Looks good! And I have to agree with you, I also like the looks of the shellacked boards. I think that will make your benchwork look really nice as well, when completed. You will have a really nice layout and train room! Your planning ahead is amazing to me as well. I admire folks that can do that! 
I usually do a lot (or most) of my planning as I go or after the fact... 
I think shellac would look good on my Mianne benchwork too, wish I would have thought of it sooner, but too late now. There is another forum member here that stained and finished his Mianne, it looks like fine furniture! I never thought of doing either thing when I got mine and was setting it all up.
