05-23-2011, 01:53 PM
Finish the space first as has already been recommended, then when you have settled on a track plan, put down track & roadbed without ballast first and operate the layout without scenery and with some mock ups as simple as old boxes to represent industries to see how the layout operates before committing to scenery, ballast, and structures. The less scenery that you need to rip up to make changes the easier it is to make changes for the layout to operate better. No matter how carefully you plan for every contingency, you will probably find some things that you want to change after you try it out.
You said that you were not planning for a back drop or around the walls, but that you planned for 5 x 45 feet. You will need access to both sides of the layout because you can't reach much over 2 feet from a table edge. I would suggest 4 x 45 feet with a 5 foot bulge at each end if you want continuous run possibilities for turn back curves. Then put a "back drop" down the center turning your 5 x 45 foot space into 90 feet of industries. Don't forget to allow for at least 36 inch aisles on each side. Having them narrow down to 24 inches at the 5 foot wide ends would not be a problem. If you just want an out and back point to point, a 5 foot bulge at only one end will allow a generous turn back curve to get from one side to the other. By the way the center back drop does not need to go all the way to the ceiling, just be high enough that you can't see over it from a normal viewing angle. If the layout is set at chest height, a 24 inch high back drop is probably high enough to serve as a view block.
You said that you were not planning for a back drop or around the walls, but that you planned for 5 x 45 feet. You will need access to both sides of the layout because you can't reach much over 2 feet from a table edge. I would suggest 4 x 45 feet with a 5 foot bulge at each end if you want continuous run possibilities for turn back curves. Then put a "back drop" down the center turning your 5 x 45 foot space into 90 feet of industries. Don't forget to allow for at least 36 inch aisles on each side. Having them narrow down to 24 inches at the 5 foot wide ends would not be a problem. If you just want an out and back point to point, a 5 foot bulge at only one end will allow a generous turn back curve to get from one side to the other. By the way the center back drop does not need to go all the way to the ceiling, just be high enough that you can't see over it from a normal viewing angle. If the layout is set at chest height, a 24 inch high back drop is probably high enough to serve as a view block.