Some drawbacks of multi-level layouts...

[doctorwayne]

For anyone thinking about a double-deck layout, one of the drawbacks can be the limitations for on-layout photography.

For example, this nondescript view at Elfrida is made even worse by the threatening sky...



...as is this one at Lowbanks:



Photoshop, which I don't have, might improve them, but my alternative is to crop-out the stuff which doesn't belong, leaving...well, a picture, but not really something all that worthwhile:





Some views are beyond redemption, though:





This lower level photo is as-taken, but the scene is very near the edge of the layout:



The upper level, barely started, at least offers opportunities for Barney to take to the skies, as seen here, but I suspect that the ceiling and overhead lights will intrude on any ground-level photos.
This is the upper (North) staging yard. It's fully operational, but not connected by track to the rest of the layout.



Working this yard requires that the liftout at the room's entrance be in place, not really a big deal.

Wayne