I am contemplating a double deck layout but I am womdering what the best dimensions are for space between the decks and what the best depth is for the lower deck.
I don’t want to have to stoop to see trains near the back of the lower level.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Greg
There are several variables you need to determine in order to answer this question; your eye level (or the average eye level of your expected visitors), the horizontal distance between the front of the upper deck and the back of the lower deck, and the width of your aisles. From there, it is simple trigonometry or simple scale sketches on graph paper. If you know these variables already, then we can help you. Otherwise, you’ll just have to play with the variables you can change.
You’ll likely want the upper deck around 54 inches and the lower around 36 inches, but that is just a starting point.
I have two decks around three walls and on a peninsula. Each deck is the same with a depth of about 24" and are separated by about 26". Each has it’s own lighting and so with the lighting valances in place the modeled “window” is about 18" high.
The heights (if memory serves), or as I call them “bench-marks” of the levels are 56" and 32" which is a slightly down-looking view when I’m standing and while seated in an office chair. This works for me, but everybody is different.
Also…Check out a thread on this fourm “Top Deck Support on Double Deck Layouts” There is a lot of good information there and I have some photos posted on that thread that were taken during construction…along with one finished scene. Sorry I don’t have any recent photos.