 m |
| 120 x 60 cm | station on R2, plus 2 sidings | 38 | 4.69 m |
| 150 x 80 cm | double track R2/R1 | 48 | 6.29 m |
| 150 x 80 cm | station on R2, plus 2 sidings | 44 | 5.58 m |
| 150 x 80 cm | dogbone on R2, plus siding and yard | 36 | 4.57 m |
| 200 x 100 cm | double track R4/R3 | 60 | 9.20 m |
| 200 x 100 cm | station with two platform roads on R3, plus 2 sidings | 51 | 7.10 m |
What stands out:
- At 80 cm deep it stays at R2. R3 needs a 92 cm board, so on 150 x 80 cm the designer puts everything on R1 and R2. The extra width goes into stations and a dogbone.
- At 100 cm deep the wide pair comes into play. Double track on R4/R3 with 9.20 m of track, or a two-platform station on R3. Long coaches run much more smoothly there than on R1.
- Curved turnouts. piccolo has an R1/R2 curved turnout (9174 and 9175), which lets you branch off inside the tight curve. That helps most on small boards.
Choosing a board
- Small and easy to store: 120 x 60 cm gives double track with some shunting and is easy to carry.
- Long trains: allow at least 100 cm of depth for R3 and R4. Below that they run through the tight R1/R2 curves.
- Mixed: put the visible curves on R3/R4 and use R1/R2 where the train is out of sight, for example behind a hill.
How far apart tracks should lie, and why the turnout and the circles give a different spacing here, is covered in track spacing.
Reach and storage
An N layout is small, but you still need to get at it. You can comfortably reach up to about 60 to 70 cm from the edge, so a board 100 cm deep is best freestanding or accessible from two sides. A 120 x 60 cm board with the tight R1/R2 pair, on the other hand, fits under a bed or against a wall and weighs little. Light rolling stock does need clean rails: wipe the layout after storage before you run trains again.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no curve between 225.6 and 396.4 mm?
That is how the range in our catalogue is built: a tight pair and a wide pair. If you want an in-between size, bend it with flexible track; piccolo has a 777 mm flex track (9106).
Does piccolo fit on the same board as Minitrix?
For a loop, yes: both manage 55 x 55 cm. For a passing loop, piccolo needed 15 cm more width in our measurement, because of its wider turnout.
Your own baseboard
Look at the piccolo plans in the Railfolio, or enter your board and stock and let the Auto-designer lay a plan.