Hope that question makes sense. I'm changing from N scale to HO and am trying to get a handle on the benchwork for my new layout. I plan on using L girder construction with plywood sub roadbed. What I'm trying to figure out is how high my zero level trackage  needs to be above my benchwork joist. My layout will definitely be set in a rugged mountainous area and I like bridges and trestles so I want to leave enough room under the trackage for some pretty impressive canyons and valleys.

Well it looks like I will be retiring my first layout this spring and moving to a more modular shelf layout instead.

Here's a picture of the new design for the main module. Its a 2'x12' urban industrial switching layout.

Please take a look at my track plan and offer suggestions to improve the design.

There are a number of great resources  about designing yards (particularly yard throats) that discuss the best ways to move motive power and cars around, but I've never seen a book, magazine article or online resource that that discusses anything to do with moving the model railroad train crews around....