Now that's an interesting thought...my wife and I were talking last night about, well, I was talking and she was politely listening, gee I love that woman, anyway, we were talking about getting the next generation into the hobby and one suggestion I had heard was to feature more contemporary railroading in the hobby press. But very few, if any, of the starter layouts in MR and other publications allow that for the reasons you mentioned.
Either a compromise must be made to use modern 4-axle diesels or the layout must be set in that transition era. I think one such beginner layout was done by Andy Sperandeo in an around the walls setting with larger curves using foam board a few years back.
SO...this raises the question...what would be the equivalent of the good 'ole 4x8 sheet of ply (or foam) today? I know pingpong tables are 5x9, but what else could be easily bought and used right away that would help beginners make that transition off the floor onto a table?
Track shelving is a fairly easy but pricey way to set up around the room scenarios. I have used Gorilla Rack freestanding metal hammer-together shelving as benchwork for a freestanding switching layout, but had plans to use it for a larger 4x8ish plan before I moved. So there are good options including the good 'ole sawhorses for support...even saw some preassembled metal adjustable sawhorses at HD the other day that held my attention and imagination for a few minutes.
And adding two 4x8's side by side creates an issue of managability and reach...there has to be a happy medium, especially since several 'train sets' by Bachmann including a Thomas set (Gordon with express coaches) now come with 22" radius EZ track. Sure, they'll fit on a 4x8 but scenically that's pushing pretty close to the edge.
Hmmm....
Galen