I’ve been put in charge of getting a small HO scale model railroad up and running at the museum I volunteer at. For the sake of expediancy, I am planning to use one of Woodland Scenics layout kits. How high should we build the layout? We want it to be viewable by children and will have it enclosed with plexiglass. I’m think 36 inches.
I am working on a layout in my towns museum. It is a loop to loop layout, around the walls type, single track with hidden automatic reversing loops at each end. It is about 38 inches high, and enclosed with plexiglass in a display case. In order to let small children easily view it, there is a step that runs the entire length of the display which is about 10 inches high and 12 inches wide. The main line has a 34 foot mainline run not including the loops. The layout is based on the NYC’s Putnam division as it was in the 1950’s when it ran through my town. Reed switches operated by magnets under the locos operate relays to throw the switches and to reverse the track power on the main line.
I did not build the layout, but it was in a derelect condition when I started working on it. Constant derailing of the loco and cars, sometimes the train would not run at all due to wiring problems. Someone had used sandpaper to clean the rails and they were all scratched up. I replaced some of the track and switches, completely rewired it and added many more track feeders. The layout can now be left running unsupervised for hours. Now myself another fellow working with me are into the scenery phase, adding ground cover, planting trees and installing operating crossing flashers. The museum pays for anything we need within reason.
The biggest complaint at train shows is children cannot see the trains, ask the people that attend with children, not the exhibitors, how long can you hold up a child at a train show to see all the goodies, why not lower the displays and be able to sit on a chair and run trains and others can actually see it, it would seem the present high displays were that heighth just “because” and everyone else assumed that was to be the height.
GP-9 Man–you work hard in that museum. I need to get over there soon. I have taken my son and daughter to several shows over the years. You’re 36" is likely a good size for kid–Here’s a link to average heights of 6 year olds. They could actually look down on it some.
However, if it’s going to be permanent, I would recommend what I’ve seen that works well with a step up shelf next to the layout–maybe 10-12". All the way around and leave it hollow underneath for a toe kick–like for your sink for taller people. That way adults can stand behind their kids while getting a more similar perspective to discuss the layout together. Those are the ones we’ve enjoyed the most.
Richard
This is what we have seen at our Club for the past 25 years - the parents will soon leave if they have to hold the child up to see the layout!
We have always had the Lionel Display set about 30 to 36 inches off the floor.
When I built some HO Switching Modules to display at a Train Show we attend twice a year the Show Promoter got rid of the other Module groups for the sole reason as the kids could not see the trains on the other module groups layouts as they were at 48 inches high.
We had ours laying on fold up tables - every kid there would come over and want to try their hand at switching and running the trains!
If it’s in a museum, wouldn’t it have to conform to ADA (American Disabilities Act) measurements? or at least be accommodating of those with disabilities? I don’t think anyone would sue over something like that, but then I do recall a lawsuit over spilled coffee… I’m not saying I’m correct, just bringing up the point.