For me, at 6 feet tall, working at a kitchen counter just kills my back. The work surface is simply too low, so I'm definitely considering that while designing my layout. I would much prefer to reach up slightly than to bend over at all.
So, is table height a matter of personal choice or are there considerations I'm missing? If I had to go with a number today it would be whatever a kitchen counter is plus about 4 inches (I think).
Thanks everyone!
It's really a matter of personal preference, often affected strongly by restrictions of your train room. My layout is quite low, but that's so I could tuck it under a slanted roof.
I'm 5 foot 10. I don't have a problem with working on the top of the layout, but rather with working underneath it. If I'd built it 2 inches or so higher, I could sit beneath it much more comfortably. As it is, I have to squeeze myself beneath the layout to do any wiring. This is particularly awkward with a hot soldering iron.
Consider the width of your layout. The "standard" for reach depth, the distance from the edge that you can reach to work on the trains, is 30 inches. As your layout gets higher from the floor, this number goes down. Of course, you can stand on a step-stool, but this starts to get awkward and even dangerous after a while.
Many modellers like their layouts almost at eye level when standing up, and many like to have them down lower so children can see and appreciate the details of the scenery, as well as the trains. So, it's what works for you.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I am 6' 1" and have built several layouts since the 1980s at 48" high.
I wish I'd gone a few inches higher this time. (Maybe it's perceptual--I'm so used to 48:" that it looks low now.)
There is no specific optimal table height. Usually works best if it is between elbow and eye level, although the higher the level the harder the access unless one stands on a platform to artificially increase one's height. So, if one needs to reach just a foot or so of access, an elevation just under the armpit will work fine.
Most people when asked if their layout height is ideal said they wished it was higher.
On the other hand, some people like a "helicopter" view so they can view their layouts in a godlike manner.
Layouts with tracks at different elevations are best with the lower elevations requiring more access and vice versa.
Multi-deck layouts are a whole other animal.
Mark
I've never been a fan of the "eye level" layout which for me would put the layout at around 65" high.
My layout is at 42" high, which is high enough to allow me to get close into the layout for easy access reach-wise for all parts of the layout while avoiding most of the "Helicopter" issues, I use stools and benches around the layout and they provide plenty of "eye level" action.
Have fun with your trains
I agree with vsmith. I'm building new benchwork and decided on 42' height. I have an 8 year old, he will still need to use a bench to stand on, but bar stools are the way to go for me and him. Perfect height for us.
The best way to find YOUR ideal height, IMHO, is to stack boxes on the dining table and try the various heights for 'feel.' Layout height is definitely not a 'one size fits all.'
Trackage at my main station will be 42 inches off the floor (once I build the hidden track at 38 inches that passes under the site) but things go uphill from there - WAY uphill, on a sustained 4% grade! However, I'm several inches shorter than you are - what fits me will almost certainly be too low for you.
The only way to find YOUR ideal height is to experiment.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
My last layout was 58" high (I'm 5'11") - great for the duckunder and great view of the train on the track nearest the aisle. But I had to use a step stool to work on it, it felt a little closed in (aisles of 24" and 30"), and it had a poor view of the second, third, etc. track when closer ones were occupied.
My current under construction layout is 50" with no duckunders. So far I like it better, but I don't have the trains running yet so we'll see.
Enjoy
Paul
I'm 6'3" and my last layout was about 32", kids were little that was in the 70's. Awful hard working on it , I was young, but talk about backaches. Now working under it was a whole nuther story. My wife would hear me cuss and get the kids and go shopping or visit granma for awhile. My present layout is 48" off the floor to the top of the main part but goes up to 6'8" the highest point of the mountains. I do have a subway 12" from the top of the main part to the bottom of the subway frame. But I can sit under the layout and hardly bump my head, sometimes a brace gets me, but I'm comfortable with it!
I would suggest 48" unless you are very tall or very short. I am 5'9" and find 48" to be a good height. Not too low to get under and attach wiring, etc and not too high so you can't work on it without an extension ladder. Besides, if you are cutting up your own lumber and buying it in 8' or 16' lengths you don't get any waste with 4' long legs.
Mainetrains
'there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear' Modeling the Hard Knox Valley Railroad in HO scale http://photos.hardknoxvalley.com/
I am 5' 8" and my wife is 5' 3". I selected a height of 47 inches. This gives me room to work under it and a good height to view the trains as they run. Any lower and I would feel like I was in a plane.
Bob
Photobucket Albums:NPBL - 2008 The BeginningNPBL - 2009 Phase INPBL - 2010 Downtown
Dave,
As you have found out, different folks like their layouts at different heights for different reasons. Butlerhawk above and I are the same height physically (6'-4") but he has his layout at 48" and I have mine at 42".
My basement ceiling is only about 2" taller than myself. So, when I tried a table height of 48", it felt like I was building my layout in the top berth of a bunk bed. I tried 45" but I ended up settling for 42" for my 4 x 8 because it felt right - for me.
So, everyone's situation is different and there are a number of factors that will determine what is the optimal layout height for you.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
mrazz I agree with vsmith. I'm building new benchwork and decided on 42' height. I have an 8 year old, he will still need to use a bench to stand on, but bar stools are the way to go for me and him. Perfect height for us.
Forty-two feet! WOW!
In response to the OP I have adopted 54" as my standard; this puts the layout at about armpit level and, since my layouts have little more than two to three inches of trackwork elevation change, my eyeballs are generally from 0" above maximum track heighth to 3" heighth above the rail. I like this observation heighth. I don't know about how things are in your neck-of-the-woods but out here in the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west we have these things called "footstools" which come in very handyfor when I have to reach back from the edge of the layout.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
One advantage of building a layout using adjustable shelving is I was able to test out different heights. In my case I'm 6' tall and beginning a new two-deck layout, and ended up with the top-level being 52" and the lower 40" (although the lower one will often be run sitting down).
I would have made them maybe 4" or so higher except I found that if the upper trains were higher than 53-54" I had trouble seeing the layout with my bifocals - I had to tip my head back when I was up close!! At 52" and lower I'm OK.
Track height is a personal preference. The lowest track on my layout was 36 inches. I moved and took the layout apart. When I re-assemble it I plan on having the lowest track at 40 inches, the highest will be over 50 inches. The boxes on the dining room table is a good idea to get a "feel". If you can, put a loop of track on the boxes and run a train around on it. That will really give you a good prospective.
Tilden
For people 6ft. tall, about 48" is normal. This will bring the deck up over your wasit if you stand up. It will let you be able to look at the layout and inspect it, without bending much. This will have an efficient amout of storage space under the layout (for boxes, filing cabnets, ect.). Good luck
Peace
train_frk-0079For people 6ft. tall, about 48" is normal
Define "normal."
Some people prefer layouts to be lower, some higher. It's all personal preference.
Judging from the other responses, I must have a record low table height of 30". The height was set originally to fit other requirements in the workshop, but also to be comfortable for my young son. Now its comfortable for my young grandchildren (about chest high for them) to work on the layout. For me, its intended to be operated sitting on a fairly low stool and with a 4' x 10' board with the main switchyard on the back side, it takes a bit of elevation for the operator to monitor making up a cut of cars. Our local club uses a 48" height, but I've never felt that it had any particular advantage. I like to be able to sit comforably and operate, not standing or perched on a tall stool. So, it really comes back to whatever works best for you, and to some extent, what you get used to.
I have a 2 level layout.The lower level is at 37" and the upper at 55". I started out with a given that I could SIT on the floor under the lower level. Then I tried various heights for the upper level that would allow me to work on the lower level without "too" much trouble and still have it at a reasonable height for viewing. I'm 6' tall George
Modeling the B&O in the 50-60's
There are three things to remember: #1. You're going to have to do some, perhaps a lot, of work under the layout. #2. You're going to have to do work on the top side of the layout. #3. You're not getting any younger.
Keeping in mind #1 and #3 choose a height that is reasonably comfortable to work at under the benchwork. (It is not unreasonable to wear a hard hat for there are many things waiting for an opportunity to damage your skull. And do wear safety glasses if doing any overhead soldering.) Also choose a height you can crawl out from without assistance (see #3).
Keeping in mind #2 and #3 choose a height that gives you a reasonable arm's reach for most of the top side work without having to climb a ladder too often. Also the height will grow as you and the layout age.(see#3).
A 48" clear underneath height has worked well for me and my mountain scenery (which requires little if any maintenance once in place) was reachable with only a two step ladder. I also have some track on a grade resulting in a +4" elevation difference.
Most of my layouts have been 48" to the table top. The design of my latest layout called for two "stoop"-unders that were unavoidable. I designed the benchwork to that there was no benchwork under the two stoop-under locations. The 30" wide openings are spanned by the 1/2" plywood reinforced with 3/4" square lumber screwed and glued to the underside. Raising the layout to 50" gave me over 4' of clearance at the stoop-unders. I have since moved to the west coast and the layout came with me. When it came time to re-assemble the layout, I raised it 2 more inches to 52". Clearances at the stoop-unders had a little to do with that decision, but it was mainly for a better viewing angle. (BTW I'm 6'2".)
Cheers, Marty on Vancouver Island
Hi!
This is a common question, one that anyone with a layout has had to deal with - either before building or everyday once its up and running. The fact is, you really need to figure out the answer to the question yourself, for like in most everything, "one size does NOT fit all". Obviously there are a number of factors, like height of the main operator and / or other tall or short folks that will be involved. Also, will you have a lower level staging area, etc. But it all comes down to what you feel most comfortable with, and I suspect this will be somewhere between your chest and waist.
I'm 5' 9 1/2, and have had layouts both low and high and in-between. My last one was at 41 ", and seemed to be right for me. I took that layout down and am currently building a new one, utilizing the same room and support structure components. I truly gave the height a lot of thought, and kept coming back to the 41-42 inches. Typically I run trains standing up or sitting on a stool, and this works just fine. In addition, the new one will have 3 ft. "reaches", and this height works out pretty well for that too.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Some great points to consider. While we are discussing layout height, what is an adequate viewable/wokable distance between decks, lower deck surface to upper deck supports (N scale)?
Thanks for the suggestions,
John
I have just finished my layout boards and settled on 4 foot.I'm a tad under 6 myself ,but find this a reasonable height to work on and under.
I also considered a double decker but after reading Tony Koester's book,decided against it.As a lone wolf opererator,I think there would be just too much railroad for one man.
Besides,I don't think my carpentry is good enough for a helix....
Steve
My bad on the height of my new layout. The lowest track is about 45 inches. I forgot I planned 40 inches clear under the layout which makes it 44 inches to the top of the 1x4 supports and another inch for sub bed and roadbed.
This is different for me but should be OK. It is a bit high for the six year old.
One has to keep in mind that some us will have deteriorating knees as we age. Standing will become progressively more painful necessitating use of stools. Standing and "stooling" can result in different heights.
So if you have had injuries to your knees in your younger days, keep in mind you'll one day be limited in the time you can stand at your layout.