Well, leave it to me to ask difficult questions here on the board. I have planned a new layout that in one section will be two levels. I wondered if there are any "rules of thumb" that people use, to determine the difference in height between the tracks. I realize it's really dependent on the scenery that will go in that area, and presumably it will be some kind of mountain. Secondly, what are typical heights of the trackage above the base framing? The base framing is qute low right now at like 35-40" high. At this time I can put the overall height of these tracks anywhere. I don't have a way to put the graphic of the plan here on the board, but I could email it to someone willing to take up the challenge of helping me. Thanks for everything. Shaummy
I am not quite sure of your question, but... I will respond anyway....lol. Asking about benchwork layout is like asking which religion should you practise... lots of different answers. I am 5 foot 10 inches and our double decker is at 37 inches and 57 inches respectively. If I could have done it, I would have had them at 38 1/2 inches and 581/2 inches, but I couldn't... window problem. I tested several differing heights between the two levels. In one section in bellows out to over three feet, so I was conscious of a tunnel effect if the two levels were closer together. So part of the height equation is how wide is your benchwork as well. In the end I went with twenty, as it was visually okay, and wasn't that difficult to deal with a helix (or nolix in my case).
Rick, Thanks for the reply. I guess what I'm struggling with is that in just this one area, the lower track and upper track will be near each other on the layout. The tracks do not cross over/under each other so clearance will not be a problem. I guess I'll just have to mock up some subroadbed and see how it presents itself. Thanks Shaummy
