Glad you got to see it first hand, that is impressive too. After my wife saw it she asked about making a table out of it. Take a look at Strangtrain's stained and finished layout in a previous post here. It's really nice looking, it is furniture!
I considered all that you have as well, and no mess! And as you say if you move it's fully reusable and reconfigurable when you get to your new place. It was just perfect for me. After considering everything I thought the cost was pretty reasonable too. All the advantages far outweighed the cost for me!
