Isn't this like asking a car dealer, how much a car costs? How much space do you have/ that's how much it needs 
Enjoy, either way.
For me I would need a 20,000 square foot layout, mainline action Cheyenne to Ogden, and the UP to Denver and the Grande up to Moffat.. 
OK-OK I know that is juts crazy, buy a Target or WalMart big box store and build a layout in it!. HA!
LOL
Sorry guys, couldn't resist.
Chris, this photo is stunning.. WOW 
What a beautifully done layout.
Originally Posted by Simon Winter:
Will,
Take a look at Gary Schrader's layout:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...I7nY&feature=related
It is in a space approx. 40x20 and is proof you don't have to have an area the size of a football stadium to have a great layout.
Simon
I don't guess you realized when you posted, that would take up the entire basement of a a small house!
I want to thank everyone for posting to this thread. The insight is greatly appreciated and you all have really helped me. I think I will continue to buy MTH 2/3 convertible locomotives with scale wheels so that I can do 2 rail later on.
Will,
That sounds like a plan.
Chris and Erik,
Thanks for the nice notes about the photo.
There are some great examples here of model RRs. I'm a fairly recent 2 rail convert that took some good advice here... just a while back. I thought that I would have to hand lay track. I did try and it was easier than I had expected. I did not have to hand lay. The Atlas switches that are available actually did work for me in a fairly tight space. I ordered some smaller Old Pullmans that are great also. I just had to cut the frogs because I ordered them wrong.
I think you can fit some real action in a fair area. I'm not the level of modelers that's around here, I just keep adding what I can.
