Torn On Layout Height
- Thread starter brubakes
- Start date
Larry
Long Winded Old Fart
Mine is 42" high. I'm the same heighth as you & it's real easy to lay track, put in scenery, etc. Also, my boards are only 3ft deep. If they are any deeper than that, you won't be able to reach the back of the layout w/out crawling up on the tops.
Most people make them eye level for better realism. I'm not realistic, so, I did them for more comfortable working conditions.
Larry
Most people make them eye level for better realism. I'm not realistic, so, I did them for more comfortable working conditions.
Larry
lmackattack
old school
im with larry on this one.. I dont know exactly how high mine is but it is about 40-45" I dont like the eye level hight layouts as if you cant see the layout and all its details why even have anything but track up there. IMO its like trying to see the cookie jar on top of the fridge when you were 5 and couldent reach! I also maintain 3' depth to keep the whole layout in reach. the one spot that is 4' is where all the trains will derail!
Trent
Trent
hamltnblue
Active Member
Whatever you decide, Just remember if you plan on using 2 inch foam on top of the benchwork, to calculate it in the final number. just a lesson learned 
Well I'm another one with Larry, PartsM and Trent.
Mine is at 46" as I find that more to my comfort (inclusive of the wiring underneath). I'm 5'-11" and have a pretty good reach. It was 30" wide but on the new one it'll be 36"
If you are going to have big hills type terrain then a 40" or 42" height may be the best height for acess to the top of the hills when doing scenery.
But the first consideration, as the Parts M says
Cheers
Willis
Mine is at 46" as I find that more to my comfort (inclusive of the wiring underneath). I'm 5'-11" and have a pretty good reach. It was 30" wide but on the new one it'll be 36"
If you are going to have big hills type terrain then a 40" or 42" height may be the best height for acess to the top of the hills when doing scenery.
But the first consideration, as the Parts M says
Cheers
Willis
68 Camaro
Member
I placed mine at 50" which is right for me. I do particularly do not like looking down on a layout other wise you feel like a giant. Most model railroad "experts" will say you want a side view of the layout which is nearly at, or slightly above eye level. Since I prefer shelf layouts, everything is happening in the foreground and that is were you concentrate on detailing. However, it has to be comfortable for you.
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Secondhandmodeler
All new now!
My layout is at a height of 50 inches. At a depth of 24 inches I can reach as well as I'd like to. My first layout was waist high. As someone else said, I didn't like looking down on the scene. It was hard to isolate the scenes from each other. It was also a 4x8, so that probably had as much to do with my opinion as anything else. I certainly wouldn't want a layout any higher than what I have now though.
D&J RailRoad
Professor of HO
That was easy. Now ya got me thinking about what height the lowest level of my layout should be. There will be three levels to start with running the length of the basement. I will probably add another two runs at a later date. I want to have 15" from railhead to the next higher railhead on the end loops and the shelves will be no more than 9" wide along the walls, on self supporting, extruded foam of course.
So I'm thinking, if I establish the lowest level at 30" off the floor, the loop at the other end of the basement will be 37.5", the loop above the lowest loop will be 45" off the floor and so forth. The run distance between loops is a little over 70'. I intend for the loop operating surface to be no more than 2' deep with a 46" radius on the outside track. The lowest and highest loop will be a single track loops to turn the train around. The intermediate loops will be double tracked.
So I'm thinking, if I establish the lowest level at 30" off the floor, the loop at the other end of the basement will be 37.5", the loop above the lowest loop will be 45" off the floor and so forth. The run distance between loops is a little over 70'. I intend for the loop operating surface to be no more than 2' deep with a 46" radius on the outside track. The lowest and highest loop will be a single track loops to turn the train around. The intermediate loops will be double tracked.
