Skip to main content

I am working on an 027 layout for my grandson and I to enjoy. Currently it is sitting on sawhorses, but I want to put legs on it, with casters, so it can be rolled into a corner of the garage when not in use.

 I am trying to decide what the optimum height above the floor would be. My grandson, (6 years old), can stand on a stepstool until he gets taller, and I do not want  a sore back with too much bending, or have reach issues, as I construct it. It is 5' wide, so farthest reach is 2.5'.

Based on your experiences, what table height do you recommend?

Thanks for the input.

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I liked 48" high for just myself.  When considering this layout build, I wanted to make it accessible for grandchildren, though we don't have any yet.  I finally decided on 44" for the lowest track and 49" for the highest.  They can use stools, or I'll make wooden platforms for them to stand on, since they grow so fast anyway.  Who knows, it may end up just being me alone using it anyway.

How tall you are would seem to be a large factor of how much bending you will need to do and how sore your back might get....

5', 6'6", other???

Personally I go for 42" now, and I'm right about 6' tall. (though I do not have kids I was trying to build it for - and I am only approaching middle age (40s), so not too worried about bending/reaching yet).  My dad used to go with 36", which was fine as I was growing up, but I was older by the time I was spending significant time on my own layout (HO at the time, but shouldn't affect the goal much).

-Dave

I am 5 feet 7 inches tall and all my indoor layouts have been 48 inches high.

I built a large portable layout for a show once that was 36 inches high so kids could see it.

I have nine grandchildren and if they want to look at the layout they stand on these otherwise I give them a box of figures and they play under the layout (kids have great imaginations they don't need a fully detailed layout to have fun) or with this I built it myself 10 years ago which is 16 inches high. Roo.

 

DSC00872DSC00873

Attachments

Images (2)
  • DSC00872
  • DSC00873

I agree on the 48" height. From a top perspective, It is a view of the trains coming at you, hence a more realistic view.  Lower is like a Jolly Green Giant view where you overlook the operation.  On the bottom perspective, and for your smaller layout I am not sure that it is an overriding factor, is you will be spending a great deal of time under the layout.  At 48" you can comfortably sit on a stool (Preferably one with casters) and do your wiring.

Loose-Caboose posted:

I agree on the 48" height. From a top perspective, It is a view of the trains coming at you, hence a more realistic view.  Lower is like a Jolly Green Giant view where you overlook the operation.  On the bottom perspective, and for your smaller layout I am not sure that it is an overriding factor, is you will be spending a great deal of time under the layout.  At 48" you can comfortably sit on a stool (Preferably one with casters) and do your wiring.

That point brings up the question if the layout is just for trains, or also maybe accessories.

The optimal height may depend on what you are trying to see during layout operations.

I personally feel the "Jolly Green Giant" view can be preferable, particularly if you are trying to see a fair number of operating accessories and not just the trains going by.

-Dave

I built mine at 42", but then raised the floor 12" in the aisles, for a net of 30" to view, but 42" to work underneath. I use a rolling office chair for much of my topside work, and just sit on the floor down below.

IMG_8193

If I can't reach from the seated position, 30" is easy to lean over.

IMG_8190

I also have an upper deck at 72" off the concrete, but only 60" off the raised aisle. A step stool or a ladder are used depending on how far back I need to reach.

IMG_8115

Attachments

Images (3)
  • IMG_8193
  • IMG_8190
  • IMG_8115

Thanks for all the great replies. Currently, as mentioned, my layout is sitting on temporary sawhorses while under construction. The top is at 41" on those. I am having trouble reaching in the 2 1/2' to the middle, for laying track etc., without standing on a step stool. Since reach is a problem already, and I am going to have several operating accessories toward the middle of the layout, I am going to go lower. I just did a mockup with some leftover plywood, set at 36". I believe that is what I am going to use. It was much easier to reach 2 1/2' across the table, and this height does not require much bending over. So, got to go get the saw and get to work.

Jeff

Add Reply

Post
The Track Planning and Layout Design Forum is sponsored by

AN OGR FORUM CHARTER SPONSOR

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×