ok first ,glad you got Xtrk its a great program,twothe landing is 7.5 in tall and the room is a standard 8ft tall,so ther is standing room.and the stairs are open,no walls.is a doughnut pretty much what i hve and yes towards the aisle is most feasable.and since i like point to point and continous running that will have to be involved like my ideas.
my layotu design elements are in priority order
1.steel mill
2.coal mine,since this was C&O's prime commoditie
3.engine servicing,dont have to have it but would like it.
my era is very broad,1960's to early 70's.ill have my C&O engines do all the switchin.the yard switchers will be medium sized deisels.i dont know what would be used so im guessing some 44 tonners and GP9's?like i said i dont know what switchers i should use or what Chessie system would have.for road engines just on the mainline ill have E series locos and a single 2-6-6-2 articulated.but in my later era it will be larger 4 axled deisels,besides the E sreies ther will be no other six axled engines.
ther will be no passenger service , if ther is it will be some time in the future or just for fun.no passenger service will be on the layout itself.