Just had a friend ask: what height ( from the floor) seems to be the most comfortable, operable and gives the best view of a layout? He’s setting up a “standard” 4 x 8 setup. I’m sure there are 8,700 different opinions on this subject, but there must be a reasonable tolerance height that most modelers have found to be best for their liking. ( this is for an adult) thanks.
most modelers build their layouts a bit on the high side so that they are looking closely at the action on the layout…I used to build them about 3 1/2’ off the floor but now my lowest level is no less that 48" or 4 '…the closer you are to the action the better the viewing and it also gives a more realistic appearence when you are close to the layout…Chuck[:D]
I’ve got mine at 43" off the floor at zero elevation. Seems to work for me, I can get a bird’s eye view in the yard, and be standing comfortably when she comes around the mountain 3 levels up. I also have a 3-tier kitchen stepladder for my grandson when he comes over to watch gramps ‘play with the train.’
Tom
Layout height should be a function of two factors:
- Your height
- How deep do you have to reach
I am 6’5" and can reach in 36" easily on a layout that is 44" high. I’m only good for about 30" at 48" height.
My preference is 44" for some reason other than that factor.
the unwritten rule (well it’s written now), is somewhere between your mid-chest (read those pointy things on your chest) and your eyes seems to be the most comfortable layout level, but varies within that area per person.
Mine is 45". I calculated that height based on next principle:
When my nephews are 45" and can reach the trains, then they’re old enough to play with them. Same principle applies with any other kid arround the house. Still they can’t reach, and need my help.
My switching layout is all on one level, 50 inches from the floor.
The main line track on our club’s HO modular layout is 40". Some groups in our area have higher portable layouts, and I like the higher ones better. I’m thinking about making an On30 display layout/operating diorama; it will be higher so we are looking at the trains rather than down on them.
Bob Boudreau
For a club layout where the public is going to be visiting with children, it should be no more than around 40 to 42 inches. For a private home layout make it whatever you want, keeping in mind only the requirement to be able to reach everything.
At 40" to 44" from the floor, the height of my layout provides track level sight lines when seated in a standard chair. When I operate from a kitchen/bar/drafting table stool, my vantage point provides me with a “communication” tower view. I prefer the “prototype” sight lines, as I feel I’m more “at scale” with the layout. BUT, if I’m operating, I need to either get on my feet or on the “high” chair to see what’s going on.
about 40’’ becaus it does more away with the toy train look my second level is about 54 inches some people would find that a bit high but it works for me
My current layout is 58" high. This makes the duckunder into the room very easy to use. The under the layout wiring is pretty easy too. The viewing angle is great. Downside is that I have to use a two step ladder to work on the layout. Seating is a bit of a problem, but walk around works well. I picked this height based on needed under the layout storage and the desire to be able to have a an under the layout work area. That has worked very well.
Enjoy
Paul
As many have said ,height is a matter of choice (I use 42" as the low point and 50" at the high point for my Coal mine - I do N&W country). Rather than use those small step ladder devices, I built several benches 12" high and 30" wide. This let’s the kids move around a little and is very solid.
You have to fit it to your height and reach. I’m mid-sized, so mine is 43" off the floor.
Mine comes up to just under my armpit. That way I can brush cars and scenery away as I reach to the back of the layout.
(There were a few construction reasons why it’s that high. My wife is shorter than I am and she gets a very good side view.)
My layout is chest high(I’m 5’11")…Great height for me to watch trains and work under the layout.I use a stepstool to work on the track and scenery.
I’m going to be different–my 3X7 table is only 30" high. The main reason was that I got a pair of foldout table legs at RONA for 15$. This made for easy setup, allowing me to spend time on my layout rather than benchwork. Secondly, with foldup legs my layout is mobile should I ever move from an apartment to a house(It’s funny that when you get into this hobby you stop looking for a house and start looking for a basement with a house attached). The leg choice ended up being brilliant, because I can now pull up a chair and sit and watch my trains run at the perfect angle. Plus, when I’m setting up my layout it’s easy to reach across the table.
Different for sure, but I’m glad my compromise turned into a better choice.
JASON
My layout is a smidge under 49" from the ground. I chose this height for several reasons:
It’s a shelf layout, in most places only 1-2 feet thick, so a lot of reach was not required.
I am not particularly tall (about 5’8") and 48-50" was a good height to work on things up close while standing, and the perfect height to see trains whiz by at eye level while sitting.
Because the garage in which I have my layout must be used for storage, it provides room for 3 foot high cabinets underneath, with room below the layout for the brackets that support the layout. Some portions of that 1 foot space will be filled with storage boxes that will be removable for under-layout work.
Also, because I have a shelf above the layout at 6 feet high (the lowest it can be and still store stuff reasonably well) this provides a nice 17-18 inch or so gap after dropping a valence to hide under-shelf lighting.
48 - 50 inches high - mostly because of all the storage and junk that I need to organize under it in the same room. bar stools are great for this heght
There is no law stating a layout has to be viewable by children. Even with our club layout of 40", adults usually lift their children up to see it. I’d be building a higher one for my pleasure and comfort and would not be overly concerned if children could see it unassited. Portable layouts are often used as home layouts too.
Bob Boudreau