Optimum height for layouts at exibitions

[Tim Hale]

Hi,

At the moment, just about to cut the wood for a small functional diorama, it will be both a home and away layout.

Just wondering if the standard 48" operating height is really necessary for my comfort (and safety) as I am no longer capable of standing for anything more than a few minutes. I notice that in the 'salon' environment of the more adult events, many of the micro exhibits utilise the venues trestle tables whilst both the operator and public are encouraged to take a pew and chat.

Otherwise, it is as case of sitting on a high stool, which fills me with trepidation.

Link to the ongoing conversation

Any thoughts?

Tim

 

[timbowales]

My personal take is that you have to put your personal comfort and safety first. This is not "paid" employment so you have to be safe and comfortable, for however many hours that you will be "performing" for the punters.
Just my sixpennyworth

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

As noted above - personal safety, health and comfort first.

Added to which the 'salon' environment removes the rugby scrums from the front of the layout. It also means you can take your own comfortable folding chair if necessary.

I used to push the layout stand/table stand back to create the 'salon' as my personal preference is to operate layouts from the front anyway. I find this encourages engagement by making the operator more approachable to the viewers.

 

[timbowales]

Another advantage of "from the front" arrangements is that it is the same set-up home and away

 

[Alan]

A bar type stool to have the occasional sit down, perhaps.

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Personal comfort and preference etc. aside some consideration should be made as to how you are portraying the scene on a layout.
I really don't like the helicopter view where all you see are the roofs of both stock and buildings, certainly does not hold my attention at an exhibition, where as layouts at some height where the viewer has a more natural view point are much more appealing.
Anything from 4'-0" upwards looks good to me but probably not good for kiddies and people in wheelchairs, so what to suggest ?.

My own home layout will be set at 4'-6" ground level so that you look into the scene, add any height with buildings and viaducts then it gets even more realistic to me, but that's a personal preference.

Col.

 

[Mike W]

My Dad's permanent layout at home happened to be 4ft 8.5in above floor level and we found that ideal. But for exhibitions where there may be families I think you should reduce that.
Mike

 

[NHY 581]

My layoutsxare designed to look into so for this reason and for my own comfort, the track level is 54 inches. I appreciate this inevitably prevents some visitors from viewing the layout but from a personal comfort point of view when standing for a number of hours operating, this suits me best. I augment this with a tall IKEA stool to take a break on when there are no viewers which is something I've only just started doing and is worth the effort.

Rob

 

[CoVianna]

Being a “Ricest” I followed Iain’s advice about layout heights on my previous cameo type Layout but in practice it was too high. So I did a bit of Googling about workbench heights and in the results this was thrown up. Elbow height is just a bit too low for me so I added a few inches. The result? My ideal for sitting (on an height adjustable office type chair) and standing is 46 inches or 2/3rds my body height.

 

[Tim Hale]

Odd that the demographic of exhibitors seems to be increasing and yet any consideration for the comfort and safety of exhibitors is of little or no concern to others. Sitting and chatting is more conducive to actual engagement ‘tween operator and punter, it merely requires a modicum of patience and manners, both in short supply at most exhibitions.

Tim

 

[Mike Walker]

Helland Wharf is set 3' off the ground which many might say is too low but I've received several complimentary remarks at exhibitions from wheelchair or mobility scooter users who appreciate it being at a level they can see. Likewise, mid-size children - those in the 10-13 age group can see it without resorting to 'step-ups' or similar. As for standing or sitting, for me, that's not an issue as I never seem to get a chance to sit down!

At the end of the day, I suspect this is one of those subjects over which we all have our own view. As they say: you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.

 

[Tim Humphreys ex Mudhen]

Tim

Speaking as someone who is 6' 1" tall I get terrible back ache from bending down to look at low layouts so something around 4' 6" is good for me. A low layout with chairs might be appealing but how long would the wait be to get seat.

I don't think that there is answer that suits us all so go with what suits you,

all the best

Tim

 

[Bob Essex]

I started out with my home based layouts at around desktop height, 28-30", increased it to 38", and have now reverted back. With large layouts you do need to move around a bit so standing up is neccessary and a low height isn't much fun, but when smaller/shorter ones are involved being able to sit down using a low stool is a big advantage, and especially when into your '70's.... It also enables you to reach over to work on the layout without causing damage. But then I am as I was once told, also vertically challenged height wise. Using separate legs that the layout just sit onto, which is my method, would allow the making of different sets at differing heights depending on whether it's for home use or exhibiting.

Bob

 

[76043]

My exhibition layout Dublingham, is at the perfect height for someone in a wheelchair, it's also good for older kids. It's rubbish for tiny kids and adults.

I have tried putting chairs out front, but most average males use them to lean on, whilst average females take a well deserved sit down.

I found there is no optimum height, although fixing my layout to an electric rising dog grooming table could result in a layout that adjusts to the viewer...

Tony

 

[Joe's Garage]

Rule no.1 Tim, I suggest as many have said there is no right or wrong answer. When I went to shows and I wanted a closer look, I would crouch on floor to get an eye level view but was also appreciative of the helicopter view to get a feel for the layout.
It is your layout.
All the best
Julian

 

[Matt.S.]

My ideal height at 6'10 is somewhat higher than most.

I've recently seen mini trestles on tables bringing layouts up to seated eye level/low standing level which seems like a good compromise.

 

[Ian N]

When you build a layout for your own enjoyment/satisfaction/health, then the ideal height is that which suits you. There is no optimum height - see later!
At an exhibition you'll probably be more intensely 'tied' to the layout for significantly longer than ever at home, than either during the build or operating/play sessions. If you're not comfortable, you're less likely to enjoy the exhibition experience.

For me, Princes St being @48" to top of track bed provided a generally ideal height to work at, a layout where I look into the scene, and provides sufficient clearance to work reasonably comfortably underneath when necessary. It must be said that aligning track in the middle of 4' wide baseboards while balanced on a low stool, does promote new skill learning!
If starting now, several years later, would I choose a different height? Probably not. Definitely not a significant difference of more than 3".

Presumably, if an invite to exhibit is received, the Exhibition Manager, or a trusted colleague, will have seen the layout. That you've been invited, should be taken that your layout meets the Exhibition spec for "optimum height". As such, I would expect them to be willing to clarify your inclusion in the exhibition with any unhappy customer.

Of course, for anyone intending to build a purely exhibition layout, that is an entirely different can of worms that I, for one, wouldn't want to open.

cheers

 

[jcm@gwr]

My ideal height at 6'10 is somewhat higher than most

Really! How tall are you?

 

[Matt.S.]

"given that I'm 6'10 my ideal LAYOUT height..."

 

[Terry]

Rule no.1 Tim, I suggest as many have said there is no right or wrong answer. When I went to shows and I wanted a closer look, I would crouch on floor to get an eye level view but was also appreciative of the helicopter view to get a feel for the layout.
It is your layout.
All the best
Julian

Crouching on the floor to get an eye-level view is not ideal. Being that the average age of your railway modeller is about 108 yrs., most of us wouldn't be able to get up again! I recently saw a micro-layout, complete with lighting pelmet, being displayed on your bog-standard hall table. I couldn't see a thing as the scenic section was completely obscured by said lighting pelmet. I like to see layouts at roughly my eye-level, about 5ft to baseboard top. This height does allow you to have a narrower viewing window (from baseboard top to bottom of lighting pelmet), and a shallower backscene. I have considered having a periscope for the use of wheelchair users but haven't acquired one as yet.
At the end of the day I think that Tim has to go with what is most comfortable for himself. I wouldn't get too hung-up over the question of layout heights. Most exhibitions tend to have enough variation to keep most of the people happy most of the time.

Terry