We aren't much better off with our house. The only saving grace was my in-laws replaced the broken down deck with an enclosed sun room, the room below on the walkout level was only built to support the sun room. Now that we have owned the house 6 years, And our girls are married, i finally get the afterthought room as a train room. I thought very similarly as you when I started this topic. I shape, with an 072 loop bridging the gap with an upper level. However some folks here pointed out my high line would over power the lower mountain coal mining, lumbering rural and small town area. Of course there are newer high lines over older winding rural railroads, but how was I going to pull it off in 130 square feet? Many modelers do, but I couldn't envision how I would with the ideas I wanted to do for over 20 years. I actually sold the long locomotives and 72" passenger cars I was going to run on the proposed high line. I just used some of that money to buy more Ross switches and a Legacy 990 recently. I also got a couple shorter engines a while back.
That is no to dissuade you from your idea, because I have seen many layouts like you proposed done convincingly.
I have the concept of what I want to run and what towns, industry, and terrain I want. The track plan is basically ready, but I know there will be changes as I go along. Nothing is etched in stone. We will see how it progresses. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
