Staging Tracks support deck for the N scale layout

Today I finished the support for my seven staging tracks. The blue styrofoam sits atop a 1/2" piece of plywood which is supported by several IKEA wall brackets. The staging tracks will be connected to the main railroad by a number of turnouts (switches) at the far end of the blip - under the window. The recently mounted case is right above the tracks so that I can take cars from a shelf and build a train, putting the cars from the railroad back into the case. I do have too many cars - but I guess there is never too many cars in model railroading. Below the staging tracks will be three 8 foot IKEA shelves for storage boxes of - yes more cars and locomotives.

I am sort of a "elastic era" modeler. Most modelers pick a very specific date to model so that rolling stock is appropriate for that era. My Sn3 layout is set in Dolores Colorado in the fall of 1950. My problem is that I love steam (1950's ) and also modern stuff (2000's) in N scale (this layout). So I have basically two collections - one steam and one modern. I will not run them together but basically the railroad won't change much - maybe replace vehicles that scream era and maybe change a few buildings - but it can be elastic and look right enough.

The hand weights are there to hold the styrofoam in place until the adhesive sets.

Next step - begin laying out the track centerlines. First on the staging yard, then the connection, then the rest. Actually this will be the really fun part so far.