How tall is your layout?

[cwclark]

my layout starts at 48" and has 4 levels that end at a top level apex of 64"

[AggroJones]

Ground level--46" and there is a duck under.

[dave9999]

After my previous duck under experience, the new one is 48". The last one was 36"... more of a crawl under. Dave

[Anonymous]

Our layout was built six inches below my son's eye level when we started. He has since grown taller but the layout is still the same height. He loved being measured for the train layout, it gave him a sense that I built it for his enjoyment.
He now runs the trains alot more than I can, since I have to work.

[GerFust]

MIne is 54". Items I took into account are:

Reaching over buildings - At 5' 11" tall, this allows my armpit to clear the layout surface by several inches to reach over buildings, etc.

Eye level - Trains look best running at eye level. For me 54" means looking down on the layout a bit, but I plan on sitting on a bar stool while running, so the height works there. My son will be able to see it at eye level, but my daughter will have to watch using a stool.

Available space - I am building a shelf layout in my basement "shop". The walls are lined with metal utility shelves, that I build to only half-height. 54" allows me 14 inches above the metal shelfs to build brackets that reach out 24" to support the railroad (1/5" foam insulation). By the way, I am building my support brackets out of metal studs, rather than invest in expensive brackets, or have to deal with legs supporting the train "shelf" layout.

Build it at whatever height works for you, but base it on some criteria.

[jkeaton]

Base tabletop level is planned for 44 inches/112 cm, with tracks in the mountains up to 3 inches/7.5 cm higher and staging tracks a bit lower. The height is partly driven by the need for storage below, so it may get adjusted upwards. This wil also help with the 'little hands' problem. Interior turnouts are going to have to be power, though - this isn't a walkaround shelf-type layout!

Jim

[Anonymous]

40 inches from the floor to the top of the railhead at 0 elevation. That way I can reach everything on the layout to work on it while standing up, and when I sit in an office-type swivel chair to operate it, things are pretty much at eye level.

[Anonymous]

29" baseline for me. This layout is mainlu for the kids (5 and 6)... even included two seperate mainlines, one for each kid to run their own train!

ihghest track point is near 38", highest scenic is about 44". It was quite a challenge to layout 2 mainlines in 3x6 (N gauge), but it's turning out pretty nice.

--- peterd

[Anonymous]

58 inches, Eye level and I use the underneath for hanging clothes with a closet rod and other storage plus it is at the level of windows to another part of the basement(old house added on) future expansion into other part of basement but will first need to knock hole in wall and dig out cellar floor.

[Anonymous]

35" on a 3 4x8 'lazy C' (in center of 2-car garage) that I can walk all around, reach into the center easily enough, and being a old duffer set down in a regular chair at. :) BTW, 'old' 2-drawer metal filing cabinets mounted on wheels used for storage of tools and train stuff roll nicely under it.

[camarokid]

42" to 66" which is just about right to sit on a bar stool and see the whole layout if you sit in the right place.
Archie

[Anonymous]

In Australia we use metric measurements; my layout is 1 metre above the ground to the base board...which is roughly 36 inches in imperial measurements.

phil

[BNSFNUT]

My base level is 48". I chose this level because I have to sit while I operate and this worked out to be the right level when I sit on my old bar stool. It its a little high for children but about right for most adults. I had a church youth group in to see the layout (never again 12 kids 24 hands and nervous break down for me) and I had a couple of short step stools for the few of the kids that could not see. Note always have an adult hold on to a kid on a stool they WILL fall off.

[Anonymous]

I think that mine is about 43" tall.
Reed

[ndbprr]

6'5" and don't much care for anything above 48". 42-44" is what I prefer with one caviat - ABSOLUTELY NO MORE DUCKUNDERS!!!!!

[mikebonellisr]

I'm 5'11" and my layout is pretty much a shelf layout around the room.Easy enough to work on wiring and tortoises and great for watching trains run by at chest level.I do have to use a small stool to reach anything that is not right near the edge of the layout but that has'nt been a big problem.Right now it,s too high for my grand kids,but they'll grow into it.It's also great to have all that usable space under it.

[mike33469]

54", plenty of room for a lower level someday, and a great place for my workbench.

[tstage]

Chip,

You're going to get (as you've already seen) a plethora and variety of answers. Mines 42" high. It's a nice height for me (at 6'-4') to work on the layout and more at my eye level to enjoy viewing it - but still low enough for any kids who come to visit. You do have to consider your son and daughter in the ratio. If you decide on that range, I would go for the higher end. What height is the club layout?

Tom

[orsonroy]

First level 36" to 44"
Second level 44" to 54"
Third level 54" to 63"

My last layout was at 48", and if I ever build another one level layout, it'll be at 52"-54" which for me at 6'2" is a pretty good walkaround layout height.

Desks are at 32", which is supposedly optimal sitting height, so a layout at 36" should be a sitting down to operate pike. My workbench is at 40" which seems to be a good sitting height for me, and keeps my back straight.

[rfross]

My around the room shelf layout is 58" off the floor. It lets me use the room as a real room with a futon for guests, my PC, modeling workbench, etc. because everything fits underneath it.

[Dayliner]

51". Good for keeping the trains safe from small children (the railroad shares their playroom); not good when they want to run and watch the trains (we've had a couple of nasty falls off stools). I expect you will want yours lower because you are involving your children. 36" sounds good for that.

[rrinker]

The section I have now is at 48". This will go off into the rest of the layout which will be double-decked. The lower level will be at 36", the upper level at 54".

--Randy

[willy6]

36" because when built the benchwork, i used 6ft 2x4's and didn't want to waste wood.

[IRONROOSTER]

Top of table is 58". I have two drop down sections at 54" for planned scenic effects, but track will still be at 58".
Enjoy
Paul

[michealfarley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ebriley

Table top is 50 inches above the floor

Mine too. Just barely clears the light switch and breaker box. Plenty of storage underneath.

If your layout is high enough, then you can put your workbench underneath and save space, especially if space is a premium

[challenger3802]

My lower level baseboard sits 38" off the ground, ample height for sitting in a chair and watching them at eye level. The higher level station is a further 6" up (meaning I have to sit bolt upright to see them from the same chair!)

Ian

[Anonymous]

Table top is 50 inches above the floor

[leighant]

Tabletop 48" but I will go 6-8" higher next time.
Treetops 55"
Top of town water tower 58"
top of sky background 95"

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jsalemi

"Ground" level is around 50", with tracks running to about 6-7" above that and about 4-5" below (staging).

OK at this BPE (base point elevation) your TOR (Top of Rail) at your highest track is around 57" how is your maint acess at those numbers? My BPE is 36 with high TOR at 54". My eye level is 63" BUT I plan to use a chair most of the time for runiing which sets my eye at 43".