Model Railroad Hobbyist | March 2016 | #73 MRH Q-A-T column compiled by Joe Brugger Questions and Answers Freight cars on the edge Q. I have a lot of track close to the edge of my benchwork. At what point are the tracks so close to the edge that you will need a guard of some type? I don’t want to leave more than about two inches of space between the edge of my track and the end of my world to save aisle space. Is that enough to catch a wayward car in HO scale? Will that require a guard? Thought about just letting the fascia stick up a quarter-inch or so. —Randy Seiler A. Blayne: In my book a quarter of an inch is not near enough. I guarantee each time you bounce something off the floor the fascia will grow taller, and if you do it to a brass loco it will only take one. Why ignore the cheapest insurance you can buy? musgrovejb: I would say six inches of buffer zone would be minimum.  Otherwise I would consider Plexiglas along the edge. XX MRH QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND TIPS • INDEX • TABLE OF CONTENTS