I know a lot of people have different layouts.What is the basic height for the legs? If it is too high you would have to stand to operate your layout.I am begginning to start new and was wondering how high is the rule. Thanks.
i know some go for 48" others 42", i would say waist high so you can reach over.
My suggestion would be slightly below armpit level. This height limits bending over, keeps the trains closer to the eye, and yet is not so high that working on the layout becomes difficult.
Lance
Visit Miami's Downtown Spur at www.lancemindheim.com
My layout is 48" high and 2' deep. With this height, I am able to work on all parts of the layout without a problem and the viewing angle lets me see the entire scene comfortably and from a relatively realistic angle. These dimensions oviously correspond to my height. I think the height should be roughly halfway between your neck and your waist.
http://www.nmra.org/standards/modules/ms_intro.html
Check the bottom of the page.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
3 thoughts for "not too low" include...
Looking down on a trackage "bowl of spaghetti"; a lack of adequate room to slide out a cabinet/workdesk. or; access to underneath layout wiring.
You might consider "eye-level viewing" with the layout at your chest height as a planning starting point.
If you have a 2-level layout -- You will need to "split the height difference" with an apx. 12" - 15" between layout levels.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
That depends on a few things. Assuming a single deck layout how tall is/are the operator(s)? Today it is popular to to be higher to to get the point of view (POV) perspective (this also helps tighter radius curves to look better by the way). Arm pit to shoulder are common target areas.
Deeper benchwork will require lower deck heights to be a able to reach in. Have a duck under - you'll defiantly want the higher deck to get under it easier. Layout purpose will also have some bearing to height - operations based generally want higher for the POV and those that just like to watch them run like lower - sitting in a chair to watch them run and 48" isn't much fun on 3' deep scene.
I am 5"10", have single deck layout with one duck under to get into the layout. My track height is 52" -54" and the bottom of the benchwork is 48" (so I can get under it at the duck under and work on the wiring comfortably) I can sit on a 5 gallon buck and work underneath without having to go to the chiropractor after. The duck under isn't too bad for me. I really like the track height and wouldn't go lower for me
ratled
Modeling the Klamath River area in HO on a proto-lanced sub of the SP “The State of Jefferson Line”
My own layout is too low. If I had it to do over, I'd have given myself more room to work under the layout. We really do spend a lot of time under there. This, of course, is an individual-measurement thing, and depends not only on your size, but also how flexible you are and how comfortable you are sitting, kneeling, etc.
Crawl under your dining-room table. How comfortable would you be doing wiring under it? My guess is, you feel kind of cramped under there, and you'd like a few more inches. It's a good benchmark, though, so work from there.
I've seen very few model railroads where anyone operates them from a sitting position in a normal chair. High stools would be more appropriate.
Also, consider what you're using to build the layout. If it's 2-inch pink (or blue) foam board, then you need to allow for that in your calculations.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I decided that the height of the local modular clubs layout was good. The reason being if I ever joined and built one or more modules I could bring them home and plug them into my layout and treat them as a spur. I can see that spur line now running around the entire main floor of the house. I could just tell the wife it's only up for the weekend.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
froggy What is the basic height for the legs? If it is too high you would have to stand to operate your layout.I am begginning to start new and was wondering how high is the rule. Thanks.
What is the basic height for the legs? If it is too high you would have to stand to operate your layout.I am begginning to start new and was wondering how high is the rule. Thanks.
There is no "rule"; layout height like so many other parts of the hobby is a personal preference thing. There are really no physical constraints on the length of the legs, so personal choice governs.
Your question implies you prefer to sit to operate your layout. At least a very sizeable minority of layout owners prefers standing, and walk-around control to sitting at a control panel. So which you prefer would be a starting point.
Another preference is operating preference. Do you prefer to watch trains run through scenery, or perform switching operations? Switching tends to favor slightly lower track elevations so you can see beyond the train on the front track for car spotting and locating. Eye level track (or an inch below for HO scale) gives a view similar to real life, which can enhance watching a train run through scenery. Having a lower track elevation can simulate being in a tower or on top of a hill looking over the scene.
Another option is to put the layout at eye level while seated in/on the selected chair or stool, and then being able to stand up for a different view.
Personally, I'm all for whatever height you like best for viewing and operate. The other considerations - access under the layout, reach-in, etc. - should be subordinate to your pleasureable viewing and layout operation. There are work-arounds for working under low layouts, and work-around for working on top of high layouts. But there is no subsititute for your enjoyment of your layout at a height that suits you.
An easy way to experiment to see which height you might like is
1) adjustable shelves on the wall. Put a couple of tracks on the shelf with some rolling stock and see how you like various heights.
2) stack cardboard boxes. Put a couple of tracks on top of the top box with some rolling stock and see how you like various heights.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
AS mentioned, It really depends on a few factors and there is no real "rule of thumb".
My layout height was picked so I would not have to bend over a lot to work on it as I have a bad back. I also wanted it at a height that was just as easy to "play on" it when not working on it. SO it is higher than my waist, but not chest high either. About 42".I am 5'6".
It is also tall enough to get under to work on if need be. I can sit on a tool chest under it to work if need be.
I can reach about half way across it comfortably. It is also on wheels so I can pull it out from the wall to work on the backside or access it if need be.
Your layout height will depend on those factors and maybe more for your height and reaching capability.
As mentioned try with a few boxes stacked up and see what is what that is comfortable for you to lean over to work on, without killing your back, and ease of reach across it.
If you pick a deep table top or modular against the wall, also consider putting wheels on it so you can move it around to work on it or retrieve/fix things like derailments..
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
A lot of great answers. If I went with 48", would I still be able to reach across a 30" layout?Probably could if I can walk around to the other side.Right now it is about table height and it does seem too low.Thanks for all of your ideas.
Hi!
Lot of good advice, but in the end it is a personal consideration. Stuff like the main operator's height, whether kids will be around it a lot, will it be one level or two, etc., can make a big difference.
My current one is 48" with a lower level for staging/storage. My reach is a reasonable 30 inches or so, but I have areas of the layout where more is needed. I keep two square carpeted covered wooden platforms (12x14x12) in the room that I or my grandkids can stand on when needed. And of course I can also physically get on the layout as well.
My best operating is standing, but that gets old. So, I have a "bar stool" that I use that works out fine.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Layout before last was 58" tall. It was great for viewing the near track. The duckunder into the room was easy to negotiate and I was able to have a workbench and lots of storage underneath. The drawbacks were I could not find a stool high enough for comfortable viewing while seated, I needed a step stool to work on it, I could not see much beyond the first track that was occupied.
My last layout was 50" tall. It was good for viewing all the tracks, I did not need a step stool to work on it, and I still could fit a work bench underneath. Plus I could sit on a barstool for a good seated view.
Currently I have a temporary layout that is 46" tall. This is a little too low so my permanent walk around layout (to be started after finishing the basement) will be 50".
Enjoy
Paul
If you think you want a 48" high layout 30" wide the best thing to do is do a mock up. Temporarily set up a 30" wide surface 48" high. See if you can reach across it comfortably. Don't forget to put some trees, buildings and other such on the surface to truely give you the idea of a finished layout. So much depends on your personal build, height and arm length,
What I plan to do is operate from a tall stool, as mentioned above. I get a good viewing angle and am comfortable. It makes it so that I can stand to work on the layout and have good reach over ability. It is also high enough so that operating from a standing position, I'm not towering over the layout. My workbench is set up to work from the same height stool, but standing up I don't have to bend over much to work on it.
Do some mock ups and see what suits you the best.
Good luck,
The height of my layout varies, from 36" here:
...to about 40" here:
...and 44" here:
Eventually, there'll be a partial second level at 60" over the section that's at 36". You can see part of the supports for it in the first picture and also here:
The lower level can be operated and viewed comfortably from rolling office chairs, while the second level will require operators to stand. Layout depth is mostly 30" or less, and in all cases, track is within easy reach.
Wayne
I've had a variety of layouts over the years, ranging from a height of 36" through to 56"!
Currently, my layout under construction is 52" above floor level with another 1/2" on the baseboard with foam boarding to give some grades to and from the staging yards. Depth of the boards is a maximum of 24". I find this height is just about right but before I decided on it, I did some mock-ups to make sure what I was doing was the best. I think it is!
I can sit under the layout and work on the wiring, and I also have a workbench underneath (a standard computer table - nothing special) that I can sit at, complete with lamp, and it doesn't affect anything on the underside of the baseboards.
But then again it all depends on what you're looking for in how you operate your trains.
Brian
www.deadwoodcityrailroad.blogspot.com
This question pops up quite often in this forum and is not easily answered.
The best answer is to build it at a height that you feel comfortable with - you see, there is a strong personal component to it.
Layout height is influenced by your own height, the depth of your layout, your preferred viewing angle, abilty to bend down for under the table work.
I am a fairly tall guy, so my layout height was 60". It was a narrow shelf layout, not deeper than 18". If it had been deeper, I would have had to lower it to be able to work on it.
I don't spend much time under my layout other that initial construction. I have my connections on boards that swing down when I need to work on them.
Phoebe Vet I don't spend much time under my layout other that initial construction. I have my connections on boards that swing down when I need to work on them.
I dig this approach! Way to go!
My layout is 42" and rises to 48". I find that it allows me comfort while working on it. I like to sit while operating trains and it's a good height for that.
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
My present--and last--layout, the Yuba River Sub is 45" high at 0 elevation and rises to about 70" at maximum elevation (Yuba Pass). Since it's an around the wall layout with an peninsula, and I'm 6'1", it's pretty comfortable to operate (I use a walk-around throttle to follow the trains). For the most part, it's only between 20" to 36" deep, so even at my age (70) I have no trouble leaning over the layout for any work I need to do--I'm long legged, LOL!
But I agree with the other posters, there is no real Rule on layout height. I think it's what's comfortable for you. At the Deer Creek Yard, I have a nice 'helicopter' view when I make up trains, and running through the mountains leading up to Yuba Pass, I can get a nice 'eyeball-level' view of the trains as they surmount the grades. Works for me.
Helicopter view:
Eyeball view:
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!