rtr12 posted:I use a mechanic's stool to get under my layout. It's the only way I can do it and be able to get back out and stand up afterward. Harbor Freight has a couple of different ones and I use the shortest one they have. It's the rectangular one, the round one is a little higher. Unless they have gotten some new ones in the last 3-4 years. If you can get something like that and make your benchwork high enough so you can fit fairly comfortably while on the stool I think you will be able to get under there and work fairly well and certainly be able to get to the access hatches without much trouble.
I'm 5'-9" and my benchwork is 40" to the top. The cross pieces are about 3-1/2"-4" or so and that leaves me roughly 36" of clearance. That's a little low, I would go about 3"-4" higher if I had it to do over, but as long as I remember to duck a little for the cross braces it isn't too bad. If you haven't been under there for a while the first encounter with a cross brace usually provides incentive to duck from then on.
Also, I was worried about the 40" height as my grandson was only about 6 or 7 when I got going on my layout. He could reach the items on the outer parts of the layout, but anything a little ways in on the layout was hard for him to get to. I got him a couple of step stools, also at Harbor Freight, and he used those when he wanted to get to something a little further in on the layout. He just moves them around where he wants them and has never complained. He's taller now and doesn't use the stools so much any more, only once in a while now.
Just some more things to consider or think about here.
I have thought I would like benchwork high, not as high as the 50" I had on my last HO layout, but higher than 40" We don't have any grandchildren yet, but I think I will find a good height for me and provide step stools if we have grandchildren or any other kids see it. Thank you very much for your experience.
