The starter set oval does not fit on your table

Benjamin | TrackDrawer.com · published 9 November 2026

The oval from a starter set often does not fit on an ordinary table, because the curves in such a set are not the tightest in the system. The oval from the C track starter set in our catalogue is on R2 and measures 91.5 cm deep and 163.5 cm wide across the roadbed; with a 5 cm margin you need 105 x 175 cm. Depth is the problem, not width: with twelve R1 curves instead of R2, an oval already fits on 160 x 90 cm, and a shorter oval on 120 x 90 cm.

Why the oval is so big

The C track starter set in our catalogue contains twelve R2 curves (24230), four 188.3 mm straights (24188), four 171.7 mm straights (24172) and a 188.3 mm feeder track (24088). Twelve 30 degree curves make two half circles. With the straights in between you get an oval:

We had the TrackDrawer Auto-designer search with exactly this stock. On 175 x 105 cm with a 5 cm margin it lays the R2 oval: 20 pieces and 4.19 m of track. On 170 x 100 cm with a 5 cm margin it found nothing, without a margin it did. On 160 x 90 cm, 120 x 90 cm and 100 x 90 cm it found no closed layout at all with the starter set alone.

An ordinary dining table or a board 90 cm deep is therefore not deep enough, however wide it is. Extra width does not help against a curve that is too big.

Fix 1: tighter curves

The most effective fix is to buy twelve R1 curves (24130). R1 has a 360 mm radius; a circle is then 760 mm wide instead of 915 mm. With the starter set plus twelve R1 curves the designer found:

The R2 curves are not wasted: later you can lay a second loop around the first with them, once you have a deeper board. How much space each C track radius needs is in how much space for C track.

Note: R1 is tighter for your trains. Short locomotives and wagons run on it without trouble, long coaches look cramped. Check the minimum radius the maker of your rolling stock specifies.

Fix 2: fewer straights

Leaving out straights makes the oval shorter, but not shallower. That only helps if your table is too short, not if it is not deep enough. With the twelve R2 curves alone you have a 91.5 cm circle, still 101.5 cm with a margin.

If your table is deep enough but too short, it does help. Use just one 188.3 mm straight per side instead of four pieces, and the oval becomes 915 + 2 x 188.3 = 1291.6 mm wide instead of 1635 mm. With a margin it then fits a table of about 140 x 105 cm. Make sure both long sides are the same length, or the oval will not close. Keep the other straights for later, for example for a siding once you buy a turnout.

Fix 3: a narrower margin

With a 5 cm margin a derailed train usually stays on the table. Without a margin the roadbed runs right to the table edge, which is risky: a train that leaves the track in the curve falls to the floor. A narrow margin is fine if you fit a raised strip along the edge. In TrackDrawer you set the edge margin yourself for the table.

Fix 4: a different surface

C track is made to lie on the floor too: the roadbed holds the pieces together. A carpet or a smooth floor of 2 x 1 m is often the simplest place for a first run. If you still want a board, 180 x 90 cm is a common size; what fits on it with an ordinary stock is in an H0 layout on 180 x 90 cm.

Fix 5: no oval

If your space is narrow and long, such as a shelf or a windowsill, you do not need a loop. With the straights from the starter set you build an end-to-end line, possibly with a turnout to a siding. How that works is covered in the shuttle line.

Does this apply to other starter sets?

The principle does: the oval in a starter set is often not on the system's tightest radius. Look at the radius of the curves in your set and take twice that radius plus the width of the track: that is the minimum depth you need. Then add a margin. How to extend an oval once it is down is covered in the oval.

Frequently asked questions

Can I mix R1 and R2 in one oval?

Not just like that. Within a half circle all curves must have the same radius, and so must both ends of an oval, otherwise the straight sides are not parallel and the oval will not close. Use one radius per loop, and lay the other radius later as a second loop.

How many R1 curves do I need?

Twelve: each curve is 30 degrees, and two half circles of 180 degrees need 360 degrees in total. With the starter set straights in between you then have a complete R1 oval.

Try before you buy

Enter your starter set as stock in TrackDrawer, set your table size and let the Auto-designer show what fits. Then add twelve R1 curves to your stock and compare.