The layout will occupy a fairly small space.

The layout will occupy a space of approx 150cm by 300cm tapering down to 20cm at its far end. I used a commercial software package to design the track layout to fit such a space and then sent the resultant plan to PEKO who manufacture model track and they advised about its wiring. 

This is the link to the layout planning software, Anyrail.

http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

Using photocopies of actual pieces of track I drew out the layout full-size on newspapers. Enough space has been left around the platform area to create a French-style townscape or diorama.

I also laid down some lengths of track and simply drew around them.

This next photograph very clearly shows the shape of the baseboard that will be cut from plywood.