Hello Bell Captain,
Yes indeed, time is always a constraint and issue and also finances are too. I am in the process of tearing down my Missouri Plywood RR (a hi-rail plywood nearly scale to scale mix of prototypical and collectible rolling stock and power units of all eras). My layout to replace will take years to get even the mainlines and yards in place on the benchwork.
In planning my new layout, I took my planned allocated space, thought about what size curves, how I have operated the past 25 years, and incorporated that into my thoughts about my new set up. But I first thought about the space and benchwork.
Thinking and wondering, planning is awesome, and when contemplating your start, do think about doing it in stages, and getting part of your benchwork down so you can just lay loose track to run a few things. Having meets and clubs can scratch that operating itch in a great way. You are thinking ahead, and that is always a great first step. Kudos.
