benchwork height

[donhalshanks]

I'm 5'11-1/2" and my track work is 48" - 52".  Of course the bench work is a little below that.  It has worked well for me.  I have a small stool on wheels when I go underneath to wire. I use a small stool to stand on when working on the front to middle of layout, and a 3-step ladder when working toward the back.  I think seeing the trains somewhat near the eye level is a good thing to consider.

Have fun.  Hal

[Lateral-G]

I'm 6'-3". My layout goes from 45" to 53". I prefer the trains to be as close to eye level as practical. The wife thinks I'm nuts for putting it so high but once she sees it running and scenic'd then she'll change her mind...

 

-G- 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

42" seems good to me. Mine is at 35".

[Johnnny_reb]

 Its me again. Would like an opinion on my proposed benchwork height . I was planning on 42" from the floor . I am 5' 5" tall . Does that sound about right ? I would appreciate any input .            THANKS   RON

I have my benchwork built at 48" and have been thinking of lowering it to around 40" just because I have shorter people that may at one time like to view it or even run it someday but a height of 42" would also be great. Not too short for me and not too tall for the short people.

[Beach Bill]

Keys to YOUR selection on this have already been mentioned:  Building and service on the top; and doing the wiring below.   Many suggest that the best height is "to the middle of your breastbone". 

Another factor in your choice is the depth of the layout - how far from the front edge will you have to reach in to build/detail/repair?   With limited room space, I worked heavily upon the premise that (a) I needed to have the workbench at least partially under the layout and (b) I wanted to fit lots of bookshelves under there to house all those MR and Trains magazines.   I needed enough room above the top of the bookshelves to allow me to reach in and do wiring.   Also, do you really prefer the "railfan" perspective of looking at the side of the train as it rolls past, or do you want some overhead view of the train snaking through a scenic curve?   Do you feel comfortable using a stepstool to be able to really "eyeball" for kinks in that fresh tracklaying job that is toward the back of the layout (some folks understandably just don't want to stand up on anything that they could fall from)?

Put some masking tape at the doorframe at a couple different heights, writing the number on the slab of tape.  Then practice reaching over that height into an imaginary layout to see how effective you will be with a needlenose pliers. 

And if you're wondering, my layout is at 54", but then I'm 5' 15".    

BTW, j610, I recall that you are modelling the Roanoke area, where I resided for over 30 years.

Bill

[Mike B]

I am 5' 8" and am happy with my 48" benchwork.  I went as high as I could go and still easily reach all my trackwork in the back.  I didn't worry too much about reaching all my mountain scenery since I could use a step stool during construction to reach those areas and wouldn't need to reach them thereafter.

Mike B.

[Trax21]

In my oppinion your bench should be as high as you want it. Mine is between 48" and about 52" but I am 6' I've designed it so I can reach any part of it without trouble. just my two cents

[jrbernier]

Ron,

  This is like asking how big is a dog?  Layouts come in all sizes for many reasons as well.  I am 5' 8" tall, and I built my basic bench work at 45".  The actual lowest track is at 48" and some areas rise to 52" at some towns on the layout.  The width of they areas usually varies from 24" to 32".  Two areas of the layout are over 60" wide as there are curves there.  At least there is nothing to derail back in those areas and they can be reached from under the layout(tunnels).  The 'reach' issue is something to consider.  I use a 12" step stool to assist working on those 32" areas.  Most of the track is with 18" of the front edge, so switching freight trains is really not an issue.

  My previous layout was at 42"(that was what was considered leading edge back in the late 60's).  I think 42" will serve you well.

Jim Bernier

[rolleiman]

 Its me again. Would like an opinion on my proposed benchwork height . I was planning on 42" from the floor . I am 5' 5" tall . Does that sound about right ? I would appreciate any input .            THANKS   RON

In my experience, 2 main things to consider when it comes to bench hieght. First, and foremost, working on the thing. You don't want a layout that's a back breaker to work on. Too low causes me problems (not exactly a thin, in shape person). Consider also getting UNDER it to wire it. Too high leads to having to use a step to work on distant areas. To me this isn't as big a problem as stooping and bending. I can also use the step I sometimes use to reach the top rear of sections as a seat underneath the layout. Second, How do you intend to view and operate the layout? Walk around? Seated (not so popular anymore)? Too low, again, it will look like a distant aireal photo. A taller layout tends to help seperate the scenes.  I've found 48 inches to be about right, no more than 24 inches reach to the furthest track. I'm 5'11" tall. Some say the ideal height is Eye level.. I disagree for some of the reasons stated above but you may want to consider it.

[tomikawaTT]

My main station is planned to be 42" (1067mm) above the floor, which this barrel-shaped 68" tall modeler considers to be an ideal low level.  Track climbs uphill from there, but some hidden staging is up to 4" lower.  I built several earlier layouts to that height.

I have another, less obvious, reason for that height.  1067mm is my prototype's track gauge.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[j610]

 Its me again. Would like an opinion on my proposed benchwork height . I was planning on 42" from the floor . I am 5' 5" tall . Does that sound about right ? I would appreciate any input .            THANKS   RON