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Vertical Seperation/Vertical Clearance for Multideck layout & Classification Yards.... Dream and design
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Prolific poster 2,864 posts kleaverjr Prolific poster 2,864 posts
kleaverjr

It's hard to mock this up to know the issues this design problem may have. 

The classification yard will have both a "Road Crew" Aisle, and a "Yard Crew" Aisle so both sides of the benchwork will be accessible.  The depth of the classification yards will be between 24"-30".  I have as a "Given" (or perhaps it should be considered a STRONG Druther) of having 21" Vertical seperation (measured from top of lower deck to bottom of upper deck) for a lower deck classfiication yard.  But a possible issue comes to mind with vertical clearance.  If, for instance, the lower deck classification yard is at 45".  If there is 21" seperation, the bottom edge of the upper deck will be at 66".  For people who are taller than that (I am 69" tall, and I have a few (potential) operators who are in the 72'-76" tall range, I'm concerned about heads collidiing with the upper deck.  I do NOT want to have the decks at different depths.  I do not like the visual appearance. I like a diorama/"lettterbox" framing in the scenes and having the front edges of the benchwork be the same is an important "Given".  So for those with multideck layouts with yards on the lower deck, what is your experience with heads colliding with the upper deck when the deck is lower than the persons height who needs to reach in such as to uncople a car?

Is vertical seperation a moot point, and I should set a vertical clearance "Given" for benchwork for the upper deck above yards????

Any thoughts?

Thanks once again!

Ken L
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Steve Raiford Active Member 55 posts
Steve Raiford

Vertical clearance

Ken L

I am in the process of building a new 2 deck layout, and faced the same question. What heights?

First some background - I'm vertically challenged at about 5' 5".

Not being "old" but being retired for 5 years and mature, I no longer have the flexibility that I had years ago. Actually even forget about crawling on hands and knees under a layout.

I designed the lower level so it is vary easily accessed while sitting in a chair. This will be true for most people, even those taller than I am. The upper level I had to design for my height, even though the majority of people will find this a little low. If it were higher, I couldn't reach to the back edges.

Will I ever hit my head? Probably once or twice before I learn.

What you should get from this is: What height? The answer is the height that is best for you. Another's answer will probably not match your needs.

Steve Raiford
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Russ Bellinis Prolific poster 3,335 posts
Russ Bellinis

Use padding on the facia for the upper deck.

If you pad the facia for the upper deck, you won't need to worry about people hitting their heads on it. 
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kleaverjr Prolific poster 2,864 posts
kleaverjr

Typically 42" Lower Deck and 63" Upper Deck Bottom...

The heights that I'm most concerned about is a location where the yard on the lower deck is at 42" high (and is 30" deep accessible from both sides) and the bottom edge of the upper deck is at 63".  Even for me at 69", that would mean my forehead would hit the bottom edge.  There is not a good way to mock this up because I would really have to build it with track work and cars and simulate everything that is done in taht particualr yard to see how often I and others might hit our heads :-\

Ken L
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Russ Bellinis Prolific poster 3,335 posts
Russ Bellinis

Any double deck railroad will have one of two problems.

It will either have places where heads might get bumped, or the upper deck will be high enough that operators will have difficulty reaching the back, and short operators may not be able to see the upper deck without a step stool.  The only exception would be a narrower upper deck with the facia set back from the lower deck, and then you may have problems with people inadvertantly doing damage to the front of the lower deck while reaching into the upper deck.  You can glue foam padding to the front of the facia on the upper deck and then get some vinyl upholstery fabric that complements the facia color and upholstery nails and make it look like furniture.  Think a padded bar rail.
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