Givens and Druthers

Maximum available space is about 17’ x 20’, with a 4’ x 4’ notch out of the northeast corner for utility room access. Provisions must be made for accessible storage space throughout the room beneath the layout. There must also be a hobby work area. The room must be finished with a drop ceiling and adequate task lighting.
Layout to be sectional and removable with operation and continuous running capability
Sections to be comprised of T-Trak modules and sectional components, based on an enlarged T-Trak display oval integrated with around-the-wall sections.
Display oval s/b removable and simple to set up and take down for personal use and for demonstrations at train shows
N-scale standard gauge with fault free track work and reliable automatic couplers

Would like to be able to run equipment as large as a Berkshire on part of the layout
Free-lanced: loosely based on the White Pass and Yukon, with elements of the Chicago, Kalamazoo and Saginaw, Ann Arbor, and Manistee Northeastern
Always been a fan of the Great Northern and the Pere Marquette
Would love to build on the idea of a Pacific Northwest locale
I like car ferries; the Pere Marquette at Ludington, and the Ann Arbor at Elberta MI (Frankfort) would be good prototypes, as well as the Canadian National Vancouver to Victoria ferry.
Borrowed or generic town names, businesses and industries named for family members
Prefer smaller rolling stock from the transition era and earlier periods, no high cube or 85’ freight cars, passenger cars limited to 65’ except for 72’ gas-electric Doodlebugs
Prefer early Alco diesels like RS and S models, also EMD NW2s, F3s and F7s, four wheel trucks
Prefer smaller steam locomotives including prairie, mogul, consolidation, and ten-wheeler models, but also want to run a Pere Marquette Berkshire
Layout to be combined T-Trak and sectional, not modular; i.e., sectional pieces can only be assembled in one way.
Layout wiring should be as simple as possible, train and accessory control to be DCC/LCC

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