I got a bunch of wood cut for my benchwork today, and I got the legs cut to 40" like MR suggested on the Model Trains step by step mag.
After standing the 40" pieces next to me (I’m about 5"10), I decided that it seemed a bit high. When you consider that I’ll have a few inches of foam on top of the board added to the 40", I think this will be too high up.
I don’t want to be staring at locos next to my face, so should I go a little lower on the legs? Maybe 36"?
It’s really a matter of opinion and preference, but I’m 5’4" and my minimum height is 48". I find that a higher layout is much easier to work on underneath, and the higher layout gives me a more “realistic” view of the railroad. You might try mocking up a section of track at several different heights to see which you prefer before you commit to a particular height.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins
Mine is 50" its easier to work underneath
the eye level feel of the trains is better
I do not like the birdseye view of train watching
Your legs are about where they need to be. It is the main
construction of the top that will be a factor of height. My legs are
at 42" and the layout table and sub-roadbed are at 49"-53". If you
put your height in inches, try to stay at or about 12" below your nose.
This gives you reach for your individual height to work on the layout
without a stool. It is a matter of preference. I am 76" tall, and built my
layout so that when I am seated, my trains are at my eye level.
Happy railroading.
Ken
Hi,
My first layout was around 40" and I found it much too low. My back bothered me after bending over it and I also didn’t like the “birds eye” view.
Believe it or not, at the suggestion of most of the pro’s, including John Armstrong, my new layout is 53" high and it works out great (I’m the same height as you…5’ 10").
What you need to do if you build the layout that high is get a tool box that is meant to be used as a step stool. It may seem a bit of a nuisance at first, but stepping on the step stool to reach into the benchwork for scenicking is better than bending over a low layout. And, watching the trains at almost eye level is so much better.
Hope this helps.
Mondo
I used 48" two by two’s as legs on my bench, so the “table top” on my bench work is approx. 49" off the floor, and then I have varying thicknesses of foam board on top of that… this gives me a slight ly higher view point of my layout, and ample room to move around under the benchwork (I don’t bend as good as I used to…). I keep a small box, or “platform” for the grandkids to stand on so they can be at eye-level.
Bob
The main level of my layout is 48 3/4ths high. The maximum the layout reaches is 52 3/4ths high. The lowest level is 42 inches high. I am 5’ 7" tall. I wanted it this high, so I didn’t have to stoop to low to be down at train level. Tthe maximum grade between levels is 3.3% and is ver short. The longest grade is 2%.
Mondotrains
What are you measuring at 53"
I see measurements on the layout drawings in MR, but I’m not clear on where that is to.
I see measurements from about 44" to about 66" on the same layout.
Is that from the floor to the top of the rail and then the scenery has ups and downs from there??
Jon - Las Vegas
My first layout was a 4x8 on 3’ legs. It was WAY too short, even when I was 12.
My second layout was originally built at 40". Still too short, but better.
I raised my second layout to 48", and really liked it.
My current layout is three levels, so the benchwork is anywhere from 36" to 56". I seem to prefer the parts that are at 50"-52" best, at least from a viewing perspective.
“Mine is 50” its easier to work underneath
the eye level feel of the trains is better
I do not like the birdseye view of train watching"
I do the same, for the same reasons.
Mines 50" as well. Same reason RSDCPA gave
I’m 6’3" tall, my layout is 48".
I’m 5’-10"
Top of the “L” girder 37 1/2"
Top of joists 41"
Top of 3/4 plywood 41 3/4’ to 49"
I do have a homemade step stool 11" X 18" X 9" high. That much height gives me plenty of reach. With the step being that big I can sometimes move down it without having to move it.
Works well for me and I can prop an elbow up on the plywood when operating.
Bob
In the height of the layout 1" doesn’t matter a tinkers darn. MR will tell you that the height dimmensions are to the top of the rail but who can measure that when building. Most people use those dimmensions as the top to the plywood or sub roadbed foam. I’ve changed some of those dimmensions because we didn’t like to grade or it just “didn’t feel right”.
Scenery is always what you feel like it should be. John Allen went all the way down to the floor and up to the ceiling. Mine goes up about 12 inches and down to the bottom of my facia board.
Bob
I put mine at 48" for a different reason. I can build a platform for my son who is 48" high and he can feel special, also I can puts the bicycles in the garage under 1 section and then I can have that much more space for trains up high. [:)]
Tim
That s a good consideration when the layout has to share space with other things. I had settled on 36" for the minumum for the lower deck because that’s what I need to clear a double stack of those big palstic storage containers. I convinced the wife that EVERYTHING being stored should be placed in these uniform bins, with labels attached, to make it easier to organize and later go back and find things. Now that I’ve given up the 2-level and am going with a single deck at 48", I MIGHT be able to squeeze three high, I haven’t measured it yet. Or at least two high PLUS a smaller item. All of course neatly hidden behind a skirt of some sort.
–Randy
My current layout is 54" I’m 5’8", my last layout was 40". The 54" layout is so much easier to work on underneath and watching a engine couple up to a freight car at eye lever is very cool, almost feels like I’m watching a real train. Track laying was a little tough, had to use a small step ladder but I love this height.
46". Perfect height for me. Its not all in my face and its not a birds eye view. And I have 2 lines that are mounted on 4" risers, making them 50" tall.
Hi my benchwork legs are 42" so the table top with foam is anywhere from 44to50’'.This gives me lots of room to work underneath and senery and track laying isn’t uncomfortable height wise either. I’ve also set up comersial 34"bookcases underneath for magasine and equipment storage. I’m 5’11" so were at the same height as well. I do keep a couple of homebuilt standing boxes for the niecses and nephews to stand on so they can watch or help me as well. Hope this helps. Rob
I built my benchwork at 43", and with the foam, it comes to 45". That’s base elevation. My layout actually climbs to about 58" at the highest point. I’m 6’1", but I’m also not as young as I used to be, so bending over isn’t the greatest feeling in the world, once I straighten up. I use a kitchen stair-step to get to those ‘weird’ spots that we all have on our layouts (usually in a tunnel, right?). My first layout was 36" off the floor, and I always felt like I was in a helicopter, which since I have Acrophobia, is not the greatest sensation in the world, believe me.
Tom