I actually started planning my layout before I started construction on my house. Since I was the general contractor, I was able to make sure that the train room was exactly he way I wanted it. This allowed me to have the minimal number of obstructions, including posts, beams, pipes and ducts.
I did spend a fair amount of time with paper and pencil, probably about a year and a half. The plan may change a little, as was the case with the lower level, or it may totally evolve as was the case with the upper level, but I try to give everything maximum thought before any construction.
This is one of the earliest construction photos I have taken back in 2003.
This one was taken from almost the same location late in 2014.
With me, once track goes down, it STAYS DOWN! You may not want to take such a hardcore approach, but you do need to start moving forward. Carpe diem.
