Looking Closer at Infrastructure

I'm considering doing a bit of a "reboot" on the layout building.  One thing I've been doing up to this point is attempting to build a shelf-style layout while not actually having any walls to mount things too.  Inevitably this was part of a larger oversight of not taking infrastructure serious enough.

I've been going at things regarding the layout from the mentality that "people often over-engineer layout benchwork." assuming that I could get by with a minimalistic approach.  While that may be true when it comes to scenic foundations, I think the opposite danger exists as well which is under-engineering then wishing you hadn't later on.

A good example of my attempt to try and skirt having solid infrastructure is the "backdrop plate" that appeared in the post earlier this week.  I was building what really amounted to a stud-like wall out of 1x2's which was just skinnier and a whole lot more flimsy than the real thing.  As I was doing some math on things today I realized something important -- It may be over-engineering to build stud walls just to build a layout on it but given that it only costs marginally more but is 10x more sturdy why avoid it?

So with that I'm taking a step back to re-evaluate the infrastructure and space my layout is being built in.  Specifically, I'm looking to these 3 items:

Walls -- Build real, 2x4, stud walls for the layout to live in and on.  Doing so grants to the layout:

• The backdrop can be mounted on a real, stable, sturdy surface
• The layout sections can be converted into true shelf modules without a need for independent legs (the leg 2x2 wood will be recycled into shelf mounts!)
• A sturdy place to mount a valance should I choose that route
• Future bonus of being able to add a door (with a lock?) or otherwise have realistic way to limit access to the layout by pets or children

Lighting -- Install real lighting.  By that I mean track lighting with diffused CFL bulbs on a dimmer.  Hire an electrician to pull in the lights to their own circuit and write up a separate dimmer just for them.

Flooring -- Investigate options for a more finished floor.  Perhaps subfloor + outdoor carpet or garage-style tile flooring or something that provides some kind of cushion and is comfortable to stand on for 1+ hours.

While these things aren't exciting, are really more house-like, and really have nothing to do specifically with building a layout I feel they're crucial "foundation" pieces that if done right will really help the construction of the layout in the long run.