Baseboard Size.

There are many factors which may influence the size and type of baseboard chosen. The size and shape of the layout, where it will be located, whether it is to be permanent fixture, semi-permanent or portable, plans for future development and expansion, and personal preferences must all be taken into consideration. We recommend that a beginner's first layout should be kept small and simple, but it can be extended into a larger layout once the modeller gets more experience. This way the modeller does a layout quickly, encourages more work, doesn't get bored, if things go wrong not much expense is wasted, plus building a big layout too soon means the modeller spends more time maintaining it than operating.

It is always too tempting when building your first layout to go for something large like 6 ft x 4 ft, this is surprisingly big and heavy if created in one piece. It is just moveable by one person and will just go through a doorway. We only recommend this size if the layout is going to be semi-permanent and only moved occasionally. For larger layouts, even if it is not to be moved, we strongly urge to build it in pieces or sections. There is nothing more disheartening to a modeller than taking a electric saw to a layout which has been build over a number of years to chop it up so it can be moved to a new location, like when moving house, so a little thought before construction can make this job easier latter.

A portable layout, especially if it is to be exhibited, must be easy to carry and transport, especially by one pair of hands, so we recommend no section bigger then 4 ft x 2 ft, smaller if possible. Another thing to think about is the actual shape of the pieces, it is no good building a section 4 ft x 2 ft, if the car which it will be carried in will not hold that size, could it be done as two 4 ft x 1 ft sections? A little fore thought at this stage pays huge dividends later.

Baseboard Height.

There is no 'golden rule' for the correct height of a baseboard, everyone has their own ideas on the ideal height. Things to take into consideration are the people going to operate or view the layout, make it too high and children will not be able to see, make it too low and adults will soon complain of back problems. The width of the layout has to be considered as well when deciding the height as you will have to reach over the layout to do things sometimes.

Most layouts are usually built to heights between 36 ins and 48 ins from the floor with and average of 42 ins. There are exceptions to this, coffee table layouts for example at about 18 ins. Most portable layouts do not exceed 40 ins in height as they are unstable the higher they get.