Building new 7' X 12' layout

Sounds exciting!

I made mine such that the main level is about 40-42"  I have some track that is another 6"-7" above that.

I hope this helps

Rich

You might want to raise the height to 48" instead. This will make it easier to work under the layout and gives a better viewing height.

Exception is if the primary audience is kids, in which case 40" is fine -- low enough for them to see and high enough so that the ones likely to grab trains have to be held up by their parents.

Bob

When I redid my layout I lowered it because I though I could see everything better, but I run a tinplate toy train layout not a model railroad.  Minimum height should be such that you can sit comfortably under the layout when you are doing the wiring and maintenance.

Al Galli

Thanks for your help and information I aareciate it.

Bob

Bob, how high is the ceiling?

I have a low ceiling in my basement, 6' 6" and thus I went with a 40" height for the layout. If had an 8' ceiling, I would have gone with Matt's suggestion of the 48" layout height.

Bruce

My ceiling is 7'. I currently have 48" legs, I was thinking to cut them a little lower. However since reading the responses that the higher the better for working underneath I will use them at the 48" length.

Thanks for your response Bruce.

Bob R 

What structural method are you going to use? In other words, what are you supporting you "cookie cutter" decking? If you haven't decided yet, let me make my case for L-girder. Its fun to build, very sturdy, uses light weight, less expensive materials, and for us senior guys, can be built with one person and lots of "quick clamps". The thread I'm writing in this section really explains the whole process in fairly fine details. BTW: mine is about 43" high. This lets me easily roll underneath on my scooter to do all the underneath work. If it gets much higher than this I'd need a higher scooter.

I am going by a book written by Linn H Westcott who shows detail step by step instructions (which I certinally need) to build the L girder that you refer to.

I plan to use 5/8 plywood with 1/2 Homosote top. I plan on a 2% grade made by attaching risers under the plywood. I will cut width of plywood to support single width of Fastrack. 

Thanks for your questions and interest Trainman.

Bob