Input on height between levels

[lock4244]

Now that I'm getting closer to benchwork construction, a question arises as to what's a good height between levels on a double level layout? Intention is to build linear, and the deepest the lower level will be is around 30", however 18 to 24" will be the norm.

[dem34]

Depends on what your doing, but from experience anything less than a foot in unusable for anything more complicated than storage.
Think most do around 2-3 foot.

[MDW]

16” - 18” between decks is more than enough.   I think I’m using something closer to 15” clear and that’s perfectly OK.   Be careful with that 30” deep area - make sure the upper deck is considerably skinnier or you’ll never be able to easily access the back.....

Good luck!

[spr1955]

16” - 18” between decks is more than enough.   I think I’m using something closer to 15” clear and that’s perfectly OK.   Be careful with that 30” deep area - make sure the upper deck is considerably skinnier or you’ll never be able to easily access the back.....

Good luck!

I agree,  15 to 18" is good for the second level.  I did a lot of testing for a logging line and this is what came out of it.

[lock4244]

Thanks for the advice. I was originally thinking maybe a 12" minimum was doable, and it is probably to a depth of around 12", but using 15-18" as a rage seems to work in my case.

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Above is the space I have to work with. With respect to the 30" deep area, the 4' x 9' obstruction necessitates a deep area on the lower level to it's righthand side. This on the one hand gives me a convenient location to place the automobile assembly plant that will be the general focus of operations on the layout (inspiration is GM's once gargantuan three in one assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario - as late as the 00's the three lines could crank out 3000 cars and trucks a day), however it presents some challenge with the upper level. A sweeping S curve is needed, and I'm trying to keep a broad radius given the number of 86' and 89' cars I'll be running. I should note that my intention has always been to model both CN and CP mainlines side by side on at least half of the layout, further complicating things from a design standpoint.

The left hand side isn't an issue as the main will run straight to the 13' wall and turn to reverse direction and run on the bottom wall towards the next PITA... the door obstacle. The 13' x 4' space to the left of the 4' x 9' obstruction will be used for a spur up into the city to serve a few local customers and an auto parts plant (based one the actual Oshawa Rwy that CN abandoned around 1998... my era is 87-89).

[BCR 570]

This goes hand in hand with your intended deck levels, and as others have mentioned, the depth of the benchwork.  I experimented with mock-ups before commencing construction.

The space between decks is also determined by the depth of your upper deck fascia (e.g. how far down it extends to conceal switch machines, etc.)

Another thing to keep in mind is that you have any river crossings scheduled for the upper deck, then it will have to drop down at that location accordingly.

For reference my lower deck is at 43" and ranges in depth from 12" to 24".  The upper deck is at 58'-6" and is 12"-18" wide.  The upper deck fascia is 3" deep so the space between decks is about 12".  In practice this has not been an issue.

There is one spot on the upper deck where I have a river crossing and at this point the fascia extends down 6", resulting in a deck separation of about 9 1/2".  Again, not a huge issue.


Tim

[lock4244]

@BCR 570

I plan to limit the upper level to 12"-15" deep as standard on the straight sections. I figure a narrower upper will improve access to the lower level yet be sufficient for representing the mainlines running through open country and small towns. Hadn't given thought to waterways to be honest, but it's definitely something to bear in mind, thanks for pointing that out.

There's a part of me that wonders if I'll actually build a second level... I've a fair amount of space to fill on one level, let alone two. But for now that's the plan.

[CRR Chase]

I have a large 3 level layout. it is made up of 12" wide shelves with 11" between levels. seems to be enough room. it is still under construction. N scale

[Steveruger45]

Am interested in this discussion due to the fact I have moved and get a 10 x 10 foot spare bedroom to start a new layout in.

What are we talking about wrt height between levels?
Is it railhead to railhead or railhead to bottom of next level above benchwork?

[bbussey]

I have 12” between the main level and hidden reverse loop level and 18 between the main and second level, measured rail top to rail top.

[John]

Spend $21 on this  .. I did - it helps a lot

https://www.amazon.com/Multideck-Design-Model-Railroadsd-Doubling/dp/1627008705

[MichaelWinicki]

About 14" from top of the rail in the bottom deck to the top of the rail in the top deck.

Has been that way for 15 years now and if I were to do another dual-deck layout, I would continue with the same.

[lock4244]

About 14" from top of the rail in the bottom deck to the top of the rail in the top deck.

Has been that way for 15 years now and if I were to do another dual-deck layout, I would continue with the same.

That looks like the upper doesn't impede on the lower level at all. How wide is the upper level?

[lock4244]

Spend $21 on this  .. I did - it helps a lot

https://www.amazon.com/Multideck-Design-Model-Railroadsd-Doubling/dp/1627008705

Does it detail construction and support for the upper level?

[davefoxx]

Does it detail construction and support for the upper level?

According to the book description on Amazon, yes:

Tony Koester is back with his newest book featuring multi-deck layouts, including his own layout. Highlight techniques and materials along with photos of examples of two- and three- deck layouts, this will be a go-to book for anyone designing a new layout or looking to rebuild or modify an existing layout. Expand the useable space in a layout room with this highly anticipated book covering: • The many types of multi-level layouts.• How to design for small areas, large basements, and other spaces.• Important design factors such as shelf width, acceptable grades, and trackwork considerations.• Construction techniques.• Layout lighting and control systems. (Emphasis added.)