I had the same concern about reach while planning my 8x14 layout. See my prior post in the forum titled "Around the walls, not on a table in the middle of the room". 

I have gone back and forth on what to choose an realized that I really didn't have enough room to spare to give up on valuable space to go with around the wall layout. So I have been planning out a suggestion made by Moonman.

I plan on putting a nice sized mountain range right down the middle. Sure it will take some time to build that range but I plan on doing it in sections, off of the layout. It will be light enough for me to place it where I need it. Once in place I should have no more then a 36" reach from either side to work on additional scenery and track. And I get the advantage of having one side of the layout designed for more of city scene and the other side more of country. On either side I can add in siding for different industries. The more I plan this out, the more I like it. Just an option I am throwing out there to help you with some other ideas. There are many here and it helps a lot in making a decision. Good luck buddy....