Craig,
This is turning out really well. You had a good vision of what you wanted. The execution is delivering!
A feature that I really appreciate is in the first photo. You put down the trackside weeds first and then the ballast. 
I see so many layouts with a nice neat line separating the two because the weeds/grass were put on last.
Are you enjoying the operation or running of the trains? The track plan seemed to have good play value.
