Some of the plywood and homasote is fastened down and other parts are just loose in place. None of the track is fastened, just set in place to make sure things will fit and align. You will notice the strip of wood coming from the yard layout that represents the elevated track. So far it is tedious work but pleased with how it is laying out. Paper plant was made by Alan Graziano and has been replanted from my old layout.
Looks good Al. I like the rounded corners. Wasn’t sure if the Mianne benchwork would lend itself to this sort of design. You see it more using L girder. You pulled it off nicely. I really like the track plan. In the drawings it looks like you are using some sort of scenic dividers to hide the lally columns. As well as to block the view on your peninsulas. Curious as to the height of these. Are you using them to just divide the scene ? Or are you going high and blocking the view of the rest of the layout ? Forcing you to focus on that one scene and walk around to follow your train.
Dave,
Nice to see your reply and I'm glad I can back back to the layout after the absence. It's hard to tell from the trackplan art work but yes, there is a scenic divider that will be running around the entire layout separating the to and from tracks. This is going to make the layout a true walk around operations focused one. Not sure yet about the height but the block will be at least 11" tall and perhaps more. You will not be able to see the track on the immediate other side of most of the parallel track all over the layout. This will focus the attention to the area where the train is running. All the industries from the old layout will make it onto the new one. Except for 4 or 5 turnouts, all the switches will be operated manually again forcing you to be where the train is to do the switching chores.
Overhanging the table top over the angled Mianne Benchwork allows for the rounding of the corners. Some under bracing may be needed if the overhang gets to be close to six inches but that is easily remedied.
Cape Cod Northern, Wow, your new layout adventure looks really good, and I look forward to seeing the progression. Are you going to use Lionels Legacy command control for this layout? I will go back to the beginning of your thread and catch up in your ideas. From what I’m seeing in the pictures above it’s going to be a fun to run layout. Happy Railroading Everyone
Larry,
The layout is Maine Central themed and I have all the TMCC motive power and rolling stock I need to run it so no further train purchases need to be made. I do have two Legacy diesels on my roster and have the Legacy control system along with my much preferred CAB1 (simpler and easier) to run it. Thanks for your interest and comments.
Work continues on the new layout. All benchwork and table top completed and tracks have been laid out. Some new lighting has been added. Next to come should be the building of a scenic divider and perhaps adding power to the trackage.
oh to have a basement! Nice looking layout space. There are few houses (something like 5%) in CA have basement, sigh.
Same thing in Texas - few basements. For O gauge layout sizes, and sizes of trains, it's a totally different reality than for those in other parts of the country with basements. Yes, oh to have a basement! 
I find your current plan fascinating and appreciate the diagrams you posted. Liked your old layout demolition photos, so tried to find old posts by you with old plan diagrams. No luck. Any chance you have diagrams of first plan and the last iteration just before tear down? Bet they would be fun to compare.
Chuck
Chuck,
The old layout started around 2007 and over the years had 5 addons. It grew to almost 30'x40' and had 99 Ross turnouts. Half of it had a lower level. It was truly a spaghetti track layout that defied any scenery since trackage took up all available space. I wanted a simpler trackplan (single track main) that would lend itself to a rural setting (thus the interest in the Maine Central).
I only have a version of the original trackplan and does not show the "as was" before teardown. Attached is the original and some shots of the old layout.
Nice to catch up with your build and to see someone doing a true walk around in 3 rail O gauge with scenic dividers. I had a chance to operate on Harold Werthwein's Erie layout (HO) years ago and the walk around concept makes you feel like you are really following a train. Harold (and the HO guys) use staging as well- hard to do in O in a limited space. I assume the idea is to make up trains in your yard, send them around the layout switching all the industries, and then return to the original yard to reclassify?
At first I was a bit mystified as to why you were tearing down your old layout, but now I get it. The great thing is the track work will go fairly quickly and most of the industries are already built, so you can get right to work on the scenery.
I would say make the view blocks pretty high. Here is a shot of Harold's showing a view block. There is more layout on the other side (Not my photo- not sure who took it) In HO there is a lot more space, but notice the simple (and high!) sky blue wall and the use of vegetation to hide the transition from table to wall.
Will,
I appreciate your comments on the new layout and you "understanding" the change. The more time that I have "played" with trains, the more I have learned about how railroads operate and would like to be "more like them". Also by zeroing in on a specific road name, era, and geographic landscape, helps in "impulse buying" of things that do not fit the plan.
Yes, the new layout has much. much less track and less than half the number of turnouts than the old layout had (99). It took me about three weeks to put the track down (it is not yet attached). I will be selling off much Gargraves track, Ross curved track and DZ 100's and 2500's switch machines.
Lastly, you are right about a freight leaving the yard, traversing the layout, spotting and picking up cars and then return to the same yard. The old layout had 4 yards where as the new will just have the one. I will miss those. My divider will only be 11 3/4" high and will not be as dramatic as the one you have pictured.
Al
Al,
Great job on the new layout and glad you are staying safe. Definitely miss being at the Amherst show this year.
I know you are MEC, but thought you might like to see a few shots of my new Portland Terminal switcher.
Hope the storm doesn't hit too hard on the Cape.
Rich,
Recently I read an article in Model Railroader about how to get a manufacture to produce an engine in the road name you wanted. It stated rather than requesting it, start making it on your own. As soon as you complete it, a manufacture will announce that they will be coming out with it. How true that is. I had purchased a Lionel S engine, took off the shell and started to redecorate it for the Portland Terminal. Soon after I started it, Lionel produced it. I have not finished with mine but I would sure like to have the Lionel one! Care to "loan it out"?
That's funny and so true - sort of a "that's the story of my life" event !
I don't know about the "loaner" though; I'd need something in return that we could exchange every year in Springfield. 
We are only perhaps 2 hours apart. I would say personal visits are in order as soon as this all clears up!
Thanks for the 'old' track plan and layout photos. It really does reveal a dramatic shift in modeling priorities, and I hope you will enjoy it immensely.
Chuck
I am not sure where I have been since you started this topic on your new layout, Al! What you have done looks great! I skimmed the previous messages, but will have to go back and read through. I like your new plan a whole lot better than the old.
Al, loving the look of the single track design. It’s one thing seeing it on paper. Looks much more interesting seeing it with the trackage somewhat laid. Focusing on the one scene rather than looking at tracks going everywhere or an island. Smaller consists with correct cars serving industries makes it all come together. It’s nice to have friends over and running lots of trains. Most times though, at least in my case your by yourself. Your creating an interesting and fun layout you can operate as you follow the train through it’s days work.
Your right about engines. I hounded Lionel for years to do a Rutland 10 Wheeler. Even offer a set with a couple unique milk cars. I finally rolled my own. Went with #79 as I was able to adapt a headlight from an 0-8-0 that had a #79 that would be lit. Well they finally offered one in the last catalog. They had multiple numbers to chose from. They picked 79. I still ordered it and will change up the one I made.
Richie, I’m not a diesel guy. But that’s one sharp looking switcher.
Dave,
Out of all the layouts I have seen your layout has given me the most direction as to how I want my layout to appear and operate and I highly regard your comments. My progression from my earlier times in the hobby was taking me way past what the old layout had become. Impressive in shear numbers and size, perhaps, but not practical. Along the way I think I have "matured" somewhat and the new layout will be truer to how I feel what I want my trains to reflect at least in my own mind.
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