Hello fellow modellers;
I have finally secured some space in a Patio outside my bedroom for a layout. The Patio is covered and protected by three walls as shown. I had built some layouts before but they were purely track for running my trains. I am a train runner and a train herder too 
. Now, with your help, I think I am ready to build a nice layout in the space shown below.
First, my I tell you my needs/desires and what I have for hardware that I will be using:
1. Minimum of 2 independent tracks, preferably 4 loops (O80/O72, O63. O54 and O42?), O72 being the largest (I do have some O80 ScaleTrax if I can squeeze it in.
2. I like the outer 2 loops to be connected so that I can run one train through both loops by throwing a switch or two but at the same time have the train reverse itself so that I see it going one way and then coming back on the same track, so of course a revers loop is needed. Is this possible? Forgive me if I am not using the right "track terminology".
3. I never did elevated track before, so this time I want a simple separate loop with a reverse loop. This whole loop will be suspended by supports above the bottom tracks, no connection is needed at this time. The shape of this loop can be anything to make look nice. The min radius is O72 but I have some O82 RealTrax curves (RealTrax has roadbed so easy to just hang it up! This particular loop will run 2R and 3R steam/diesel locos.
4. I am not into a lot of scenery and I like more of an industrial look with may be a small town near by.
5. I plan to use ready built building and structures and place them loose so I can change them as I get "used" to the same old thing.
6. I love TT and a roundhouse so I need to leave space for one and add it later once I learn more about them, meanwhile its allotted space can be used for parking trains and/or structures or anything you can suggest, I am easy going.
7. A reverse loop is needed so I can reverse a train on any of the bottom loops.
8. I am thinking the first level height shall be 48" and the top one 12"-14" ? is this too much?
9. I have a bunch of ScaleTrax and RealTrax, switches and cross overs. I am sure there are better/worse tracks out there, but I got some already.
10. I plan to use 1/2" plywood with1/4" cork on top and NO roadbed. I hope I am not insulting anyone by not using a roadbed, but I am not good at it and I am out of town for weeks at a time, so I need to build quickly.
11. I plan to paint the cork (is it OK do paint it?) grayish color before laying the track, to simulate cement/asphalt and later I can add some greenery.
12. The four 4"x8" benches will be built identically for time efficiency and ease of building. This layout may move with me where ever I go, so it needs to be fairly easy to disassemble the four tops with the legs removed for transportation.
13 I have thought about staining/polyurethane the bench work for looks and protection
14. I think I will use 1"x6" for the frame and quality plywood for the top (I can also use 2"x4" but they are very heavy and not the best quality), again your opinion is appreciated.. I will use the bottom of the bench work for storage of power supplies, boxes, tools and so on.
15. This will be an "EQUAL OPPORTUNITY" layout All kinds of trains are allowed to run... It shall have DCC, Legacy/TMCC, DCS and last but not least, Conventional!
Tools/abilities:
I have built a shed or two and fixed some home walls, so I am OK with wood.
I have all the tools needed for this job. I have considered the Mianne Bench work but I think I can build it a lot cheaper, what do you think?
I am very excited to get started once I am back in town in a few weeks. My VL BB and MTH BB are waiting to run some marathons!
Your help, comments and constructive criticism is welcomed and appreciated.....
BTW and FYI; I do not have any train software and I have a Macbook, if that "counts for a heck of Beans" (do you know which movie this last sentence comes from?)
Sorry for the hand drawn paper...I am out of town in a village and I am not that computer savvy, I just read OGR and email on my Mac
