I'm glad I saw your new planning topic for the CRG! I know you are coming from a similar background as me, having to adjust to a larger scale. I still don't really thing in 1:48 even after running O gauge trains for over 5 years. I am still in N and HO frame of mind as you are. I think once both of us get to building a layout, be will start thinking in 1:48.
All that said, last January, I was in the same boat as you, not really knowing how to fashion a route that will interest me and give the longest run possible in the space available. I'm not good visualizing things. I do think you have a realistic view of the things you want, and the things you would like to try to include. The rest will come.
I'll ponder your space (actually big compared to the space I am about ready to build in) overnight, and check back in with some ideas later. My guess is, I'll be piggybacking someone else's ideas, but hey, that's what we are all here for. A combined effort to help each other with his or her own layout!
