I've been so concerned with a layout design, that I haven't decided on how tall our benchwork should be. I've seen some comments about low enough to sit and work, but others saying tall enough to stand and work, and also so it's more eye level. If it helps, or matters, we decided on the smaller Gauley Junction layout from "48 Top Notch Track Plans".
What have you done and why?
Thanks!
Personal preference.
It depends on your height and the ability to reach everywhere on the layout.
You might also consider the height of the shortest person who will operate on it.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I like to work standing. My layout is mid-chest high.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
Are you more comfortable looking down on the scenery, structures or trains?
Something at or near eye height can be hard to see for yards etc.
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
My bench work height is 48" for several reasons. Having trains at multiple levels I am look more at then down on them but the other advantage is I can sit in a rolling chair or stool and work on wiring r what ever under the layout rather then on my knees or back. May not sound like a big deal to you but wait til you get older you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. The key is not so much the height of the bench work but the width of it. keep in mind the higher up you go the shorter your reach becomes. So lets say at 40" you can reach the back of a 36" wide section of bench work when you raise it up to 48" it goet a lot hard unless you have arms like an orangutan
I like high for being closer to eye level while walking around. And since our layout stretches across the tops of bookshelves, that's a good thing -- the benchwork starts at 54", and with scenary, the lower levels of track rnage from 2-4" inches higher than that. If we ever decide we want to sit while operating, the theory is to pick up barstools. Reaching into one far back corner will just call for a stepstool to facilitate the reach.
A couple thoughts:
[1] All things being equal -- your eye-level is a good starting point.
[2] If lower than 36" -- layout trackage becomes "a spaghetti bowl."
[3] 36" is a minimum -- an underneath desk or bookcase needs 30."
[4] You need 6" for benchwork, layout fascia, wiring, etc
[5] Layout backdrop heights range 15"-18" in height.
[6] Adjust accordingly for multi-level (two level) benchwork.
[7] And, will you be standing or sitting for that eye-level viewpoint?
Also, while not "benchwork height" -- your maximum benchwork-depth reach is apx. 32" to the backdrop. Homework Assignment: Stand with your arms outstretched to the wall -- and you will probably get your target benchwork height plus benchwork depth -- to be adjusted for the kinds of variables listed in this forum thread.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
My layout is only two feet deep, so I can still reach the background. My layout actually stands about 53 or 54" total, the legs are 48". And that was only because I'm lazy, get an 8' long board, cut it in half, you have (2) 48" legs. I did put levelers on the bottom of the legs so the cuts didn't have to be exact. The higher layout works good for me. Easy to "get under", plus the trains are closer to eye level so the layout looks bigger.
I went through the same analysis as you when I started, and solicited the forum members for their imput too. I settled on 48-52" and have been very pleased. (1) It is high enough that I'm not looking down on the layout, and (2) high enough to use a stool on rollers to sit on and work under the layout. You could adjust accordingly.... I'm just a hair under 6' tall. This puts about everything chest high. I suppose if one had children who will be operating, that would change the criteria and compromise the two main issues.
Happy building.... Hal
My current layout is 48" at the bottom of the cork roadbed. This is a bit of a compromise, I'm 6' tall and wanted to go closer to 54", but one wall of my room has a sloping ceiling and that lowering by 6: gained me enough space to have minimum 30" aisles in a E shape. Almost as important as the top height - I can sit underneath on a chair without bending over, to hook up wiring and switch motors.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
My last layout was 58" high, the duckunder into the room had an underside clearance of 56 1/2". The duckunder worked very well - easy to negotiate. It provided a great view of the train or car nearest the aisle, but any behind it were hard to see. I needed a step stool to work on it. My wife and children could not see it very well since they are shorter than I am (5'11") My current layout is 50" high and has no duckunder. I have a better view of the second track, etc. when standing up and it's easier to work on - no step stool needed. The family can see it also.
Both heights are easy to work under and can have a workbench underneath it. While both heights work I have decided that future layouts will also be 50" high.
Enjoy
Paul
Phoebe Vet Personal preference. It depends on your height and the ability to reach everywhere on the layout. You might also consider the height of the shortest person who will operate on it.
Hammer -> Nail.
My layout is multideck - 33" lower staging nolix-ing to a 44" main yard and the helix-ing to 60" for the top level.
Note, the top level is too high for the wife to see it so I will be buying a step stool for her when we get to scenery.
Our main layout is about 48 inches high which is high enough for visual appeal and low enough for an operation oriented-layout. However, if I was going for a more scenic layout, I would go up to 54 inches on some section. BTW, take in consideration the ceiling height too if you're using a steeptool in a basement!
For my portable layout, I built the frame work, laid track and major scenery works at table height then installed the legs at eye height.
Proudly modelling the Quebec Railway Light & Power Co since 1997.
http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com
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I settled on 46" for a few reasons. I think you need to find a balance between looking realistic and operating. Heights below eye level are easier to operate, especially in yards, etc. Heights closer to, or at, eye level certainly look better since this is how we normally look at trains, however a large yard would be a bit more difficult to operate at eye level, imo.
A 46" in height also allows me to sit upright under the layout without getting a kink in my neck, and is about as tall as I can get and maintain an easy 30" reach. ( I'm 6' 1" and run N scale) We all know that once your railroad is all wired up you'll NEVER have to go under the layout again, but it's nice to be comfortable on the off chance you'll have to fix improve something.
A 46" height allows me to place my work bench under the layout and still have lighting under the layout to illuminate the work bench. ( I also have well over 100 rubber/gas power old time airplane kits to build as well)
In the final analysis you need to pick a height that works for you and the other operators, suits the building area allocated, and allows for additional levels -either higher or lower- at some future date if desired.