Great questions that can only be answered with more questions so you can now ask yourself – Guess what? – More questions! …without more concrete “givens” in place.
1st, How deep is the benchwork width of the lower levels?
Deeper lower level width needs more distance between decks. If one of your lower levels is dedicated to non-scenery, such as a larger staging yard, the difference between decks can be 12" – also dependent upon the depth of your benchwork for reaching access.
2nd, what’ your “eye level” to view each deck - upper & lower level?
The answer, appropriate for your needs, will probably fall between 12" to 18". Plus, if you go to three levels, is your standing eye level at your middle layout level? You want to avoid looking down on a trackage bowl of spaghetti.
3rd, what is your helix radius? Shorter radius means a steeper grade, and you need to stay within an apx. 2% grade. This can influence deck spacing.
4th, how will you light lower deck(s) withoutsceneryshadowing?
Some modelers use light bulbs or flourescent lighting – which along with upper deck valance/fascia determines height between decks. For example, my N scale CR&T is leaning toward the more compact under-kitchen-counter lighting on a dimmer switch that uses 1" of height.
P.S.: Also see the recent Scenery (or track) over a Helix thread.
It all depends on what the various levels will do…
On mine, I’ve got lower level staging, which is just some balloon tracks with traffic going in and out from one end. I’ve only got about 6-8" clear to bottom of the main deck, but there’s no scenery, and I can access most of the tracks from the aisle.
At the other end of the layout, I’ve got a modest upper deck, which is reached by a tight, narrow helix. I used a hollow core door (1-3/8" thick and 12" wide) for the frame up there, so it’s pretty narrow. I’m allowing about 14-16" clear between it and the deck below, which hasn’t been built yet…
The key with N scale in multiple decks is how you get between them. If you’re running a shelf along the wall around the whole room, you could do what’s known as a “no-lix”, where the line just steadily climbs from one deck to the other, with level spots along the way where switching operations might take place.
36" is a pretty typical helix diameter for N scale, and there’s a lot of different ways to design and build them. A quick google search will turn up some good information (and some bad too, so read a few before you start breaking out the scroll saw!)
I found that if you go with a shelf layout 1 foot to 18 inches is a good width for “N” Scale. Top shelf should not be higher than your shoulder if you plan on operating it, arm pit level works well for operations. If you like to let your trains run and just look at them, then nothing above your chin.
As for the lower level, I would put it at desk level (Chair) or just below your elbow if your standing. This would be for an operating layout.
Most lower levels should be wider or equal to the upper level. If you have a sitdown section on the lower level like a yard etc. you can make the top wider than the lower level. This way the guy up top can walk around the lower guy with out to much a problem. Also make sure your top level is not so wide that the guy sitting on the lower level will bng his head when getting up. This is earth shaking mode in N scale and will tip moset every thing over with a good head bump…
Try and keep operation sections on top and bottom from being on top of each other.
Thanks for your reply. I’ve collected all the N scale multi-level layouts from MRR and have put the specs in a special file. I think 2 of them are “no-lix.” I don’t have a helix yet because I haven’t finished the table level yet. I’m using oNeTRAK standards so I can add to the layout in the future.
I don’t have an idea for the 3rd level yet but the lowest level will be a mine using a small steam engine. I know that normally this wouldn’t make sense but since I’m making a fantasy layout with knights, giant mushrooms and such, my engineer will have the ability to remove the smoke when underground. I actually have an entire army of bowmen and knights that are to scale for the layout along with the castle and dragons.
I hadn’t seriously considered a staging area yet but the idea is growing.
Thanks for the advice. I like the ideas shelf layouts for the 1st and 3rd levels. I also like the idea of the top being wider than the lower. I like having new ideas to consider.
