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I think the backdrop in the middle is the critical factor for any prairie-themed small layout, since it's the only feasible way to hide the loop. A prairie needs an enormous sky. On one side of the backdrop, I'd say you should place a massive grain elevator and let that be the focus... two or three parallel spurs with one of them going into the building for loading. Covered hoppers are great cars, because they are so colorful and they also come in so many shapes, but for a little variety one could have a trailer-on-flat-car run through or maybe even an Amtrak passenger train. The opposite side of the backdrop might be a little interchange town where the connection to a larger rail network happens. With a little ingenuity, you might even fit in a staging track- perhaps long enough for that Amtrak train- that hides in the base of the backdrop: on one of the 4' sides, place a turnout in the middle of the curve, then run a tight curve to get to where the siding is angling more or less diagonally across the table. Then, build your backdrop with two panels, one on either side of this track, and maybe figure out a way to leave the backdrop removable so that you can service this track. <br /> <br />Actually, that staging track would be quite long, now that I think about it. <br /> <br />Of course, I could easily encourage you to go into N-scale instead of HO, since a 4x8 is plenty of room for realistic modeling and operation in this smaller scale. I subscribe to the belief that one should develop their track plan at one scale, then build it at the next smaller scale... i.e. you could take any of those HO 4x8's and execute it in N-scale, and end up with good looking curves, long passing sidings, and the scenic room to breathe that must be compromised in HO. Plus, you'll find places to add in an extra feature or two, such as an extra yard track.
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