First I used to play a lot of SciFI Video Games so hence the handle LaserRash.   I'm writing this July 2020.  I'm 56 Female that is re-engaging in model railroading.   My brother and I built two layouts when we were teenagers.    He and I worked on cutting lawns and other odd jobs in the neighborhood to generate enough money to build two layouts.   We built two layouts HO-28 Granite Georg and Northern and HO-31 WaterLevel Western.    We moved in the same room together so as to have one room for both these layouts.   Our parents thought we were insane.    That was 1979

Ok so fast forward to 2020 I'm now 56 and retired and thought this would be fun.   Although I'm not going to use Atlas layouts as I want to design my own and work with Flex Track.  Probably will do HO code 83.

I plan to read as much as I can in the forums.   So far I've learned a lot about DCC, Blocking, Signaling, realistic operations.    My challenge is that right now I have a space of about 7x11 in a room - that would a low for a 3' L shape walking area around the table.

I want to do modular bench work so will probably not do open grid with this.

The features I want in this next railroad include:

2 main lines

2-3 spurs

Yard

Bridge over Bridge (Mountain theme)

And 3 - 4 simultaneous trains

I plan to use power districts, block detection, signaling etc.

I'm Computer Science by Education and Trade so I love the details of the complexity

I want to do a Bridge over another bridged track - I know this isn't realistic but I like the way it looks.   I know purest are probably shaking their heads and that's okay because my railroad company is not concerned about up front capital but rather the money they can generate from tourism from all the beautiful  landscapes passengers will see.