Looks like a lot of planning went into your train room, looks great. Looks like you have it all figured out, very nice space. You mentioned a Mianne lift gate, not sure what you are using for bench work, but Mianne is great for that too. Very flexible and configurable if you want to change something. It is very fast and easy and you will be ready for track a lot quicker. It would look great in your very nice train room as well. No saw dust mess in that nice train room either. What ever you choose, good luck with your layout and hope you are running trains soon.
I am building my own bench work just because the Mianne stuff (which is very very nice) is too expensive for me for the size I'm doing, but instead of making a hinged gate or something I decided to splurge on their lift gate. They are making it with extensions on each side so I can join it to my bench work. I wanted it so I could have a continuous run of track but still be able to get into the middle of the layout with ease (flick of a switch). They were very nice in accommodating exactly what I wanted.
Was thinking about the cost to fill your nice, large space the whole time I was typing the previous post. I understand completely. I am doing mine in sections, I started with a 6'x16' and am planning what to add next. Mianne's flexibility is great for this too, since I can't decide on a final plan. Splurging on the Lift gate is definitely a good idea though. Those are impressive, may have to work one into my layout somehow.
