BENCHWORK HEIGHT

[NW Modeling List]

It depends on how you run your railroad, and where it is located, and your agility.
I can tell you what I had and how it worked for me.

My last layout was a double decked, shelf layout at 40 inches and 54 inches from floor.  I liked the upped deck the most for visual appeal.  The trains ran past at close enough to eye level that they look more impressive.  I had stools with rollers on a concrete floor and usually sat and wheeled around when running trains on the lower level, to get a similar effect.  Trains don't look all that good from a "helicopter's view".

A tall layout is not optimal for switching behind cars already parked on a track (such as a busy industry or yard), and anything higher than lower chest level may be a bit uncomfortable (any time you have to raise your arms above your shoulders).  Switching a coal siding or one track industry is no problem at higher levels, so long as there is not another train in front of the one you are trying to manipulate with your hands (uncouple, etc...)

My layout was located in my basement and the steps came down inside the layout, which went around the walls, which meant no duck-under. I would not have liked crawling under my layout to enter the room.  But perhaps you have a room/layout plan that does not need a duck under.

For construction of the upper level, I did use a stool or a couple dining chairs placed side by side.  But that was not really uncomfortable for me.  The stools I used are the little plastic ones they sell eveywhere, so you can move them around with your foot easily, and they are only a foot high.  My shelves were 18 inches wide at most, and sometimes less than a foot, with the exception of the corners, so scenery went up quickly and was not hard to reach.


I didn't intentionally plan it this way, but my layout operated as a double tracked mainline and a large classification yard on the lower level, while the upper level was a branch line with 3 coal mines and a couple stations tops and team tracks. (in other words lightly traveled).  A helix connected the 2 levels.  This seemed to provide a good balance of heavy operation on the lower level which was easy to reach, and smaller trains on the upper level which was the most enjoyable to watch.  I was able to operate 100+ car coal drags on the lower level, with helpers on the rear that cut off and returned on the other mainline.  I don't think this would have been nearly as easy up high.

To summarize:
Higher levels should be smaller trains, less switching, more narrow layout. But they look great, and standing up while operating is more comfortable for me.  Also, if you need a duck under, I would rather it be at shoulder height, that hip height.  You can always put a chair on casters at the duck under, too.  

Lower levels are better for longer trains, big yards, intense switching, and wider layouts. I would suggest as high as possible, but a max of somewhere around 46 inches with this type of layout. I am 6' 4". Your mileage may vary.

Now show us the layout plan, so we can live vicariously through you.  It is always exciting to start a new layout.

Mike Rector


________________________________
From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
To: NW Modeling <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2009 7:09:28 AM
Subject: BENCHWORK HEIGHT

 Hello All
 
A topic sure to get a varied response (!); what do y'all feel is the optimal height for benchwork? Kalmbach book says 38".  Specific application is a (mostly) shelf layout.  Ceiling height is a bit limited, about 6'6" (remodeled basement).
 
Any thoughts welcome!

Ed Svitil


      
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