Are things you want to add/do on your layout holding you back?

It took me some doing but I finally figured out how to incorporate a Lake freighter and ore dock into my layout.  Going to be a while before I get to that project, but at least I have a game plan. 

That was a really nice piece that Alex built for you.  I think it's possible to find a solution to incorporate it.  Might just take some more time and creativity to find the solution.

Is your car ferry for rail-cars? I presume it is if sailing the Great Lakes... Why not consider using it as cartridge storage like on some British layouts? So you can display the ferry on its own table - some are wheeled at the height of your layout; some can be temporarily attached to the layout. You move it in and can run the cars onto or off the connecting 'ferry landing' track. There's many different ways to do this. Then you can move it out of the way.

Interesting thought Doug. I think I understand you to say that ferry could be moved on and off shore with cars on it to model the movement of cars on rail to the next lakeside destination, during the other train session operations. I guess it would depend on how delicate the boat model is and happy little fingers. 

That's exactly what I have seen on some British layouts. 

Here are some American examples (discussed):

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/42184.aspx

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/220945.aspx?page=2

http://smallmr.com/wordpress/car-floats-and-ferries/

http://www.model-railroad-info...odel-train-show.html

As much as I like the idea of using the car ferry as a cartridge storage system, I just do not have the room to load and unload it.  This layout is being built for the kids with a interesting track plan and it doesn't allow for room.

I do think I know how I will keep it on the layout without it taking up much space.  This weekend I hope to have the benchwork 100% done and will post some photos.