So many layouts to choose from....

Unlike "around the walls" style layouts, which almost always have to be custom designed to fit the room their actually going in (how many people have rooms that are "exactly" 8 x 10, 10 x 14, or whatever with no windows and closet doors to worry about?), there are a plethora of excellent 4 x 8 track plans that you can build and run as published (of course, there is nothing to prevent you from exercising your creativity and modifying your chosen plan).
In fact, when it comes to great 4 x 8 track plans, there is almost an embarrassment of riches - which can lead to the only problem that comes with building a 4 x 8 - with so many excellent choices, which one should you build? You might start off with one of the timeless classics, such as HO Railroad That Growsor John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid. Maybe you have Kalmbach's 101 Track Plansor 48 Top Notch Track Plans. It can be overwhelming.
The selecting a good model railroad depends on several factors:

• What prototype do you like?
• What type of equipment do you want to run?
  
• What kind of scenery (desert, mountains, city, etc.) do you prefer?
• What "style" of layout (toy-like or prototypical)?
• Do you prefer operation or just watching the trains run?
• How much modeling experience do you have?
• Will the layout be in the house or the garage?

Once you have determined these factors, it becomes much easier to select a design to build. For example, if this is your first layout, or it will be located in your garage or other high traffic area, it's probably best to start out with a simpler design. If you want to run big equipment, a design like the Gorre & Dephetid wouldn't be a good choice.
Over the next few weeks I'm going to be reviewing a lot of excellent 4 x 8 layout designs, giving you an overview of type, style, appropriate equipment, experience level recommended, and where to get the track plan. After the series, you should have an easy time choosing a track plan to build. I hope you'll enjoy reading the series as much as I'm going to enjoy writing it.

Cheers,
Ken