an urban industrial area like the 18x72 inch plan posted does seem pretty nice. I haven't found my 101 Track Plans book yet, but I have paged through my copy's of Idustries Along The Tracks and a few did "catch my fancy". The brewery, small mill, coal gas plant, dairy plant, lumber yard, coal dealer, and of course team track and freight house all seem really interesting.
And there are a few kits already out there that I really like and would work with some of these industires, like Walthers Hardwood Furniture, Red Wing Milling, and concrete silos, Monroe Models coal elevator, and NJ International horizontal "fuel" tanks. I know my favorite local hobby store, which not so coincidentaly specializes ONLY in model trains, has a few of these kits on the shelf. I am pretty sold on using Peco code 80 track, and at least at first DC power since I already have a DC power pack, but will likely wire the track to be more DCC friendly using power leads and main power lines. I don't like the idea of soley depending on track connectors for power transmission.
I hope these idea's incorporated some of the advice and suggestions given already, or I will really feel like a donkey's rear.
