5′ x 9′ HO scale
Design Goals
No grades greater than 4% – this rules out one track crossing over another track
Minimum 18″ curves. 24″ for mainline.
Visual realism, nothing can give it the look or feel of the oval toy train on a plywood board
Lots of variation in elevation
Irregular shaped layout – no long straights or symmetrical ovals.
Runs disappear behind mountains, in tunnels, to make it feel like it’s a larger layout than it is
Has some interesting elements like bridges, tunnels, road crossings, creek or river
Lots of weathering effects, no plastic looking surfaces
Short length cars and engines so they don’t look bad on the small curves
Can run two trains at same time continuously
Mix of passenger and freight
Transition era – mix of steam and diesel
Spurs and yard track to hold some rolling stock
Passenger train should look realistic when waiting at the station – I.e. not on a curve
Need to be to easily move the table to another part of the barn if necessary
Unsung Heros 
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