Grow the oval into a station

An oval just runs in circles — a station gives it operation. In this part you build a runaround so the loco can reach the other end of the train, lay a second platform track with enough usable length, and give the station a name.

Starting point: your base oval from Part 1. This part builds directly on it — the series is a hub (the oval) with spokes: every part starts from the oval, not from the previous one.

Build along in the app ↗ — chapter 2 of the learning scenario in the editor.

Step 1 — Make room for the station

A station needs straight length — and you don’t have to rebuild the oval piece by piece. Select your oval (a single click is enough; connected track selects as a whole) and hover one of the straights: ↔ stretch handles appear at the joints. Pull a handle outwards — the oval grows longer, and Trackplanner automatically re-tiles the straights with matching catalogue pieces.

Step 2 — The runaround

Place two turnouts and a connecting track between them on one side of the oval so the loco can run around its train (the turnouts are built as in part 1: drag from an open end onto a rail joint). The plan check recognises a valid runaround and clears the “runaround missing” note for this station group.

Step 3 — Room for the train

Lay a second, parallel platform track with a usable length of at least 60 cm (or as long as your longest train). Select the tracks between the turnouts — the status bar shows their length. (How to snap a track onto the system parallel spacing on purpose is shown in detail in Part 4.)

Step 4 — Naming

With the text tool, place a label on the station and give it a name. A small gesture, a big effect — the layout gains a place.

What’s next?

• Part 3: Reversing loop around the hill — the line turns the train around.
• More on this: Runaround track · Usable siding length.