For me it is a satisfying feeling to: 

Do ya track plan.

Trace it on to the plywood (cookie cutter style)

Set your risers and lay the sub-roadbed and get what is in your planning program (mine Anyrail6) match the grade % and heights and to have it very consistent. Another piece in the puzzle and closer to have trains running on it. Hopefully by this weekend.

What I find hard, is to be motivated on the layou​t when I'm faced with a bench looking like this.

https://youtu.be/wubMVW73OfU 

Querying space between tracks in small yard..  photo below is what I planned but compared to the 2nd photo I seem to have to put the tracks closer. what would be best practice here.

When you are just starting out you tend to plan out as much as possible because being new, one can make many more mistakes so it does take a while to get going. But it is good to start starting the start of the layout and purposely leave somethings to when you only get around to it. "I'll cross that bridge when i come to it. For me this is that time and it looks difficult.  Any suggestions?

I did a bit cookie cutting for the layout recently but I do have a few more curves coming up and i'm liking the spline idea. I downloaded "Run like a Dream" recently, and was thinking if anyone has had or find this easy to do. Being in Australia  we don't seem to have homasote  but looks like it is absorbent material. Being new at this hoping to avoid making the wrong choice but the fun is trying different stuff out to see if it works. James

What would you consider the best rolling stock brand manufacturer with the most detail in their rolling stock regardless of price in HO scale for prototypes from the 40s to 70s.

Shelf layout keep it minimal ..i think

I'm was playing around with the best option for sub roadbed and decided on 18mm finished ply for strength but tough to work with I found. Then I was looking at how to cut it to get the most accurate shape needed for my layout as it  is very curvy. So I have decided on the cookie cutter approach it is easy to get out of a sheet and is most cost effective. I was interested in the spline suggestion but one needs to get the correct wood for a small area as mine 12'x14' room.