Personally, it would be better for you to pick one yourself and go with it rather than for the rest of us to choose it for you. Looking at and studying other layout designs is great for ideas but the final layout design should - to me - always have YOUR own personality and “needs” designed into it rather than taking someone else’s layout design verbatim.
Have you asked your boys which one they like? That might steer you in the right direction. Who cares what we think…
Tom
There is nothing wrong at looking at a best practice!
Byron is a layout design pro, but still I am a bit torn between the two options. I like the Virginian very much, it´s a layout that you can easily grow. OTOH, keeping your two boys happy is worth your weight in gold [swg]
OK, here we go - my vote is for option #2!
I would recommend #2 for the following reasons:
It’s all on one level which makes it a lot easier to build (and faster to build).
It allows continuous running of 2 trains - important with 2 small boys.
It includes a small yard and switching in both towns - again 2 boys.
I do think that #1 is better for you by yourself:
It’s a more interesting layout to build.
It has a more developed operational premise - I also think it’s more interesting too.
Expansion possibilities are built in, they don’t have to be added later on.
Good luck
Paul
Since it’s not my railroad personally, I do not feel comfortable deciding on someone else’s behalf what they should build.
I am a bit concerned that 18" radius curves could get outgrown rather quickly, because today’s kids often want the kind of trains they might see in real life, many of which will not adequately negotiate 18" radius curves, or if they do might look silly on 18" radius.
Partly for that reason, I’d say why not consider a 5’ x 9’ layout if you can find plywood that size in your area, because it offers more possibilities?
John
Yes, there is nothing wrong with using a design from someone else. You benefit from their knowledge on the subject. However, how will you learn about why things were done in a specific way?
My point is, to design a layout yourself, a person owes it to themselves to study and learn about how real railroads are designed and why they are designed the way they are. Similar to building rolling stock and structures from scratch; or, kits, the process is much more fulfilling, educational and gives a person a huge amount of pride in what they’ve accomplished!
I changed my mind…now I choose the Virginian.[;)]
Brian Buffalo…
Off the subject (I already gave my 3 cents), I belong to the NRA and NMRA… But what is the MNRA???
Number 2 is the way to fly ( er… build ).
Have fun either way you choose.[:D]
The MacBride Nature Recreation Area, d’uh!
Steve S
I think I’d go with #2 as well and for the same reason other guys gave. Namely 2 boys 2 trains. I’m sure if you wanted to add on in the future it could be done. In the mean time the layout as drawn would be fun for now.
Mine Not yours Railway Association. [:P]
OOOPS!
I would like to vote for #2, 35 times. But I’m alive and I don’t live in Chicago, so that can’t happen![swg]
I think you are wise to choose an existing plan. Many newbies come on the forum and ask for suggestions about a design they created… That’s an admirable attitude, but your approach of building something by a professional designer, or one that has been built before, would seem to result in a better experience for a first layout…
While I agree in part, Doughless, it would always feel like someone else’s layout - to me.
Tom
True. Perhaps the OP can adjust a few spurs or or change the them of the layouts via scenery or buildings to make it seem more of his own. Byon’s plan allows for this easier than the Virginian, IMO.
You nailed it Doughless! An existing layout gives me a proven track plan - something that is beyond my skill level at this point while I can still have the fun of creating original and personalized scenery. And believe me by the time that I am done with the layout I am sure that it will be unrecognizable 
As someone building the Virginian I’ll give you my two cents worth.
The two track vs one track has been discussed. For a beginner the other basic differences are:
Virginian : requires cookie cutter elevations, has standard radii , has relatively simplistic scenery (lots of puff ball trees), but requires quite a bit of track cutting on the turnouts. Videos and magazine articles lead you through the learning process.
Byrons Plan: No elevations (easier), non standard radii (18.2, 19 and 19.5), simpler turnouts, but will require you to learn road making and water techniques.
The deciding factor for me would be you have two young kids. Not for the reason that the others have commented on though. I think you will have Byrons plan up and running faster than the Virginian. With all the elevation changes, the turnout modification, the integration of code 83/100, and the girder bridge in the Virginian, it will take longer before you have something they can play with.
Cheers,
Steve
Thanks Steve,
You’ve brought up an interesting point… I am not a fan of purely flat layouts and would love to have the inside track of Byrons Plan at a slightly higher level than the outside. Even 1/2 inch to an inch would give some visual appeal. Is this possible? I find thinking in elevations very difficult when looking at these track plans.
Congrats on building the Virginian - sounds like fun!
Bernard
I change my vote to option 2 from the Virginian.
I am not a fan of purely flat layouts and would love to have the inside track of Byrons Plan at a slightly higher level than the outside. Even 1/2 inch to an inch would give some visual appeal. Is this possible? I find thinking in elevations very difficult when looking at these track plans.
I used to look at track plans with elevations and could not conceptualize them until I built something with elevations. I only see two places you could put in an elevation due to the turnouts between the inside and outside loop , the bridge and the tunnels. You could put an elevation on the outside loop to the west of falls creek coming back to the 0" level by the time you reach the #6 turnout at the bottom left. You could also put a small elevation on the left 18.2 radii portion of the inside loop.
I however don’t profess to be an elevation expert so others may see more places than me.
Trafficdesign, are both your kids interested in this project; or, are you hoping your interest in the hobby will trigger their interest?