Layout Height?

[traindaddy1]

Fast question: What is the height of your layout? (Floor to roadbed) If you had to do it over, what would you consider as the ideal height? Many thanks.

[dwiemer]

Ideal height? well that depends, if you have kids, you probably want the layout to be low enough that they can see it, but not too low that they will be able to reach onto the layout and "play". Starting about 36" and going up from there. That is my plan, and I'm sticking to it, unless my wife says otherwise.
Dennis

[jprampolla]

Hi Folks,

To save money, I cut one 8 ft. long 2 by 4 into 3 equal lengths, each 32 inches long for the legs, no waste. Then a leveling bolt on the bottom, and 5/8 inch OSB (oriented strand board, better to use plywood) on top, so the result is about 35 inches, great viewing height for both sitting and standing, in my opinion. Best of wishes on your new layout!!!

Take care, Joe.

[darianj]

This was something that I debated for a few days when I started my first layout (still working on it). I decided to go with about 50". This works for me as a good standing height as well as sitting on a short stool. I know I'll have to build something for my son to stand on when he gets a little older, but that won't be too much of a problem.

Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

About 42" is kind of an accepted "standard," but really only as a starting point because so much depends on individual circumstances and the layout itself in terms of accessibility, number of levels, and other such factors. I'm 6'2" tall, so prefer something higher than a person 5'11" might find comfortable.

In general, I like layouts that are on the high side because I feel it's more realistic to view trains from "ground level" or near ground level than it is to view them from the perspective of a mountaintop or airplane.

When I build my next garden railroad, even it will be built-up as much as possible to make the layout easier to work on, more pleasant and interesting to view, and to enhance drainage.

[Poppa_Zit]

I took under consideration my age and bad back and knees. So when I built mine at 49 inches high, my wife said "At that height, little kids won't be able to get very close."

"Exactly," said I.

[Anonymous]

My 2 level layout is 28 and 38 inches respectfully... I like to look down on the scenery like the 50 Ft Man.................Tim

[traindaddy1]

Thanks to all. Added note: I was just curious. Mine is 41". Again, thanks.

[mickey4479]

My layout starts out at 41 and rises up to 53 + inches. I like tall mountains that give a neat back drop for long trains.

[laz 57]

The school I teach at was going to get all new counters and cabinets. They were going to throw out all the old ones, so I scrounged them and use them as the base. The cabinets are 30inches high, then I have 2 X 4s then homisote for the top total hight is 34 inches.
laz57

[Anonymous]

Hi the best way is to use both low height standard 38 - 40 inches an think about those older years with little train(s) operator(s) and a second step (shelf type) about 52 - 54 inches height your kids gonna flip with they amont of potential available for scenery change you love the way it can be change like the real world you can use the base frame of your layout to built the second floor without destroying your walls with shelf bracket and the fun start all over again and again hope this will help ps for the second floor use 2x2 for minimal thickness ENJOY mmmmmmm third floor ......yoooooopi said the kids jjjjjj nb use a lot of walk a round type

[cnw1995]

I gotta measure the concrete wall in front of the crawlspace atop which I put the layout - it's chest high to me and I'm about 5' 7'' - I can lean on it - I'd guess it's about 48-50 inches. Have to use a stool to climb up on it.

[jefelectric]

Mine is at 33". Would go higher if starting out new again. The old bones and muscles get mighty sore crawling around under a layout of this height. It would be nice to be able to sit up under the layout.

[tschmidt]

I have a height of 36 inches. Under one section I have bookshelves and cupboards.
TomS

[zeames1]

I'm 6'3" so I built it higher at about 50" from floor to the top of the rails.

[Anonymous]

My 4' x 8' Lionel layout at my house sits only 18" off the floor. My huge Lionel layout is 54" off the floor. My G scale layout is 8" below ground level at the lowest piont and is 66" above ground level.

[CNJfan]

My layout height at the roadbed is 41". I have some raised track area that bring it up another 4" in places as well. That height works well for me.
Tim C.

[Anonymous]

The height of my garage layout was determined by the tallest item I need to store under it [:)]

[ChiefEagles]

What fits your room and situation. Mine will be like Tim's, 24 to 30 inches due to second height going through a wall and the clearance on the other side. Also high enough for wiring and etc to clear Rubbermaid tubs with wife's decorations for every season.

[kopeck]

I just bought 8' 2x4s and cut them in half for my legs, but I'm on the tall side (6' 3"). Some day when I do it again I'm going to go a bit lower. I had a friend come over with his kids and they had to be held all to see the trains which isn't something I wanted to do.

K

[jimhaleyscomet]

I used to have a tall layout. It was fun as everything was at eye level for a standard adult. I purchased a small scaffold so the kids and I could sit on it while watching trains. Still the next layout I went 41". It is easy to work on when standing and the trains are at horizontal level when I am sitting. Also I store all the train boxes under the layout.

Jim H

[lionelsoni]

I put mine at 45 inches, which is a little higher than I wanted, but allows me to tuck a workbench with an oscilloscope and a desk with a computer monitor on it partly under the layout. I also have bookshelves, cabinets, and an Elfa basket-drawer contraption under there.

[Anonymous]

My layout is 37" at track level with the plywood and homasote base. It does reach 51" at the top of my mountain. Being 5'9", this height works for me. It provides enough height for the adults to get a good look at all the various scenes.

I received a digital camera for the holidays and as soon as I can learn how to post some photos I will be including them with my posts.

Steve Tapper
Northern Central High Railers

[Anonymous]

Start with 32" to see if that is a comfortable reach.

Gradually try to get up to 48".

Andrew F.

[Anonymous]

Mine's 42.5" high. 42" legs and 1/2" plywood top.

[dwiemer]

Everyone has layout height at a certain level depending on the needs they have. Some need to think about crawling under it to do wiring, others want it low to let the kids look in, some have to worry about age and ability to reach certain areas. While we all have to keep these ideas, and others, in mind, I saw a great trick in the Model Railroad Planning guide for '06. The guy gets one of the bookshelves that has adjustable shelves. then he takes one of his engines and puts it on shelves at different levels. He looks at it standing, then sitting, whatever. When you take into account all the issues that will affect your situation, and you see what the trains will look at at different positions, then you get a good idea of where to start. This is all timely as I begin benchwork.
Dennis

[Anonymous]

Height would depend on a few factors:

1) small kids?
2) watch trains from sitting (recliner or chair)?
3) want to increase your reach to the middle of the table?
4) will you have multiple levels of elevated track?
5) will you have mountains reaching higher that the tracks?

For these reasons I kept the 30" table top height I had as a kid. The added benefit is that wiring is eaiser to work on under the table from the creeper. It is also high enough for me to crawl under the table...

I would recommend 30" if you have some of these considerations... I recline my lazyboy and my eyes are at railhead level... I think it is perfect...

[traindaddy1]

Once again, thanks to ALL for your input.

[FJ and G]

I run mine on the ground.

[thor]

Dave that dog looks just like my old rabbit dog Fred who was a lady beagle/terrier! every time I see your dog it brings a lump to my throat, I wi***hey had longer lifespans.

Anyway, layout height. The way I did mine was so that I had enough height to be able to get under it without contortions because eye level is the way to go to view trains like the real thing but if the layout is really wide, you need to be higher than eye level or you wont see whats happening at the back.

So I set mine up to be eye level when seated at the control panel and used a bar stool as my seat to get the height to work on the underside and reach the pop up sections without having to crawl. I cant give the exact height though because it was thirty years ago when I last had a big fixed layout but I think it was about 50".

The eye level thing matters though. Now, playing on the floor, I find its better to lie down on my tummy like the kid I'm playing with and let her do the running back and forth to change stock and add loads and fix derails whilst I operate the controller. My Atlantic looks surprisingly heavy and massive from the chin on floor position and the oval of track looks a lot bigger too!

If the wife would let me I'd do an 'Arthur' and build a layout around the bed so I can go to sleep listening to that wonderfully soothing 'clickety clack' .