Building my own briefcase layout

I see that Rokuhan is coming out with a nice small brief case layout, but $999 MSRP? So I did some shopping and decided to build my own BETTER and BIGGER (well, not much) briefcase layout and am sharing with you nice people.
Since retiring at the end of June 2017, I have a lot more time to build stuff. I have already built the two cigar box layouts, but only very short engines and cars will run on them. So instead of the 13" wide case, I am going for the 18" x 13" case. $56 on Amazon. The track is about $85, but has two switches. Went with Rokuhan track and used Anyrail for the track plan. The plan should fit, but if it is too wide, I have gotten pretty good at cutting out short sections of straight track to get it to fit if needed.
So first the track plan:

 

It will be capable of running DC or DCC. The layout will be wired up with three blocks for DC so a train could be parked on the main or siding. When DCC will be used, all tracks will be powered (of course).
The brief case:

 

Stripped out most of the insides:

 

The actual track sitting on the 1:1 scale Anyrail printout:

 

That is as far as I have gotten so far. I will attach the layout to the case with Velcro so I can remove it to work on it. Working on installing thin wood sides inside the case edges. The bottom won't matter and I will get a picture to put in the lid. The outside track radius is 127mm R019, inside is 120mm R011. The switches may be powered, but I am trying to make it portable (self powered).

 

Very cool, look forward to more.

 

If you look closely at the last picture, you can see the foundations of four buildings that will go on the layout.
I have so far:
log cabin
gas station
small train depot
gun store (he he)

 

Thinking of hinging the layout to the back. So to get to supplies stored underneath or to work on wiring, just swing up the front. Need to check clearances on the lid.

 

It looks like you're using the 55mm turnouts. Have you run your intended rolling stock through them? I found only a small number of my rolling stock passed through them reliably.

 

Working on it. The track came in yesterday and as long as a F-7 will run, short cars are okay.

 

Cut a piece of plywood for the layout and had to notch it for the hinges. But it should work flush with the top of the case bottom and still leave me some scenery space and lots of storage under the track. Put some short cars on the track and they will pass each other from the siding and the main.

 

Very cool, I like your choice of buildings

 

Tried the MTL F-7 and it works through the switches. Just makes it through the smaller radius curve - yay!

 

The gun store was a must.

 

Have always been thinking about a layout in a briefcase, but didn't know how to attache the layout. And what about the wires? I look forward to see your solutions and progress.

 

I am planning on hinging the layout at the back so it can swing up to work underneath. Since the whole bottom of the case will pretty well be empty, I can store trains underneath. The wiring will be run underneath over to the hinge area and will probably have a large plug so the layout could be unplugged from the bottom. I may make it so that the layout could be removed from the case for working on scenery.

 

If you Turn the Briefcase upside down and build the layout in the lid it will give you more height for scenery

 

And fall over. Thanks for the thought, about 3" of clearance should be plenty. Need to measure that lid...

 

Measured the lid and just under 2". Measured the height of the Gun Store and it is 1" tall. It should work out, just no cell tower.