Have you made some sort of drawing yet? What do you plan on using for sub-roadbed? What kind of equipment will you use? What will your motive power be? Will the track be modeled as well-maintained or needing work? What year will you be modeling?
9X12 will keep you limited to shorter rolling stock and loco(s) of course. All these can factor in what you want YOUR railroad to represent. The main reason I ask these questions is since you want to hand lay your track, once you do, its kinda permanent. Planning will help avoid wasted time/money/frustration. I'd hate to hear that you put a lot of time and effort into track building and decided to redo it or something.
Everyone here can converge on one thing for sure...planning is the way to go.
Will this be permanent or modules?
Feel free to email me.
