I scanned those preliminary plans for my proposed HO layout back in 2001, just to show I had been thinking along these lines back then. This layout was to have staging for Elkins and Cumberland. Elkins was to be on a lower level, and Cumberland on the main level. There was to be a steep run to an upper level for the Chaffee Branch which veered off between Thomas and Cumberland. Yes, it is crude, and certainly not final. In fact, I recall thinking I would move the Thomas yard over towards the curve to allow more room for the Blackwater Grade. I hadn't decided on all the sidings etc. either. However, one can see this plan was point to point, just like John's is now.
I had built a bunch of benchwork, and before putting risers for elevations, I had placed sheets of Styrofoam on the benchwork to try out the track to see how it fit. Eventually, I kept taking up track and we ended up building 2 dollhouses and other projects for the girls on it. Then it seemed to become a catch all for stuff my wife put there. Eventually, I took it all down, and used the lumber and foam for various home projects. Such is life. And now we have come to where we are today.
