John,
You are really hooked on this if you woke up thinking about it! 
I do like the longer lead into Davis, that does give more flexibility. At Hendricks it is hard for me to tell how long it is compared to Davis, but I would think I don't want it any longer because I do not want a turnout/switch inside the tunnel where I would have to go into the access hole to get to it. Once built, I want to go in the access holes as little as possible. Also, I would have to put some kind of detection system it to be sure which way the switch is thrown and if there is something in the way of a moving train. I want to keep maintenance to a minimum. I like the idea of raising Hendricks a bit and lessening the grade a bit. I think 40" is ideal for the lower town.
I was already thinking about the backdrop, and agree I want to spend the money to get something printed. I do not have the talent Connie has as she demonstrated on your layout, and my artist daughter doesn't have the time to do something for me. Besides, my mountains would end up pink and not green. 
Yes, I want to get on the trail sometime. I hate to leave my wife behind, as she has had one knee replaced and needs the other done. If we can go this year, I'll just look for the easy access points - the two ends. I doubt there is access anywhere in the middle.
I agree the WMHS has a lot of great information. I dug out some of what I have last night. There are a couple other boxes that I need to look at because there are some books I did not find when I was looking last evening. I piled up a bunch of locomotive and rolling stock boxes in the train room so I could get to the boxes that have the books. Some of those books I haven't seen in 6 years since we bought this house from my mother-in-law. It's like meeting up with old friends!
One last thing, about the hidden track on the drawing. If you put lines across the track to show tunnel portals, then I can see where you are thinking the track will be hidden, and I can see if I agree. Thank you again so much!!!
