Separation between layout levels

[milw156]

I am considering a 2 level layout in N scale running along the walls of part of my basement. the shelf sections would be 18-24 inches wide with one of the levels being essentially flat, and the other having terrain +/- 1.5 inches relative to top of rail and being connected by a helix. The layout would be planned for both operations, as well as train watching, with the upper level at about 59-60 inches above floor. Upper an lower level staging most likely in ajoining room. What is the minimum separation you folks would recommend between the top of rail on lower level, and bottom of the bench work for the upper level? I had been thinking about 12-14 inches to allow reach in for uncoupling, but I have not operated on a multi deck layout in a long time, and this is just an assumption. Tallest structure on lower level is likely to be a Walthers ADM elevator.
 Thanks in advance,
Rick

[MichaelWinicki]

On the Kinzua Sub of the Penn Central...

The lower deck is between 18" and 24" wide.

The upper deck is 12" wide.

The lower deck is 48" high.

The upper deck is 62" high.


Overall I'm pleased with it.  I did a lot of testing of both deck heights and the distance between the decks based on the lighting in the room.

With a multi-deck layout you aren't likely to have both decks at the perfect height.  Either one is going to be too low or the other too high (unless you have a "mushroom" design which is another topic all together).

I'm on the tall side, 6'3" so the upper deck is set a little higher.

As far as the 14" in separation between decks... Between scenery and buildings, access needs for switching on the bottom deck,  the lighting in the room, the narrow fascia on the top deck–the 14" separation between decks was a very good choice for my situation.  For someone else the separation needed could be different.

[BCR 570]

A very good question and you are wise to solicit experience from others before building.

My layout has two decks set at 42" and 58" above the floor, so a 16" space between.  The lower deck varies from 12" to 24" wide and the upper deck varies from 6" to 18" wide.  I also experimented with heights prior to building.  The benchwork has been complete for several years now, and as tracklaying has progressed and trains are running, I can share the following with you:

Lower and upper deck height and the distance between them are related to the width or depth of the decks.  A deeper lower deck requires more separation from the upper deck to get in there and work.  A deeper upper deck has to be lower in height for access.

I set my upper deck at 58" because that was a comfortable viewing angle, and it was about the maximum height for reaching in to access cars for uncoupling, rerailing, etc. on an 18" wide shelf.

I then set the lower deck at 42" because this was a comfortable viewing angle when seated on a stool, and was as low as I was prepared to go.  I believe that N Scale trains in particular benefit from higher layout heights.

The separation of 16" has generally worked well.  I have had challenges getting in under the yard at Dawson Creek and turning upside down to do the wiring, but that is a temporary challenge.

keep in mind that any bridges or canyon on the upper deck will intrude down into your deck separation.  i have this in one location which brings the deck separation down to 9.5", but it works because the decks are only 12" wide at that point.

Photos at my website.


Tim

[nkalanaga]

If you have room in your aisles, an adjustable roll-around office chair might work for the lower level.  Set it as high as comfortable, then set the layout height to fit that.  The upper level can then be at a comfortable height for standing, with space between. 

I had a double-deck layout in our last house, in my bedroom, partly over the bed.  It was designed as a single level, then the upper was added.  I had a step stool to stand on to operate it, except the part over the bed, where I had to stand on the bed.  Not convenient, but it worked, except on rare occasions when I hit my head sitting up too fast in bed.

The biggest inconvenience was no room for a helix, or long grade, or anything else, between the levels.  So I installed a barge slip on both levels and carried the train up and down.  Used different locos for the two levels, and it worked.  Looked a little out of place in central Montana, but I justified it by blaming an earthquake, landslide, and blocked river.  The barge was "temporary", to "bypass the flooded track".  Whatever works...

If anyone finds the story far-fetched, here's the inspiration:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_Lake
Yes, I've been there.

[bdennis]

Rick,
I'm building a new layout now that is multi level. - http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/

I work in millimetres so have done the conversion..
My lower staging is at 1200mm (47 inches) This is only seen at 1 place where all the turnouts are.
The main deck is at 1300mm (51 inches). This is along the main town, a branch line town and one of the other main line towns.
The next level is at 1400mm (55 inches). This is the 4th town on the main deck in the middle peninsula.
Then I have a 3 turn helix that raises up to 1600mm (61 inches). The top deck has 1 passing siding on it and is mainly to watch trains traverse around the outside wall of the room.
Then the top staging is at 1690mm (66 inches). This is only for the top staging.
Im 6ft tall and the top staging is at eye height.

At the top staging I plan to have a movable step for shorter operators and also repeater LED's on the fascia to show status of turnouts etc.

The layout is operated by walking around and following the train and will have a CATS JMRI panel. There will be no seats in the layout room.

The separation from the track on the lower deck to the underside of the structure for the upper deck is 240mm (9.5 inches).
The separation from track on the lower level to the top level is 320mm (12.5 inches)
The lower decks are all 300mm wide (12 inches) and the upper deck is 200mm wide (7.87 inches).

I will be placing a LED strip under the outer edge of the upper deck to get light on the lower level.

The ruling grade is 2%. All track is Atlas code 55.