Here's a new layout idea based roughly on my previous one but extended quite a bit.
I contemplated building a helix to raise my track but did not have to - I got land, baby. I've rversed a few things - note that the inner track now goes up instead of the previous case where the outer track descended.
That inner track will now mostly be exposed and is also double height at 12cm above the deck - I'm planning a lovely viaduct for almost half the length of the layout.
The green section will be raised and all the track will actually run under it except for the tram (blue track).
The tram will be built using Tomix tram track which I will coat with textured cobblestone paper.
The town will be built along the tram line on the green section.
Would love your views, folks.
Here's a track manifest, for the record: