When I discovered trains again around 2000, I started with what I knew as a kid, conventional operation. After a few years and seeing the cool stuff you get with command, I changed horses and never looked back. 
Good day Arnold, one thing I forgot to mention about my current layout, it’s my 4th permanent type layout, (in reality there’s never a permanent layout) and it was planned, the Lord put this layout together, it evolved over 24 years, the scenery was created from folks at my church who would not charge me a dime, and so many friends helped with finishing my basement, wiring, construction, it just came together so easily, and so much fun. Now, it’s the little things that make huge differences. I met my wife at Korean Presbyterian Church in 1990, we over the years became good friends, we married, she built the new home that we moved into in October 1996. We began the layout with a beautiful G gauge train running around the walls just below the 8’1inch ceiling. The room is 44 by 40, mostly all model trains. Beginning at age 50, now going on 76, I’ve truly been blessed.
To answer your Question, I’d add a MILLHOUSE turntable in place of the one I have, (a modified Bowser 32 in TT) add a 4 track passenger terminal. That’s it. We are happy with our 5 level system and love Legacy Command Control. Sometimes it’s great to simply be Thankful for what the Lord has put Together, we are truly blessed. 
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@Ron045 posted:In business they say...
On time, within scope, on budget... Pick only 2.
Same goes with your "desire"...
4800 sq ft house, $300K, attractive part of the country... Pick only 2.
LOL! I think you summed up the dilemma nicely. 
That's why I still live where I do. 
I wish I had designed in more hidden storage, accessible of course. When I designed the layout I planned for more storage than the trains I had or trains that were on the market for Norfolk and Western at that time. Since then there have been numerous N&W products made that I've purchased. Luckily, I'll be moving the layout in a few years and plan to make adjustments then.
I'd stick with post-war Lionel and Rail-King sized rolling stock...i.e. 60' passenger cars, etc. I currently have scale/Premier locos (steam & diesel) 72' passenger cars and 54" 72" switches and curved track.
I do not like the "over-hang" on curves of scale equipment.
Arnold, I have seen professional wiring that looks far worse from that. Working at a power company, whether in the telecommunications department, automation and controls department, or instrumentation department, wiring was done very neatly and everything was tagged and documented. Being forced to make a mid-career change I went to the telephone company and a lot of the wiring out at customer locations was absolutely pathetic!!! Each installer who went out to a business customer would just add to the rats nest, and the guys who cared couldn't do much with it since everything existing was in service.
That said, I do like neat wiring.
As Bob suggested, I'll post a photograph of my latest build.
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"What If You Did The Whole Thing Over?"
Why, I would go back to collecting stamps. 
I am currently building that “Dream” layout so this is a very interesting thread. Leave to Arnold to come up with these topics that challenge our minds. I started with a 1850 sq ft unfinished basement and approximately half is the layout with a small shop, my workspace as I work from home and my man cave which is covered with trains and train art. Minimum curve is 072 with a grade of approximately 2% a small yard and yes a Millhouse Studios TT on order. Will include a 6 stall Korber Roundhouse with a Big Boy Extension. The layout is approximately 40 ft long and 15 ft wide. 
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@PRRMP54 posted:"What If You Did The Whole Thing Over?"
Why, I would go back to collecting stamps.
Why not both? The pandemic is keeping me from the fabulous large layout at the Paradise & Pacific in Scottsdale and I have re-discovered stamps and enjoy both.
Most important is to have FUN!
The layout is looking great RJT Rick!!!
Even though I'm currently only enjoying the hobby with temporary/seasonal layouts, I sometimes I think I would have been better off if I started out with HO instead. If/when I get the opportunity for something more permanent, that will strongly be considered.
If I was to start over, I would make my layout "around the wall" with a several track mainline. This way I can run long trains side-by-side on very wide curves. I currently have a single track, O-42 mainline and I sadly can't run a lot of engines that want to get.
On this new layout, I also would add a lot more operating accessories so guests could interact more. After a great conversation with @Arnold D. Cribari a week-or-so ago, I have been looking into adding some operating accessories to my current layout. When I make my next layout, operating accessories will not be an afterthought like they were this go-round.
I would also take a page from the great Phil Klopp and make a multi-season layout so could have all of the seasons on display. My current layout is all winter/Christmas but I always wanted to dabble in the other seasons. I have some fun ideas for several fall and summer scenes.
Bryce
My home layout is in a 10' x 20' attic. One side of the angled attic roof is 10' high and the other is 4' high. I am 6' 2" tall so I am always banging my head into the rafters when I stand about half way across the room. There are no basements in most CA homes.
I had a contractor put a good tile floor, lighting, and electrical in the attic. I put in ceiling tiles. The attic is accessed by a pull down ladder from a hallway. Some of my larger train buddies can't climb the ladder. Two to three people are the maximum that will fit into my train attic.
If I could do it over again, I would buy a house with space for a bigger layout in a more comfortable location than the attic. At this stage in life, however, it isn't going to happen. My wife and I will be moving to a much smaller home for our next move.
I am fortunate to have my club nearby with the G&O garden railroad. The club's indoor layout is HO. There is no space for another scale indoors which is the reason we went outdoors.
I would have made the G&O all O gauge if I could do it over. We had to go with both G and O gauges to get enough people in order to build the outdoor display. Presently, all the G gauge people have left the club or have drifted to HO gauge. The only people currently working on the G&O are O gauge modelers. Nearly all of them are TCA members and have impressive home train collections. The G&O is going to continue running both gauges for the foreseeable future. We are always trying to recruit both O and G gauge modelers to the club.
There is a real satisfaction in running modern command control O gauge trains outdoors in the sunlight. We have run some O gauge trains in the rain during shows with no apparent damage. The club uses Legacy, DCS, battery and conventional control to run O gauge trains. The track is Atlas. It has held up very well during the past 10 years.
I suggest to anyone that doesn't have room for an O gauge layout indoors that you consider going outdoors. Trains in the garden is a fun way to experience the hobby. NH Joe
Below: A Lionel Train Master pulls a circus train on the G&O.
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The first thing I'd do over would be to get rid of all of those pesky pillars in the basement so I could have some really impressive double track mainline to the horizon!! There was an article in Model Railroader years ago which pointed out you could do this and then support the house on compressed air...of course there was the issue of an airlock to get into and out of the basement and the article did appear in an April issue of the magazine...but still ... something to think about. 
@Robert S. Butler posted:The first thing I'd do over would be to get rid of all of those pesky pillars in the basement so I could have some really impressive double track mainline to the horizon!! There was an article in Model Railroader years ago which pointed out you could do this and then support the house on compressed air...of course there was the issue of an airlock to get into and out of the basement and the article did appear in an April issue of the magazine...but still ... something to think about.
@Robert S. Butler posted:The first thing I'd do over would be to get rid of all of those pesky pillars in the basement so I could have some really impressive double track mainline to the horizon!! There was an article in Model Railroader years ago which pointed out you could do this and then support the house on compressed air...of course there was the issue of an airlock to get into and out of the basement and the article did appear in an April issue of the magazine...but still ... something to think about.
Mark the invitation is still there for you,and everyone Thank you for all the likes greatly appreciated. Robert tell me more about your theory on removing the basement support columns. I have three in my layout that I would love to remove as you can see I just boxed them in.
Rick,
I would be glad to take you up on the invitation after getting some outside fall work done. Thank you!!!
@Mountain Mover posted:Why not both? The pandemic is keeping me from the fabulous large layout and I have re-discovered stamps and enjoy both.
Actually, I meant to write "swizzle sticks" but wrote "stamps" instead as I still do collect stamps and they must have been on my mind; well, stamped envelopes.
Vintage 2-rail O scale: US Hobbies, Max Gray, Lobaugh, etc. Geared for scale speeds. Great performance, no gimmicks; quality through-and-through. Maybe a few diesels from All-Nation and CLW. Heck, I'm pretty sure this stuff will still be running long after I'm gone!
Robert: "The first thing I'd do over would be to get rid of all of those pesky pillars in the basement so I could have some really impressive double track mainline to the horizon!!"
I'd readily take multiples of pillars if we only had basements. 
Heck. I didn't even know what a "basement" was until I was almost a teenager.
I'd go 7.5" gauge 1/8 scale.
Ya know Arnold D. Cribari... You stink. I was happy just forging ahead on my existing layout. But reading this thread every day has really given me the bug to tear it down. 
Ron045,
Cribari is really an OK guy...
MELGAR
@MELGAR posted:Ron045,
Cribari is really an OK guy...
MELGAR
I hope my post came across as light hearted teasing. That is how it was meant. Sorry to anyone who may have interpreted differently.
Ron045,
It was understood as you intended. He actually is an OK guy... I mean it. We discuss trains on the phone throughout the week. A Forum friendship.
MELGAR
I set out to build my dream layout about two years ago after a 35 year hiatus from the hobby. I had boxes of postwar stuff that I started using without even realizing there was this world of Command Control out there now! So I wired in blocks and UCS track and used 18 of my old 022 switches.
A few months ago I got the bug to convert to all O72 Ross switches, but the redesign was so complicated and major that I ultimately decided against it. I’m having too much fun running trains now after working on the layout for so long. It works fine as it is and I can accept the limitations of not being able to run large locomotives and long scale passenger cars.
I am thoroughly enjoying both my old Postwar gear (now grateful for all the blocks and UCS) as well as the Lionchief Plus line, which is extremely fun for both me and my young kids. Being able to run long trains (my layout is 40’x11’) slow and steady is what I dreamed about when I was a kid, and with LC+ I can do just that, not to mention the great sounds and smoke.
Thanks for the good topic, Arnold. Thinking about your question made me realize how fortunate I am with what I have now.
Switch yard looking west
Countryside looking east
Center of the layout panning west to east
Time lapse of two trains on the two main lines. So fun!
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Kevin, the layout looks great! Is it built right on the attic floor?
Tear down my present O gauge switching layout and build a 3 trac
Build a 3 track "caboose chaser" oval about 10x20 with minimal scenery. Maybe add a 3-4 track double ended yard so I can add variety to the trains running. No switching, no prototypical running. That would be reserved for an HO switching layout, just large enough to build quickly. Why HO?
price, size ,variety, consistency, durability, NMRA standardization
@Mark Boyce posted:Kevin, the layout looks great! Is it built right on the attic floor?
Hi Mark - yes, out of necessity. I reclaimed an attic that was open beams and insulation by laying down a floor, bringing in electricity, and because the headroom slopes down from 4’ to about 1’, I had to put track down directly on the floor. It’s kind of my hideout up there!
@CoastsideKevin posted:Hi Mark - yes, out of necessity. I reclaimed an attic that was open beams and insulation by laying down a floor, bringing in electricity, and because the headroom slopes down from 4’ to about 1’, I had to put track down directly on the floor. It’s kind of my hideout up there!
Kevin, That is the kind of attic I have, although the plywood floor has been there all along. It is amazing all the stuff my wife has had me store up there. Over the last couple years, it has been harder for me to move around up there.
When I got back into trains as an adult, about 35 years ago, I should have pursued S gauge instead of O. Better proportioned; you can fit more into the same amount of real estate; items are somewhat less costly; and boxes take up less storage room.
@RadioRon posted:When I got back into trains as an adult, about 35 years ago, I should have pursued S gauge instead of O. Better proportioned; you can fit more into the same amount of real estate; items are somewhat less costly; and boxes take up less storage room.
I got back in 24 years ago. If I recall correctly, there were no new S gauge steam locomotive offerings at the time, so I bought an MTH NYC Hudson. I was blown away by the detail. I'm still in O gauge, but would have gone to S if there had been more product offerings. No lack of car products, but locomotives, well!
I’m with Larry I happy with what I have the one thing I will and am going to do is flip that 4x8 new section long ways soon then add some more on.
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If I could start over I would go with standard gauge and keep it at that.
Norm
I would reconsider my outside of the room layout (on the walls) vs. a Island style platform. The wall layout gives you more space, but access to certain parts is more difficult. Decisions, decisions.
@Oman posted:I got back in 24 years ago. If I recall correctly, there were no new S gauge steam locomotive offerings at the time, so I bought an MTH NYC Hudson. I was blown away by the detail. I'm still in O gauge...
Same for me. After being out of the hobby for 39 years, I went to a train show 23 years ago and bought a new MTH Premier NYC Hudson. I've been buying ever since. Unlike the title of this thread, it is something that I would do over.
MELGAR
@third rail posted:Build a 3 track "caboose chaser" oval about 10x20 with minimal scenery. Maybe add a 3-4 track double ended yard so I can add variety to the trains running. No switching, no prototypical running. That would be reserved for an HO switching layout, just large enough to build quickly. Why HO?
price, size ,variety, consistency, durability, NMRA standardization
I should have kept to the KISS (keep it simple stupid ) system.I bought more cars than I really need. Went for a single road name & purchased all I could afford. I have now 17 engines, really don't need that many but I still enjoy running each one -except for the ones that seem to break down with frequency. The simple conventional locomotives work great all the time, the $500+ locomotives are always being worked on.
I would have kept a few postwar sets, sold the rest, run conventional, and had maybe a 5X12 island layout instead the around-the-basement monstrosity that is bogging me down.
