benchwork height

[doneldon]

It depends on many things like your height, age, presence of other levels, etc.

 I'm building a 4X8 table layout for my grandson.  I put it on sturdy height variable folding legs.  I can jack it up so I can work on it comfortably and lower it so he can run it, even sitting down.  Plus, it can go mhigher as he grows taller.

 Good luck on your project.

 

[saronaterry]

Hi. The yard on the right is at 45" and the "blob" on the left is at about 54". I'm 5'7" and the benchwork in the yard is 2', the blob is 52" radius but accessible from 3 sides.The climb from the yard to the blob is around 70' feet. It is an around the walls with 3 pennisulas and the benchwork is no wider than about16"(except the yard, of course). All this to get staging under the layout opposite the yard wall.Hope this helps!

Terry

[j610]

 Thanks again everybody . A lot of information and from all of this it seems that 42 inches is probably going to work well for me . I am going to start my benchwork in a couple of weeks . I will keep everyone posted as to my progress . Thanks again .    RON

[chugchug]

48" to 50" seems towork the best for most folks. If you have 2 levels you would go lower.

[R. T. POTEET]

galaxy, at 9:46 AM you were 5' 6" tall; two minutes later at 9:48 AM you were still 5' 6" tall. You are going to have to wait more than two minutes after you finish that morning bowl of Cheerios before taking another heighth measurement! 

[traindaddy1]

Ron: OK, here's my ...Mine is 38" high. Being only 5'7" tall, this is a comfortable height for me.

 May I suggest that you consider what you would like to do with the space under the layout. ie. Open...cabinets....box storage....shelves.....access to wires for trouble-shooting etc.

Too me, the overall appearance of the trainroom and the practical use of all your available space can only add to the enjoyment.  All the best.

 

[ChrisNH]

  I was planning on 42" from the floor . I am 5' 5" tall .

 

I am 6'1" and have put my small layout at chest height or about 54". This has worked out for a reasons.  My small N scale trains are close up. Its easy to work on the layout without fatigue from bending over. I am counting on the height to help me hide the end of a dummy track behind buildings and trees. I would expect you would get a similar experience from a layout that is 48" high. 

For my next layout I may even go up to 56" (50" for you..) since I still feel that I am looking a bit down on the trains but a lot will depend on how far I have to reach. RIght now I only have to reach 18" at the deepest part. 

edit - one note.. I much prefer working and running my layout standing. I sit all day, if you prefer to sit then my height recommendation would not work. 

Chris 

[PurePennsy]

With lumber costs a huge considration, I divide 8' pieces by 2 and you get a 4' (48") height and there is no waste.

[4merroad4man]

My first deck is 34.5 inches tall and is supported by base cabinets, as would be used in a kitchen or bath.  My layout is a multi-deck layout, so the lower height is required for proper separation between the decks above.

[twhite]

I'm 6'1" and designed the "0" elevation on the Yuba River Sub to be 45" high, which puts the highest elevation on the railroad (Yuba Pass) right at nose level, LOL!  Which is the way I wanted it in the first place.  Also, the 45" height in the yard allows me some good bend-over room to get at those pesky little freight cars that always seem to want to derail on the farthest away track. 

And as several have mentioned, a 45" height allows you a LOT of storage room underneath the layout.  So I'd say your 42" height is right in the ballpark. 

Tom