Benchwork height

[cmrproducts]

My bottom level varies from 32” to 34”

The middle level varies from 42” to 50”

And my top level is at 60”

The higher the levels get the narrower I made them. With me being 6 ft tall the only change I should have made was the top level could have been a little lower but I just made fold down steps which are 8” high so this makes the top level around 54” while standing on the step. Sure helps out the shorter layout operators.

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[CascadeBob]

I'm about to start a new N scale around-the-wall, walk-around layout. I plan to make the top surface of the bench work approximately 54" off the floor. This is based on my experience with my last layout. I'm 6'4" and 54" is approximately chest-high for me. At this height, the width of the bench work should probably not exceed 24", with 30" width as a maximum, unless you have an extra-long reach or are willing to work while standing on a stool. At this height, I find it convenient to use a a roll-around office chair with reclining back to work under the layout. I believe having the layout height closer to eye-level enhances the realism of the scenes to be viewed. Young children can be accommodated using step stools.

Bob

[MIKE0659]

Our basic benchwork height is 44.5". The lowest track height is 47". We did this so we could put everything on risers and not rely on the not always consistent thickness of the 1"x4"'s for level track.

Our highest track height is 56.5". If not for the fact that some of our regular operators are a little shorter than we are (Ray is 6'6" and I'm 6'), we might have moved everything up a few inches for that near-eye-level effect at the highest point.

Another consideration is where you put things on a high layout. We put our yard near the lower end to allow the yard operator to look down and see the numbers on cars in the yard. At the highest points are mainline and coal loaders where car numbers aren't important, you just pull tracks of loads and replace them with empties. Car number reading isn't necessary.

The heights we chose are a good compromise and everyone can see what they are doing.

We tested all this stuff with boards and tracks and trains at various heights above the floor before we decided on a final level.

Of course, we also planned on standing up while operating since the railroad was planned to be operated walk-around style from the start.

[BR60103]

My layout comes to just under my armpit. That's because it sits on top of IKEA shelving and that was the height it came out at. I'm about 6' tall, my wife is 5' 3"; she gets an eye level view.
I find that it's too high to be reached over -- I keep knocking things over. I have a few step-stools for doing maintenace work. I usually operate standing up. Or running around.

[fsm1000]

Mine will be five feet because the 'boss' [bow] said I can put my layout on top of the tv entertainment center I made. [:D]
Stephen

[Anonymous]

My original benchwork is at 36", and the extended benchwork is at 48".
I am thinking of taking a 12" off of the 48. I to have children and the boy keeps telling me
"I cant see it when its that high"..LOL
Making all of it at 36" would make it easier to add a second deck in the future.
The height of the second deck will be around 55"

[Anonymous]

I would like to recomend that Modular and other types of display layouts br at 36" - 42". While I understand the appeal of adult chest height please keep in mind that any type of display should be viewable by children and wheelchairs.

[Bill54]

I'm 5'10", my layout was originally 48" it is a 5' x 10-1/2' table. I had some problems reaching the middle of it without a step stool so I lowered it to 40". At 40" I could reach everything on top but working under the table was a little tight.

In the next couple of months I will start building a larger 15' x 20' layout with 24" and 30" sections around the walls. When I build it the yard will be at 50". Working under the taller layout I'm a lot less cramped. Although it is taller than the 48" layout and will have some areas that are 30" deep I shouldn't have any problems reaching trains or doing track work since I won't have track that is right up against the wall. Then there's always the step stool to give me a boost!

Bill

[jfugate]

We've been discussing benchwork height over on my website in the forum. Ideal benchwork height is not a single value because we all come in different heights. I've concluded benchwork height needs to be a function of how tall you are.

Here's a link to the discussion where we talk about this:
http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2042


I'm an advocate of high benchwork because of how nice the trains look and how much it allows you to narrow the benchwork and get more layout into your space.

The above scene is the upper deck of my mushroom and the track level there is 80" off the floor (only 11" below the 91" ceiling). You view the upper deck of my mushroom by standing on a 15" raised floor, so the scene above appears to be at 65" from the raised floor. You can find more about my mushroom layout design at:
http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.20

[Medina1128]

I made mine 44" high for two reasons, the first being there is a second level on my layout at 51". The other, is that I can use an adjustable office chair to sit at my control panel, which puts my layout at almost mid chest high.

[Anonymous]

Mine is 38" high, which is perfect for me for seated operations. I can sit or crawl under the layout to work on wiring and whatnot and not bump my head. I can stand and reach well into the layout if need be to throw a switch or rerail cars. My layout is deep, at 48", but that's a necessity, considering my layout is built in a bonus/attic room and the walls are also the ceiling, and slope inward as they rise. What's not hidden track is actually only about 30-36" deep though. I have approximately a 14" high backdrop hiding the loop of mainline that travels around the layout. Sitting down on a rolling stool, the layout is at eye level, which is exactly what I wanted. I can then stand and still reach very far into the layout for the occassional mishap.

[JCasey]

Mine is 42" high and 30" deep. I am 5' 10", this height allowed me to reach the back of the layout with standing on anything and provided ample room below for under-layout storage, yet was low enough to sit on the floor to do wiring and such.
John

[fiatfan]

Mine's at about 43". I have a 30" deep around the walls type and with a two step ladder, I can easily reach the back of the layout.

In addition, my two year old grandson can sit on the stool and easily see the trains. I can set him far enough away that he can't reach them but still gets a good look at them.

Tom

[conrail92]

my old one was 45" comfrotable for me too do undernesath wiring and work on top as well my new one might be a littel taller

[tomikawaTT]

My most important station is at 42 inches,for a most improbable reason. That's the track gauge of the prototype I model.

However, rail routes go both up and down from there, which gives me one station at 36 inches and several at heights in the 48-54 inch zone. That's what happens when you set one height arbitrarily on a pike that only has level track in staging and within yard limits.

Of course, my prototype, too, only has level track within yard limits.

Chuck

[ClinchValleySD40]

24", 40" and 60" on 2/3 of the layout. Remainder is 48" and 60" with staging under at 24" and 36".

[Anonymous]

I'm using 46". I am 5'7" and this seems reasonable to me.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

36" for me. This makes it high enough I can get underneath to work on wiring comfortably and it puts the layout at eye level for me as I sit in a chair to operate the trains. All the controls are at my fingertips.

[selector]

I built my first layout at 44" at the surface. I am 5' 7". I found that I wanted to squat often to get the best view that a person would want, so it should have been closer to 55". That said, I did sometimes enjoy sitting at tableside, and that better view was presented thereby. I used a medium wooden stool, maybe 3' high.

Without the benefit of John Armstrong's preference, I decided that I wanted my yard right up to my sternum, and it actually sits 3/4" above the top of the knob. Quite high, but are you ever "in" there.

Accomodating smaller visitors may be an issue with many members, but not in my case. I have a nephew who enjoys playing with my trains three or four times a year, and he sits on a stool. Most of my visitors are adults, few though they are, with my younger 6' brother being the biggest fan.

So, to sum up, get a chair that you will likely use (be honest), and sit on it. Picture where you'd like the view to be, and measure it. It should be about chin height. There ya go. If you build the right kind of structure, you'll even have that storage space that either you or the missus wants.

[IRONROOSTER]

My current layout is 58". I chose it because I needed to maximize storage under the layout.

Benefits include: the duckunder into the room is easy to negotiate; the side view is really great (I'm 5'11"); and you can easily put a work bench underneath.

Downsides are: shorter people don't see it well (my wife is 5'3"); a step stool is mandatory for working on the layout; and the layout room is a little claustraphobic.

Enjoy
Paul

[CP5170]

52" for me as well. I find that height allows me to sit in a lowered office chair and work under the layout. I also like the idea of viewing the layout at a slight downward angle as opposed to viewing the buildings and equipment from the top.

In Model Railroad Planning 1995, John Armstrong stated " I like yards about 53" high, 4"higher than mine, with the yardmaster standing instead of sitting on a stool. Stools would take up floor space we don't have."

My two cents worth...Ken

[Anonymous]

42" for me. Good for me to work on or I can run trains while sitting on an office chair. My 1 year old son can't get to it but it be able when he gets a little older. I also made provisions for a 22" lower deck which is workable while sitting and my son could easily run the lower deck. (when he's old enough) I may use a portion of the possible lower deck for a future Tomas the Tank Engine setup.

[Anonymous]

My benchwork is 52 inches above the floor. I am 6ft 2inches tall and I find this a comfortable height for me. I model in G scale and the view of the buildings on the layout is a realistic view. I built the Chama coaling tower (33 inches tall) and I am within a foot of the bottom of the floor joists.
I also have 2 duck unders and at 63 yrs of age, the 52 inches makes it a lot easier to get under them.

[pcarrell]

I just took down my double decker (to move) and I had the top deck at 56" and the bottom at 38". I'm 5'10", so this worked out well for me. I should add that my layout was a shelf type layout, so having a far reach wasn't a real big deal. If I were doing a deeper layout (say, something over 2' deep) then I'd have probably lowered it some.

Also, I'm in N scale, so these heights are not too bad. The larger the scale, the lower it should be I feel. This is because the scenery will come up to meet you as the scale gets larger.

[nbrodar]

Mine is 48". I'm 5'11" and the taller benchwork gives a nicer view, and is easier to work under. It's also simple to make 48" tall legs.

Nick

[jbloch]

Following tstage's remark, Linn Wescott's benchwork book reccommends 42" for most(even large) table top plans. I don't recall that he goes into why exactly, but in recalling other posts on this subject in the past, it seems this is a good balance in being low enough to get a good look over the layout and high enough to be able to do under the table work relatively easily. But as Simon and T Bryant point out, you may have other situations/priorities that might make you want to have your height higher or lower (young kids, double-decker layout, etc.)

Jim

[tstage]

42"

I might have gone higher but my basement ceiling is only 6'-5" and I'm 6'-4". For me at 42" and my layout a 4 x 8, it's low enough to comfortably work on and reach across but high enough to see it up close. If I had made my layout any higher, it would have both looked and felt like I was modeling in the lower bunk of a bunk bed.

Tom

[simon1966]

29"

This is low compared to many, but here are my reasons.

1. My 6 year old can reach all the tracks without having to stand on anything.
2. This height is comfortable for me to sit on a rolling stool and move easily around the layout.
3. This height is perfect for me to lie on my back on the floor and reach the wiring under the bench work without having to strain too much.
4. There is always the possibility of adding an upper deck!

[Tom Bryant_MR]

52". It comes up to the middle of my sternum. This has been the advice from many who choose to have a standing or walk-a-round layout as it presents the layout to the viewer without looking down on the top of everything.