what do you think is a ideal distance between levels on a 2 deck layout
I would say, there is no ideal distance, but a minimum distance. I guess your question is towards the distance between 2 fully scenicked decks. I would assume the minimum distance to be the height of the tallest building you plan to put on the lower deck plus, say, 4 inches.
Finally, the distance should be seen in connection with the viewing height and the depth of the decks. Deep decks require more distance in between.
I run HO and have a 16" difference and I think my Highest Buildings are 13-14". Most of my 2nd Level is only 12-14" wide so it does cause a big interference/distraction.
Having just done a quick set of measurements, using my desk and the bookshelves above to stand in for layout levels, I have concluded that the ideal height would put the rails just about armpit high - seated in a chair for the lower level, standing for the upper level. That dimension would be unique to each individual. My size determines the levels to fall at 35 inches and 53 inches. Moe the midget would have lower numbers and closer level spacing. The center on the local baketball team would probably have an upper level above my standing eye level.
Rather more critical is the depth of the levels. If the depths are equal, the reach-in distance for construction and maintenance will be about six inches short of the length the builder’s extended arm. If the upper level is not as wide as the lower level, that distance would increase to the farthest one can reach while not banging the head on the upper level fascia.
The part of my layout which might end up beneath a second level is a shelf about 15 inches deep. There won’t be much in the way of complex trackwork on either level.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
There are so many factors and prejudices involved here, but I’ll provide a simplistic rule-of-thumb: the difference of deck height should be the difference between standing and sitting height. I prefer the decks to be about at the center of my chest.
Mark
Twenty inches railhead to railhead (40, 60") works for me.
Plenty of room for scenery.
Larry
Assuming you are using a helix…
You might consider solidly constructing only the lower level and the helix first before permanently doing heavy-duty work on the upper level (which can have a “temporary” attachment) => to then match where the helix trackage finally emerges on that upper level.
You will of course, already have a real good idea, of where that upper level is before benchwork construction (ex: 14 inches level difference). Also, because you would be very close to knowing your layout level difference (ex: within 1-2 inches), you could attach and paint the backdrop for both levels at the same time.
A little caution at the upper level before making its layout height attachment permanent might prove helpful.
It’s been noted that the layout width is a factor. A shelf layout that’s 12" wide could probably get by with about a 12" separation, a wider shelf might look better with greater separation. In my case I’m using 16" wide shelves and the separation is about 14" and that seem to work OK.
Ive been reading “Designing & Building multi-deck model railroads” an it’s filled with great ideas and lesions learned from previous modelers. My question is I’m going where I haven’t gone before.
So is it better to make the lower deck wider 32 inches and the upper deck 18 inches for a HO layout? Or to reverse the levels and make the upper the wider.?
Will 12 inches work between decks?
Also thanks for the great info from all.
Obviously, it depends.
Here is what 14" looks like in HO. A hidden track runs under the trestle foundation, the double tracks are climbing (1/2" on the right and 1" at left):
There is also a 25 foot or so “nolix” connecting the two levels.
Lower lever is 36" wide with hidden staging under the upper level which is 14-16" wide.
I would suggest viewing other layouts to see what will look right for your room and situation.
Karl
4" does not even give you the height you would need for hidden yard. You could not even place cars and engines on the tracks very easily at that height.
It depends…
My Westport is just located above the staging yard.
Well, if I have to reach in, there’s the box too. But I haven’t! Only two or three times a year.
Wolfgang
Hi!
Obviously, the answer to your question is subjective and depends on the “owners” height and preferences.
If you are using a helix, then the above is really your own consideration. If you are not using a helix, but rather an incline, then it becomes a balancing act between grade percent and level to level distance.
I would suggest you do some mockups before making anything permanent.
Mobilman44
I think you misread it Don. He did say “the height of the tallest building… plus 4 inches.”’ Which is of course more than 4" in total.
Your point is well taken though. Derailments will happen and happen in the most inaccessible places. Got to be able to reach in there. Always plan for the worst case scenario.
Karl
Hello,
being in the process of building a three level layout with hidden storage I thought it would be appropriate for me to put in my [2c]. The levels are interconnected via a double track six loop helix that has a radius of 30 inches. Each level has 12 inches of seperation while the upper level is 12 inch deep, the middle level is 18 inches deep and the low level is 24 inch deep.
From my current experience I think that 12 inches of seperation in HO is not enough. In my case there is the structure that holds up the layout which is 2 inches thick as well, so even though the distance is 12 inches between rail heads the building space is only 10 inches. The Walthers mine kit and grain elevator kit are too high to fit on the middle or lower level. Also it limits what one can do with the scenery. So the next layout will have 20 or 24 inch seperation between levels.
The fourth level which still has to be constructed will be hidden storage. This will be only 4 inches below the lowest level and am interested in finding out how that will work out. Also since the hidden storage is going to be a stub yard the trains will be pushed into the holding tracks so all the yard will be on a slight grade down hill. Hope it works.
The best advice is to try and find out who has a multi level layout and take a look, or build a couple of modules and install them at different heights above each other and see how it all works out for you. A lot depends on what you would like to do with the layout and your personal preferences.
Hope it helps
Frank
I have found that on my HO layout with a botttom deck of 30" in width and a top deck that is 12" in width that a distance of 16" between the decks works just great. Have fun