WOOHOO! Good weather = time to build

[Gary S]

And I'm all in favor of tracks NOT parallel to the benchwork. It's common design wisdom for a reason. I'm not saying you have to change it, mind you, but all the model railroad planning hoity toits will sneer at you from on high if you dare defy them...

From the artistic viewpoint, I agree with the above. Long gentle curves instead of straight track, curving benchwork fascia, nothing parallel... but I also agree with the David Barrow approach for operations. Lots of straight track and straight spurs... certainly helps operationally with coupling and uncoupling with magnets.

Anyway, here is what I currently have:

   

But I could easily change it to this:

   

Any thoughts, anyone? other options?