One option is to put the layout on either casters (wheels) to be rolled up against a wall when not in use or made without legs to be stored out of the way and set on a folding table top when in use. Either option will take up less space than an around the wall layout when the layout is not being used. You will also have the option to move the layout to another room in the house, if needed. This may be an important advantage to going with a 5x9 as opposed to an around the room layout which limits the room to pretty much only being used for model trains.
Well, I don’t know which of these two threads is the “master”, so I’ll go here. Regg, you said on the other thread that not being able to run your trains is killing you, and I sympathize. But at the same time, I urge you to oatience and caution. Which will kill you more: not being able to run trains because you are still planning and designing (with all the attendant anticipationa and excitement), or not being able to run trains because, as before, you have a layout that doesn’t work right (with all the attendant anger and frustration, never mind the wasted time and materials)? I think, deep down, you know the answer to that one. So, I think Rich made a good summary of the design choices so far. The only essential piece I’m not sure of is whether you must have continuous operation (that is, a train has the potential to continue to go around your layout indefinitely without operator action - and notice that I didn’t say “in a circle”). We (mre importantly, you) need two things to start: a clear understanding of what you want, and a good picture of what you have to work with. If you could undetrake to compile that list (start with Rich’s summary and flesh it out), that would be really helpful. The thing is, though, it has to reflect design decisions. “Multilevel tracks if possible” provides gudance, “I’m not sure whether I want multiple levels or not” doesn’t. You can always change your mind later. Also, if you can give us a scale sketch of the available space, with all of the obstacles drawn in (that pillar looks structural), as well as scale representations of the other stuff you need to fit in (sofa, large screen TV, anything else), that would be a great help too. Finally, DO NOT build any benchwork, or acquire anything except reading material, until you have a pretty firm design. Doing so will only introduce artificial complications.
The Lion got it right. Do a shelf layout and you’ll never go back to a mid-room table. While you lose wall space, (only a 2 foot or so width), you can have long runs and treat your road to easily reachable, maintanable and modifiable operations.
Starting over or fresh is a given in MR work and will come to be welcomed and a sign that you are maturing in the MR pursuit. You’ll find that what you have can always be improved and once improved can, and will be, totally started over. It is a staged, natural process over the years.