Ideal table height

[Anonymous]

The NMRA standard is 40 inches, but do as you please.

[Anonymous]

The NMRA standard is 40 inches, but do as you please.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the helpful comments

Joe

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the helpful comments

Joe

[Anonymous]

Here's a solution:

HAMMOCKS!

You can hang them at any height you want. Schedule your nap times to coincide with your junior operators.

[Anonymous]

Here's a solution:

HAMMOCKS!

You can hang them at any height you want. Schedule your nap times to coincide with your junior operators.

[Anonymous]

I vote for the adjustable height and raise it as your boys grow. Just make the legs bolt on and get new legs about 4 years from now and bolt them on giving you a new height.

[Anonymous]

I vote for the adjustable height and raise it as your boys grow. Just make the legs bolt on and get new legs about 4 years from now and bolt them on giving you a new height.

[Anonymous]

36" to the underside of the framework. That makes the average rail height about 42". WHY so low? My layout room is 11' x 11' with an average 36" deep shelf around the room, the corners are the deepest part and I can reach them by standing. Operation is done from an old office chair(s) with wheels (no back) which puts the rail just below eye level :) with a clear 36" under the framework I just slide old kitchen cabinets under it for storage and if (when) I need to get under it for maintenance they slide right out. Standing for several hours on a concrete floor to operate trains is harder on MY back than the occasional maintenance trip down under.
Oz is a state of mind - :)

[Anonymous]

36" to the underside of the framework. That makes the average rail height about 42". WHY so low? My layout room is 11' x 11' with an average 36" deep shelf around the room, the corners are the deepest part and I can reach them by standing. Operation is done from an old office chair(s) with wheels (no back) which puts the rail just below eye level :) with a clear 36" under the framework I just slide old kitchen cabinets under it for storage and if (when) I need to get under it for maintenance they slide right out. Standing for several hours on a concrete floor to operate trains is harder on MY back than the occasional maintenance trip down under.
Oz is a state of mind - :)

[OhioRailroader]

Well, I just finished benchwork on my 1st module section and it's at 40", adjustable from 39"-40 1/2". But now, I'll have to buy a new chair, lol. Mine isn't high enough anymore. [:D]

[OhioRailroader]

Well, I just finished benchwork on my 1st module section and it's at 40", adjustable from 39"-40 1/2". But now, I'll have to buy a new chair, lol. Mine isn't high enough anymore. [:D]

[Anonymous]

My layout is 54" high which allows me (6ft) to sit in a chair and work on the wiring and switch machines under the table with ease. My grandchildren, 5 & 6, stand on platforms so that they can operate the trains but not touch the layout. It is working out fine.

The idea of making it one piece so that you can raise it as they grow is a good suggestion.

It's important that it is fun for the kids of all ages.

[Anonymous]

My layout is 54" high which allows me (6ft) to sit in a chair and work on the wiring and switch machines under the table with ease. My grandchildren, 5 & 6, stand on platforms so that they can operate the trains but not touch the layout. It is working out fine.

The idea of making it one piece so that you can raise it as they grow is a good suggestion.

It's important that it is fun for the kids of all ages.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

Yea, but according to the note at the bottom of your post you have to remember that is about sixty-six inches in HO Scale, a pretty good height for wiring under the layout. - Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

Yea, but according to the note at the bottom of your post you have to remember that is about sixty-six inches in HO Scale, a pretty good height for wiring under the layout. - Ed

[Kent]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

It must be due to the medication you're on for the back pain... [;)][:o)]

Actually I don't bother with pain killers much, they don't work for me any more. I've taken too many over the years, bad back, knees, headaches,etc. Ive even had Tylenol 3 fail.

[Kent]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

It must be due to the medication you're on for the back pain... [;)][:o)]

Actually I don't bother with pain killers much, they don't work for me any more. I've taken too many over the years, bad back, knees, headaches,etc. Ive even had Tylenol 3 fail.

[BR60103]

There are a bunch of considerations.
The best viewing is generally considered to be eye level.
For operating and switching, it's easier if you can see over the trains.
For building and maintenance, you need to really reach over the trains.
Are you planning a major railroad or a single sheet of plywood? If you're making it on one sheet, I think you might consider doing something with changeable legs, so that you can raise it as they grow. Make it at eye level for the younger one, and have it so the older one can operate it. You'll be able to reach over it easily. As they grow, you can lengthen the legs. You can sit down on the floor to run it too.
You'll probably change it a lot as they grow up, possibly replace it a few times.
(My layout comes up to my armpit and I knock things over if I don't get a stool to reach.)

[BR60103]

There are a bunch of considerations.
The best viewing is generally considered to be eye level.
For operating and switching, it's easier if you can see over the trains.
For building and maintenance, you need to really reach over the trains.
Are you planning a major railroad or a single sheet of plywood? If you're making it on one sheet, I think you might consider doing something with changeable legs, so that you can raise it as they grow. Make it at eye level for the younger one, and have it so the older one can operate it. You'll be able to reach over it easily. As they grow, you can lengthen the legs. You can sit down on the floor to run it too.
You'll probably change it a lot as they grow up, possibly replace it a few times.
(My layout comes up to my armpit and I knock things over if I don't get a stool to reach.)

[Anonymous]

I'm planning on a 48" to 52" for main line with hidden return loop under that but still 45" above floor. Leaves room to work under layout and lots of storage for all those kits i've accumulated but haven't built yet.

[Anonymous]

I'm planning on a 48" to 52" for main line with hidden return loop under that but still 45" above floor. Leaves room to work under layout and lots of storage for all those kits i've accumulated but haven't built yet.

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

It must be due to the medication you're on for the back pain... [;)][:o)]

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

It must be due to the medication you're on for the back pain... [;)][:o)]

[AltonFan]

QUOTE:
I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

Well, that's the key. If you're happy with it, and it works for you, you've succeeded! Congratulations!

[AltonFan]

QUOTE:
I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

Well, that's the key. If you're happy with it, and it works for you, you've succeeded! Congratulations!

[Kent]

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

[Kent]

I must being doing something wrong, I built my layout at 36" and I'm happy with it.:)

[AltonFan]

When I was planning to build a layout, I decided to set the layout height so that the trains would be eye level when I was seated. (For me this came to about 48".)