But my eldest will be starting from scratch, he's got some engines, coaches and trucks, but hasn't got a controller or any track at all. Ideally he wants a layout so big that it would take up most of his bedroom. As we're still in the process of trying to move house I can't really design anything room specific. Also my wife is convinced it's only a fad for him and he won't use it much so doesn't want it taking up too much room, hence the decision to go for a 3rd underbed layout.
He likes continuous running, not so much into shunting, trying to get 2 loops and enough sidings for his coaches and engines so he doesn't have to take anything off is a bit tricky, I've tried adding in a passing loop to give it a little variety, and also leave enough room for some scenery.
My current thinking is to have a hill over the 2 tracks on the far left, twin width tunnel entrances, then a road bridge going over the passing loop and the road passing up on to the hill. The points in the station aren't ideal, but with some lengths of rod fixed in place, should be able to be operated without moving the platforms, but will have to check clearances as the engines turn on the points. Would prefer to have 2 places to switch between the tracks as their tender engines don't seem to like reversing over points.
