Table Height

Ok, there are a few things that need to be considered.

1-Type of layout
Whether you plan an along the wall or middle of the room layout, you will need to be able to reach all parts of it

2-Your focus height.
What level do you want to view the layout. My lower level is at 37" and my upper level sits at 45". I'm 6' feet tall so I can look down towards both levels. You might want to consider different heights if you have children so they can interact as well.

If you have a bookcase, place a train on each shelf for different views.

As I mentioned before, my lower level sits at 37" and from the picture, I'm able to view my entire yard, which 16 tracks across.



This photo shows both level.



Hope this can assist you.

Cesar

Easton,

There is no hard and fast rule. I have kids. Last year we were just off the ground and arranged for kids to interact. This year at 32 for the first level and 40 for the second.

Ted

I'm 6' and 42" is perfect for my around the room layout.

My first level is about 46"' with the second level 6 to 9 inches above that depending on location.

"If you have a bookcase, place a train on each shelf for different views."
Good suggestion.

As my test, I have a couple of freight cars sitting on the fireplace mantel (54"), to see how I like the height after a couple of months. (So far, 54"'s looks good to me.)

Consider head room when working under the layout. The bottom of layout surface should allow you to sit underneath without hunching over.

The lowest section of my layout is 38". The majority is between 42"-48" and the highest will be the coal facility at about 50" at track level.

42"

40", high enough to keep things out of harms way and allow room for working underneath the layout, low enough to get the most out of ones "reach" when working on top. It also puts things right about eye level when running trains in a chair, kind of a neat effect.

My 3' x 20' switching layout's mainline is 50" from the floor. The industry leads are about 1/2 below that. I'm 6' 3" and it's a great height. Very easy to get under it, and really brings all the details to life. Initially I thought it was going to be way too high.....but not at all. People that have seen it, love the height because they really notice all the little details being closer to eye level.

The layout that my dad and I are beginning soon will have 3 different levels. The lowest, most likely, will be 42", middle between 48" & 50", with the upper most point being 56" to 58".

What I have learned very quickly is that you have to take room features into account as well. I have a 4' wide bulkhead that I concealed all the ductwork and other mechanical needs in. This extends about 1' over the layout. The layout is 40" tall. When I stand under the bulkhead and look at the layout it seems too high. When I walk around the other side and I am standing under the 7'6" high ceiling the layout looks just right.

Matt

quote:

Originally posted by Matt15237:
What I have learned very quickly is that you have to take room features into account as well. I have a 4' wide bulkhead that I concealed all the ductwork and other mechanical needs in. This extends about 1' over the layout. The layout is 40" tall. When I stand under the bulkhead and look at the layout it seems too high. When I walk around the other side and I am standing under the 7'6" high ceiling the layout looks just right.

Matt

I don't think its necessarily the look you should be after but accessibility and ability to work on the layout. I find the visual height of trains running and viewing scenery for me personally would be around 5' however with sloped ceilings in my room it would be nearly impossible to do without wasting a lot of time and space.

quote:

Consider head room when working under the layout. The bottom of layout surface should allow you to sit underneath without hunching over

My only one complaint about L girder construction is 42" finished bench height less 4" for joists and a 4" L girder leaves only 36" underneath. Fortunately 95% of layout is accessible from the top.

42", more or less, depending on your own height, physical agility, time expected to be spent working under the layout, and the "audience" you expect to visit the layout or participate in building it.

Personally, I prefer them to be a bit higher...anything that brings to trains closer to what might be considered "pedestrian eye level."

Two levels for me.

45" for the lower and 61" for the upper. You can see pics in Run #255.

Donald

Just finished my benchwork and the height is 42". I would like to have gone a few inches higher but the junction box for the house limits me to 42".

I'm 5'8" and I really liked 48". With this basement I did 48" again, But no matter what I did something was wrong. The layout was too close to the ceiling. Cut 6" inches off all the legs , now all is right with the world. I still prefer 48". Eight foot lumber cut in half.