Now how about a little Q&A?
How much space is between your layout decks?[/quote]
Over in the Logging mining and industrial section there are pictures of my DG, CC & W RR. Which is my second round with multiple decks ( five total).
My previous attempt at multiple decks was built from the bottom up . and the upper deck was not finished, and very little was learned.
I have some shallow staging where the distance from the rail head to the bottom of the bench work on the level directly above it is four inches. This is tight and it works. I would not want to go any closer, and this height difference would be a problem if the lower level was more than three or four tracks deep. Other staging levels are eight inches, ten and twelve inches respectively; the deeper they are the taller you want the separation to be so that you can have access.
My main lower levels which are sceniced ; Levels 2 and 3 in a split level set up. at 30 and 36 inches above the floor: both have two feet from the railhead of the lowest track to the bottom of the benchwork above. these areas are for the most part two feet deep, with occasional wide places up to 2.5 feet deep. This allows adequate visual space, and ok reach access, although there is some head bump potential when working at the rear of the Crooked Creek engine facilities.
What would I do differently, now that I have more experience with multiple decks? Over Crooked creek, the sawmill town, and the biggest, busiest area of the railroad the two foot separation is ideal, and I would not chance that. I might use less separation over Harlow, my city scene. That would cramp things up some there, but would have allowed me to reduce the grades on my mountain significantly.
On the upper decks my decks get much skinnier, as there are knee walls and the upper decks are hanging from the ceiling. up near eye level, with a sixteen inch deep shelf , a ten inch separation has been plenty adequate.
When in doubt get lots of card board or foam core, and mock things up. Multiple levels can give you a lot more railroad, and really help establish the illusion of going some where. However it makes careful planning much more important.
Bill Nelson