The local Museum has asked us to build an HO layout in a bedroom sized room, and we are looking for help(HELP!). We would like to get in touch with folks who have more experience than us, as far as what makes a successful display and operational layout. We only want to do this once...(grin). We are experienced in carpentry, track laying, wiring for DCC, as we currently have an operational, yet unfinished layout in another location, but now have to be very efficient in our use of space in this new venture.

We are thinking:

1. Multideck, perhaps having trains running through the same scene more than once. ie double/triple loop.

2. Walk around with our trains, if possible.

3. Viewable for the public on on side, behind plexi.

4. Some switching for operations.

5. Pulp, sawmill, and supporting industries.

I was hoping someone out there could look at our allotted space(attachment), and give us some ideas, as well as some Do's and Don'ts, or even a list of what decisions we need to consider...givens & druthers, etc.

The attachment shows 2 rooms, but the wall can be removed, and the entrance can be reconfigured as needed. The 3 windows shown are on outside walls. The dotted lines show the boundary of the space, but there is no wall there(yet). We thought that we might operate the RR from both sides of the dotted line portion(removable plexi-glass). The dotted line can extend across the existing entrance, and the entrance could be moved elsewhere.

Help!