Scrapping the old layout & planning ahead

[RobertInOntario]

I have 3 layouts... My first and largest one is a 4x6' layout with two ovals of track & some sidings. I started this layout in 2005 and it was my first layout that I built. Because we live in a small house, it's spent most of the past few years stored on its side.

Instead of using this layout, I've been using and adding scenery to my other two layouts: one is about 3.5' wide by 5.5' long with two ovals, sidings, including a fiddle yard of two sidings; & the other is a 1x4' switching layout. Both of these smaller layouts work really well & are looking great with all their recently-added scenery. The 1x4 is obviously a micro and the 3.5x5.5 is almost a micro.

Well, I've decided to start scrapping the largest layout. My wife & I took it out to the garage yesterday & I immediately started salvaging bits & pieces off it. I thought I'd be a little sad about seeing it go (sentimental reasons) but, instead, I'm eagerly removing various automobiles, buildings, trees, buffer stops (all 3 layouts are British), etc., and I hope to start removing turnouts soon as well. (I've added most of these items to my other layouts.) I'm sure I'll feel sadder when I actually get rid of the 4x6 layout.

So, my half-baked future idea is to build a larger switching layout. Switching layouts have the advantage of being quite interesting but still don't take up a lot of space. I'm looking to build something around 16" to 24" wide by 6 feet long -- that would fit nicely into my home office. I might start researching plans soon. However, I may not get started on this for several months yet.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions re plans for a 6-foot long switching layout. BTW, the scale I use is HO and British 00 (which is very similar to HO).

Thanks,
Rob