Layout width

How far can you reach?  You can always stand on a step stool to increase your reach.  I think my layout is 42" off the floor and is mostly 36" wide except for the two return loop which are about 96" with a access hole in the center.

I'm a short guy - 5'9".  My layout is 38" high and 36" is my max workable reach.

I am short and fat, and I have some benchwork that is 24 inches, more that is 30 inches and a peninsula of 48 inches.  With a step stool (10-12 inches), I can reach 30 inches with ease.  Fortunately, I can work the 48 inch peninsula from both sides.

I also designed my track plan to accommodate the width of track.  The 24 and 30 inch shelves do NOT have any 3D structure in front of the wall. (I do have a team track with a loading dock at one place.) All the rest of industries on those shelves is "low relief" or "building flats".  The track is not hidden or blocked by buildings between the aisle and the wall.

My layout height is 53 inches from the floor, which makes the layout about "arm pit high" to me.  If the layout height were 6 inches lower, I could probably reach everything much easier.  But I do like the "nearly" eye level view of my trains.

Are you buying your benchwork? Sievers sells 36" wide sections.

https://www.sieversbenchwork.com/index.html 

I think 36" wide is fine. I have mine at 52" I high which is perfect for me At 6' 2"

Width -- as wide as you can comfortably reach using a small stool.

Height -- When i built mine 20+ years ago everyone said it was too high at 42". If i were to do it over again i would build it at 54" - 56". Why? Trains at eye level look better and as we get older crawling under gets harder to do; just ask my knees.

jackson

Realistically, the width should be no more than 36", but you'd be better served with 30-32" as you can get three 4-foot long pieces from a single sheet of plywood.

As for height, 48-54" is better for viewing trains, but you want to be able to reach things while standing flat on the floor, so armpit height minus 6" should work.

One other reason that "arm pit height" is an advantage is that "duck under" you mentioned. 

When I started the layout, I was around 47...this year I turn 64, and ducking is more of an issue than it was back then.  Even with my Arthritis, I am able to get in without too much discomfort.  I also made a notch in the bench work so that I only have to duck under a 24 inch wide shelf. 

Most of my layout is 24" wide, 11 feet is approx 34" and another 7 feet is 36":

It's 36" high.  I hand-throw all my switches and 5'10" (probably less due to shrinkage) can just reach the 072 switch at the bottom center of the plan.

Take into consideration your sleeve length as well.  Stack some things up to see just how far you're comfortable with reaching over, don't forget you'll have buildings and scenery to navigate around.

My old garage layout was 48" high and I needed a step stool and access hatch to get to all the spots to clean track, not much fun IMO.  It was nice for watching trains cause you can see all the detail, but so is 36" high.

I don't worry about crawling under the layout as much anymore, I try not to use a lot of wiring (no wiring would be great).

I did the layout based on O54 curves at 60" (5 ft.) maximum width.  There are some spots that are tough to access. I added an access hole.  Layout height is 37 1/2" low and 44 1/2" high.
Camera walk around.  Click to access.

I have a small [9x16] attic round-the-wall layout 42' high. I have 36"' width on one side [the Village] and 42" on the Service Yard side[Engine house and 7 various towers--coaling ,etc.]. Th Yard side is a "reach" to the wall but standing on my tool box solves the problem. Reaching the double mainline alongside the Yard tracks is okay. I am 6'-2".

Old 2010 photos below.

At the early stage of building a client's benchwork I mock up three or four 36 to 40 inch deep by 4 foot long pieces of plywood each on various length legs in the range that probably would work.  I then set a loose length of track along the back edge and leave that on site for several days.  They can slide the track around & get used to the various reaches to see which height and depth feel most comfortable.

It's not just a matter of overall height but the long torso/short torso ratio and individual's arm length.  The height of the hip joints adjusted by the + /- effect of arm length set back by the 0 scale belly for a comfortable reach.  The net concern is not damaging scenery with one's stomach.

In my opinion, the only thing that a stool or small step ladder should be used for is scenery.  Anything dealing with operation of the layout should be readily accessible.

Awkard bending, head banging, stooping, crawling or streching gets real old real soon. 

My favority bechwork style is canterlevered off the wall without any legs at all. tt

For Minimum layout height consider how much head clearance you need to sit under the layout for wiring.

Lots of great suggestions, for grandkids and children, 32 wide and 30 high works . Age starting to push buttons and run trains is 6-7.

Just remember kids get taller while old joints get stiffer. 30" is TOO low. Step stools work just fine. i have a lot of youngsters that visit (ages 5 and up) and have several stools around for them to use.

jackson

I sincerely hope you won't mind if I copy this for my Attic layout. I really like way this looks! Very convenient that I also built a 42" section on one side....

Any chance you might have this on RRTrack and would be willing to share?

Gilly

Things I have read recommend 36" as the maximum to have to reach, and a little less is better, but at 6' I would think you could get away with it.  Table height is a very personal decision.  But I think Susan Deats has the most important consideration:  Working underneath.  I'm very glad my layout is 43" high.  As others have said, step stools can be provided for youngsters.

Don't forget to factor in reaching over and around buildings and scenery to that maximum reach distance....

Gilly

Unfortunately I am not computer literate and as a result have nothing descriptive recorded. The track is Gargraves Flex and the switches are Ross. Work on he layout has been rare for over a year due to illness. This is my little "senior citizen's" and final layout [9x16] after dismantling a large layout down the hall. I recycled many components including certain switches.

The layout is in complete disarray currently. I was working on placing structures/fronts in a rear corner in late 2011 when I experienced medical issues. I had removed the towers, etc, so I could work from a raised plywood platform and reach the corner [it is just as I left it--photo]. I fasten my structures with Velcro to enable easy removal/replacement. Hopefully I can resume work this summer. 

The "plan" on the Yard side was to position my modified MTH Car Barn on one end and the big GGD Coaling tower on the other end and use my 4-way Ross among other switches to connect facilities. This was intended to be strictly a Service Yard because there is no room to effectively make up trains, etc, The Yard access track--- reaching diagionally across the Yard emerges from the inner mainline via a curved 072/054 switch and runs under the chutes of the Coal Tower and also serves other towers, ash dump ,etc, and finally curves around to exit via an 072/084 curved switch on the 084 inner main at the other end of the layout.

About the best I can do is give you some Yard measurements such as distance from wall, mainline spacing and so forth. My dual mainline curves are 072/084 and 084/096 and I use a hinged "drop section" to enter the space. The switch motors are Tortoise DC units mounted underneath.

So it'd be ill advised for my table to be 5 foot wide against a wall?  Guess I'll be figuring out how to put an access hatch or two in.

If you want to maximize space and can't reach with the stool.....just cut an access hatch or 2.... we have 3 now.

This hatch is most likely temporary, while we work on the layout. Engine servicing will go over the top once everything behind it is done. 

The hatch on the right will remain to allow access to the roundhouse for installation and any derailments or problems in the back corner of the layout. 

The third access hatch is now to the left of the TT & RH to allow access to the rear and left side of the RH for installation. It will most likely remain and have a couple tracks on it that go to the TT for parking more locomotives. 

Thanks for the help everyone!

Dewey,

Thanks for the reply. I do understand about trying to deal with medical issues. I've been to the Dr more times this year than in the past 15 combined. 

Here's a picture of my train room. The area I'm planning to "copy" is also to the right of the window. From your description, track and curves are exactly what I had in mind.

I have RRTrack, but do not have the Ross/Atlas/Gargraves libraries. From you're two pictures, I believe I can get pretty close to what you've done. If it's OK, I'll post pictures of the service yard area for your comment once I get it into RRTrack.

Hope you're feeling better soon and can get back to your layout. 

Gilly

Gilly

Re: 42" wide Yard.

I don't know if it will help in producing your RR Track software, nevertheless here are some dimensions[and fuzzy photos]. Laying out my Yard tracks focused initially on getting the Coaling Tower placed and locating the three tracks that serve it. The diagonal enterance/exit track is tapered down to Yard [ground] level from the mainline which is elevated on cork roadbed. The Yard tracks are submerged in the dirt to tie top level by applying 3/16" foamcore board over the underlayment. THe Yard ballast is sooty, greasy black in contrast to the mainline stone.

Then I positioned the outer mainline 6" from center rail to the wall and spaced the inner/outer mainline tracks 5" apart, center rail to center rail. At the curves I went back out to 6" on center although on my wide curves[072/084 and 084/096] a Challenger and 80' [20"] passenger car passed with ample clearance at 5" spacing . On the hi-speed mainline crossover there is a 3-1/2" track section inserted to join the two Ross switches at 5" o.c. center rail spacing. All track is Gargraves flex.

The spur track along the outer edge of the layout is 3-1/4" from center rail to the outer face of the black facia trim.

I like your decorative benchwork "skirt".

Sorry i screwed up and duplicated the photos--the trash can cancellation didn't work.

OK Gilly,You got our attention,  more info on the laypout "skirt".  How sturdy, material, source, available sizes, cost?

Sturdy, but not structural. There are actually legs behind it that support the weight of the bench work.

Material, laser cut MDF painted with simulated "stone" paint over a flat primer base color. The laser cutter is the most important element. It wouldn't be impossible to cut it out with a saw, but it would be a real bugger.

It originally was designed to be a 7x11' base.  I adapted it for the current configuration. It is 32" high; which works well with the ceiling height in my attic. 

Cost, "expensive".  Glad I have it, but likely would not duplicate it if I were to start from scratch today.

Adam,

Mianne Benchwork can be ordered in any width you desire.  Stock sizes are in 6" increments starting with 6". For example any of the 30" wide kits can be ordered at 36" on any or all sections of the benchwork and it will still be a stock kit. Call or email if you have any questions

Tim Foley

Mianne Benchwork

info@miannebenchwork.com

Adam,

Glad to see Tim chime in here. I was going, but he is the expert. He is great to work with and has helped me with my bench work. All you need is a screwdriver and maybe a hammer for build the frame work. Call him or go to their site.  

The top of this building opens up so the get to the turntable and other buildings and track in this future area.

The track behind (left side of building) is 072 and 080. So to get to the track for derailments I use this building. Future tracks and buildings will be added on the right side of the building. I have other hatches around the layout, one under a tank farm. and the backside of a tunnel.

Grandson inside the tunnel area. Track inside the tunnel is 072.