Hear I am again considering the height of my N train layout. Considerations Viewing from a seated position 46" is just about perfect for me. Standing I seem to favor something in the 58-62" range. So simple do I want to stand or sit? I really don't know the answer to that. I suppose it depends on my mood. So Sitting Height: Pro's: I can sit, lazy watching, relaxing switching, easier height to work at easier and shorter step stools for kids Con's : standing visitors have bad view. lower height, more problems with things below (see Pros for standing). Standing Height: Pro's: Well better standing viewing. Can go above work desk, hobby desk, and aquarium Con's Not as kid friendly. So, it sure seems that the lower height appears to be better in my current case. Any other wise words from the experienced?
Well I can't say I am experienced or wise, but this is what I have found on my layout so far. I have my the majority of my track set to be run at 52". My benchwork is 18" at the deepest, with a 30" reach to the furthest corner. I am 6'1 with a good wingspan. Personally, I wouldn't want to go any higher, or I just wouldn't enjoy working on it. It is a little high to view from a regular chair, but I have been looking for a bar stool with a back that brings me up a little higher. From a standing position it doesn't look bad either. You will likely get all sorts of opinions, but it really depends on what feels good for you. I would suggest roughing up something with cardboard and just try standing, sitting, reaching, etc. and see what is comfortable. There really is no right or wrong answer, it just have to work for you.
I have to agree. Height depends on the modelers pros and cons. My layout is in a converted travel trailer. Its at 32" height...just worked out that way with the front and rear shelves that cant be removed...and the window heights. I find sitting on a stool its all "just right". Working on it seems ok too...although...with leaning over for long periods does put a kink in the back. HOWEVER...the grandkids LOVE IT !! They can stand in the aisle and see EVERYTHING. So yea....height of benchwork is a personal preference...no right or wrong answer :thumbs_up::tb-nerd: .
Is your layout built for multiple operators? Or just yourself? Do you need to move around in order to operate? If so, standing may be better. If the layout seems to high for viewing by youths, try using a step which they can stand upon. It can be rolled or slide under the layout when not in use. Will these youngsters be visitors or your offspring? So we can get an idea of how often they'd be viewing or operating with you. Boxcab E50
Well of course there is no right or wrong, hence the "opinions sought". Opinions are certainly not right if they are not my own. BoxCabe - Raises a good point I hadn't considered at this point which is how much I need to move around to operate the layout. I will have to weight that question and its impact. Thanks!. In regards to the other question, the yut's (My cousin Vinny accent) are 2.5 and 5 and I claim them both as dependents on my tax form. Most days I tell my wife they are hers. :tb-wink: Right now on the temporary layout, they watch trains 2x a day 5 days a week for 2 weeks straight, then loose interest for about a week. Then we do it again. I am really thinking of setting up my O scale childhood Toy train set somewhere nearby to entertain them more easily.
Sitting height-- Make adults sit in a chair with wheels--will encourage conversation with a comfortable chair. Make kids sit too--less fingers to patrol. Leaves standing height for future build with the possibility of increased focus on switching and to rotate trains away from the sitting view.
Make kids sit in a room full of trains? Good luck with that. IMHO, it sounds like a recipe for turning them off to the hobby in the future. Also IMHO, layout height for standing is the better option, especially when you need to move fast to prevent a <insert potential disaster here>. If it's too tall for the kids, after all, there's always the chair or stool solution. Having bench work at desk height (28"~30" - just above the knees in my case), would make me feel more like the Jolly Green Giant, rather than Charlie Choo-Choo. If you're height challenged, then 40" might be a good compromise, and that's usually still below eye-level when sitting. Or, simply build the bench work so that it can be adjusted later (drilled bolt holes in the leg studs). You might need some helping hands for that, however.
I don't have a lot of space so I built my layout on casters to easily move it, and I built it 52" high(3'x6' table). I bought an adjustable Kobalt work stool from Lowe's for about $65 and I can get the eye level that I like with it.
I appreciate all the replies. I have four outdoor bar stool swivel chairs without a table. That should do the trick for the higher height if need be. Sometimes just helps to think aloud and hear some bounce back Ideas. More are welcome if others have an opinion they would like to spout off with.
Seems to me that you have not decided which you will be doing more of: standing or sitting. Just kidding. For the kids, the stools will work until they grow (worked in my case). One question: How big a layout are we talkin'? A table? A room? I find that with my larger layout, most people are standing when viewing, photographing, or operating. Standing also makes it easier when bodies are navigating the room. When I get tired, its usually time to go elsewhere and relax. The golden rule applies, keep the layout at armpit height. You just need to decide at what height your armpits will be most of the time.
Holy crap batman!! Now there is a 'golden rule' for layout height ?? :tb-wacky: Would someone PLEASE post the url that lists all these 'golden rules' ? :tb-wacky: I will never get my layout done at this rate !!:tb-wacky: And please dont give me anymore NMRA BS...thnxs LOL:tb-biggrin: *Wait....DO tell me its on the NMRA website...I need another good laugh this morning !! .
You are the decider Decide if you like viewing sitting down or standing most. Unless you are building the model as a public exhibition then you will likely be the one who spends the most time with the layout. If others viewing pleasure is important make a step bench to an average difference in height. Or if you have someone in mind (a particular viewer) custom build a step bench. "Standing I seem to favor something in the 58-62" range." Ofcoarse that would be lower in a sitting postion. However you have suggested a 4 inch tolerance. That is assuming you are talking about viewing the trains. The height or grade of the track might stay with in 4 inch viewing window. No matter what anyone says you are the decider. What ever you decide on I hope you enjoy the journey.
I'm just starting out, but my track will be about 53-54", and I'm 5'9". I find I like standing while running trains and also at the workbench. -MM
Most people operate standing and prefer the track close to eye level for a more realistic viewpoint. Having run both high and low layouts, I'm one of the oddballs who likes a bird's-eye view, so I went with a low 40" base track height. Maybe I'll regret it some day, but it's definitely easier to work on the layout at 40" than at 50" or higher. Another thought: if you build a wall-mounted shelf layout, it might be possible to adjust the height after building. See the Sept./Oct. 2010 issue of N Scale Railroading.
For me I like my layout about neck high while seated which makes around 50-52" from the floor.I tried eye level while seated once but,didn't get the desired effects I was looking for.
Ya, many is the time I have posted looking for answers and received quite a few excellent suggestions which generated just the right thought / solution in my head. I'd go with the chorus suggesting you make it comfortable for you personally. Other folks will adjust or you can find additional stools for them to stand / sit on.
Well it is about half constructed. The underside is 52", the top/deck is at 55". Foam will put it at 55.5" or 57", I am still debating this. Final layout will help dictate. My eyeballs are 67.5" so I still look down onto it a fair bit.and it is still an easy reach over. If I sit in the outdoor bar stools (moved inside naturally) the track is just about exactly at eye level. Now I just need to build a really good roll away safe, viewing stand for my 33" tall kid. Oh well, maybe more progess later, work is a calling my name.
Well, I don't know that this is so much a golden rule as it is an appeal to the reality of the universe. If you look at your layout from essentially eye height, then it will look the most like real railroading as is possible. Unless you regularly chase trains from a helicopter. So hence, if you want the model to feel as real as possible, then you raise it up that high. So it's not so much a rule as a "if you desire X, this is what you do." I will say this, I've built my own layouts and I've visited many a layout and I agree with the general notion that a layout looks best when it's 50" or higher for standing height. If nothing else, it covers a multitude of sins like sharp radii and shallow scenes. Of course, it's not an NMRA law that it be so, it's just an observation based on years upon years of people building model railroads.
The top of my layout is about 42" high. The underside is about 38". I chose these dimensions because for me building the layout is easier if I can sit on the floor and work on undeneath wiring without having to fit a stool in underneath me and without having to reach too high to work comfortably. My arms get tired after working with them above my head for long. But then I'm getting old. When standing I can have the layout far enough below me to work comfortably on track, scenery, etc. I can sit on a chair or stool to view trains at eye level. I have a U shaped layout (basically double tracked dogbone) and I decided to leave enough aisle space for operating from a wheelchair, should it come to that. I figure if I plan for it, it won't be necessary. The adjustable legs idea is a good one. I settled on what I decribed above, but I did put adjustable tips on the bottoms of the legs, so that I could keep the layout level as I move it out and back from the walls.
