For years I used a layout height of 48" but over time this "God's eye view" of things became distracting. I didn't quite like the eye level view because of building and maintenance considerations so 57" was selected as a good height for me(5-11"). A modern theme was important with industry, mountains, desert, a workable yard, and some storage tracks, so I didn't elect to model any specific actual scenes. Layout construction is typical 1x4 framing with 1/2" OSB or 2" foam sheeting. All tracks are Atlas Code 55 with #7 and #10 turnouts on the main lines. A few #5s were used at industry locations. All turnouts operate manually with slide switches or Bluepoint machines. HO cork was used for mainline roadbed and ballast is a combo of Arizona Rock GN basalt arid NP granite. Other natural rocks from Mt. St Helens, Washington (ash), Bend, Oregon (red lava), and Ludlow, California (desert gravel), add color variations. Woodland Scenics trees and scratch materials provided most of the landscape greenery. Electrically, the layout is wired in blocks and uses two MRC Control Master 20s with walk-around controllers. DCC is not in the current plan.
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