Frustration and indecision is settling in in a big way. I currently have a fair size N scale layout on two walls of a garage, one fair size yard(accessed in both dirrections) and one very small town with a grade to overcome. I plan to expand and simplify to dcc. I keep pulling my hair out over staging or none. I think in the long haul I would be sorry to leave it out but I dont want too much hidden trackage and I avoid powered turnouts so I can spend $ elswhere. I guess my question is do you think I would be satisfied with a big loop in and out of a yard with two main towns to switch.
ps. I have opperatted Wit Towers Alturas and Lonepine and dream of obtaining that level of opperation.
You are going through the exact same thing I have been. How to fit staging in the space I have available, have it accessible without too steep grades, and have enough staging to support operation. Plus support a two-level layout.
I recently started working on a far simpler design. The two railroad that WERE going to be on two separate decks will be on one, with various elements to visually separate them. Staging will also be on the same level, behind the scenery. No helixes, no crazy stuff. I still have the details to work out, but so far it’s coming together quite nicely.