Height of a platform

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

What is the correct height of a platform with a car sitting on Atlas or Lionel fast tracks?

Ted,

On the scale-sized MTH New York Central #161523 boxcar in the pictures, the floor is exactly one inch above the top of the rails - 4 feet full scale. I hope things are OK for you in Rhode Island.

MELGAR

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

What is the correct height of a platform with a car sitting on Atlas or Lionel fast tracks?

Thanks in advance for your help'...

I would imagine that would vary based on the track and roadbed.

Roughly level with the bottom of a boxcar door with the train on the track would be the unit of measure I'd choose. But like John said, depending on the building foundation and the height of the track, its not an exact number.

@MELGAR posted:

Ted,

On the scale-sized MTH New York Central #161523 boxcar in the pictures, the floor is exactly one inch above the top of the rails - 4 feet full scale. I hope things are OK for you in Rhode Island.

MELGAR

Thanks Mel'  all is good here.  My new layout room will be ready in late OCT.  I will be building the new layout over the winter.  Been a long process.  Most platforms in the US are 48 inches high. Not sure if that includes track and roadbed, I think it would. So in O Scale it would be 1.92 inches.  Roughly 2 inches.  Still seems a little short to me. That's why I asked the question.  I did mention sitting on Atlas or Lionel Fast Track..

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I would imagine that would vary based on the track and roadbed.

Atlas or Lionel fast tracks? 1/4 inch roadbed'....

The proper way to specify platform height is from the top of the rail to the car floor. If ground level is below the top of the rail (as it usually is), the platform height above ground level must also include the distance between ground level and the top of the rail. So, it's 4 feet plus the distance from ground level to the top of the rail...

MELGAR

I'm reminded of the reply the notoriously tall and lanky Abraham Lincoln allegedly had to a reporter's trolling question about "how long should a man's legs be?", which was, "Long enough to reach the ground."

As most have already said, AFAIK there's no standard other than making the platform tall enough to match the height of a box car floor (or the bottom of a passenger car exit), given all the possible the variations of track, roadbed and landscaping. As long as it looks plausible, it'll do just fine IMHO.

Quarter Gauger 48, my layout platform is 48 to 50 inches high but I'm surprised that most layouts in US are that high as you say in your above post.

Arnold, I think he is referring to a loading platform, like a dock for boxcars.

Thanks to all for the replies'..

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

What is the correct height of a platform with a car sitting on Atlas or Lionel fast tracks?

Thanks in advance for your help'...

Since this is in the Subway/Transit forum, I assume you want passenger car references.    I took my measurements from the top of the railhead that way it does not matter what type of track or base you have.   I did roughly 3/4" height above the railhead.

Hope this helps.
Ron

Thanks Ron, Good measurement'.  Excellent subway layout you have there'.. Nice pics'...