How high should a layout be??

[Anonymous]

I'm just starting construction on my 6' x 13' table top layout.

I want to install the legs tomorrow..but.. I'm not sure how high to make it.

48" comes to mind .... is this a good idea?

Thanks for the help,

Chuck

[selector]

Chuck, depending on your physique, you should have it low if you have to reach any further than 24" to get at a derailment or whatever. Since you are using a monolithic table, and not a more linear bench-type, your reaches to right wrongs will be demanding ones on a table that size, so keep your table between 36-40". If you were to build benches, or a walk-in type of layout where your reaches would never exceed 24", the pros say to place the main tracks near sternum height. That is at the bump where your lowest ribs meet in the center of your abdomen.

[colvinbackshop]

Height is a matter of "what feels right for you", But I will share two things that work for me.
I like to view trains, when railfaning, from a slightly looking downward position....Bridges, ridges, top of a cut, what ever. So, with that thought, I have my MRR at a height that is a slight downward sight-line, either while standing at the upper level, or seated at the lower level.
One other thing (actually two) to keep in mind is who will be operating/watching the trains...Lower height for the kids, or a stool for them to stand on, and a major point to remember is that you will have to reach to the back of your layout at some point...guaranteed! So a high elevation makes it hard to get to, even if the "push" seems to be a layout at eye level...You will need the stool to do the maintenance!

[DanRaitz]

I find that the "perfect" height to chest (nipple) high.
Dan

[CNJ831]

There are many considerations involved. However, it is common practice today to have the "zero elevation" level of a layout at no less than 42". The justification for this is the desired view should be less of that of a God's-eye view and more of a rooftop view of the trains and scene. Many hobbyists currently favor building layouts, especially shallow-depth, around the wall examples, at shoulder height so that the trains are viewed from a perspective almost as in real life. There is also the consideration of who else may view the layout on a regular basis. If you have children or grandchildren, adult shoulder height might be a poor choice, even with a step-stool provided. There, a 42" zero elevation might be best. It all comes down to personal choice and purpose.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

I've set my layout height at 38". It's the perfect height when I'm sitting at the controls.

[nbrodar]

There is no right height, although the tend is the higher the better. Personally, I like 48" height benchwork, that's 30" deep. (I'm nearly 6 feet tall and prefer to work standing).

Nick

[emdgp92]

My layout is roughly 44" high. It's high enough I can sit on a milk crate under it while doing repairs, and low enough that I can reach for things without difficulty.

[SteelMonsters]

Getting high is bad for anybody...

Oh your talking about layout height. :)


I prefer a height between just below eye level at most down to just above waist heights. Chest heights gives the best balance. Dual level I perfer the lower and higher level to be within the two limits.

Small layouts I almost pefer to sit down and have a birds eye view.

[ham99]

My base is 48" above floor level, with rivers dropping up to 4" below that and elevations up to 12" above that. I prefer to work standing up. I have a folding stepstool for reaching the occasional problem at the back of the 32" wide benchwork. This gives me 40" of clearance under the table for wiring.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what you like. i like to get a tape measure and measure heights from the floof, then picture the layout at this height. this may work, but if you cant picture your layout there, don't even try it.

[BRJN]

It will probably be easier to cut the legs short now and put tall footies under the layout later, than to cut the legs long now and have to shorten them later.

That said (and it's a whole lotta help, right? [:I] ) I don't know that I would have a 6-foot wide table to reach into; even if I can get at it from both sides (3-foot reach-in), that is more than half as tall as me. To make the reach, the table would have to sit about level with my hip joints.

[Anonymous]

I will never understand why so many of you guys like the table tops soooo high. 42" = zero elevation is still high to me. I made mine 32" high and no more that a 32" reach to anywhere. I have a few places that are going to be 64" across (nice for turnarounds). I also build a bench (a 6' footer built into the frame work) to sit on, and watch my trains. I want to see if a problem occurs arcoss the room. I must admit that when it come to working under the benchwork that is somewhat of a pain in the neck, I am hoping after all the sodering is done that I won't have to get under there much. I went DCC, wiring is at a minium.
I too, am still kinda new to the forum, but I still have my own ideas. You should too. We all learn when we all contribute.
Just putt'n in my two cents worth.
ennout

[RMax1]

Mine is 38 inches high. I can sit in a chair and everything is at eye level. We put 6 inch legs on a couch to raise it higher up off the ground and that is good for mid level viewing. The layout is also still low enough I have no problems getting to the center to work on it.

RMax1

[tstage]

Chuck,

It really is personal preference. I have a 4 x 8 and have access on 3 or the 4 sides. I started out with 48", dropped it to 45", then dropped it again to 42". I'm 6'-4" and long-legged so 42" is a comfortable height for me to work on and reach across my layout.

If I graduate to an around-the-room, I might go higher but the shelf won't be wider than the 24" (maybe 30", max.) 30" is the maximum comfortable reach. Again, that depends on each person. Since I have long arms, 36" is no problem for me. Now, if I get more trees at the edge of my layout, that may change...

Tom

[jecorbett]

With a small layout where you can sit at the controls and see the whole thing, lower benchwork is OK but if you are going to be standing and walking around with your train, 42" is probably the minimum. I like it higher. I'm 6' 1" and my base level is 48" which is just right for me. My benchwork is 3' deep. You only have to be concerned with reach if you have track that is not near the front of the layout. If you keep most of your track near the front, I seen no problem with 48" high benchwork. I do have some track near the back but on the rare occasions when I have to reach that far, that is what step stools are for.

[BR60103]

My layout comes up to just below my extended arm. My shelf is usually 24", going to 30". I think this is too high by about 6" as my sleeves catch on things when I reach across.
My wife is 9" shorter than I am and thinks it's a good height for looking at things; she can't see some of the problems that I do.
I worked on a layout with a fellow who's maybe 6" taller than I am (I'm six feet) and he built a yard that I needed a stool to operate.