Good job. Okay, let me process all that information! 30 x 6 is awesome space to work with! I wish I had that much.
Anyways, you're going to want to get out a piece of paper, and make a scale drawing of what you want. I usually get a small piece of paper to think out what major types of scenery I want(Mountains, rivers/lakes), and the track design. Then, I get a large piece of posterboard, make a scale(I usually do 1/2 foot for every 5 feet), and start detailing your basic layout. First, start with mountains and rivers, add track, add trees and streets/parkinglots, then add sidewalks, sewers, and buildings. Keep in mind to make everything to scale with the size of track(O in your case).
Since you're a first timer, I would start fairly small. You can always go back and add later. I try to incorperate track rather than scenery. You can do streets and models, but lay off the big things like rivers, streams, and sidewalks.
Since you have such a big area to work with, I would make a large figure 8 to go across the track. Then, I would take a circle, and go under the figure 8. Then you can add sidings and other items(Cross-overs, cross-unders, shortcuts). It should keep you entertained.
As far as making the layout, you're going to need to spend quite a bit of money at the hardware store. Determine how tall you are, and how high off the ground you want the layout. Then, buy enough 2 x 4s to stick 4 in every 5 x 6 square(Look below at paint diagram, 2x 4s in RED). Also, buy enough 2 x 4s to connect every vertical post(See diagram). Then, you're going to want to buy 5/8 in. plywood boards. I would also get a bunch of 2 in. screws. NO NAILS!!! You also need a 2 x 4 to go around the perimeter of the whole board to allow mounting places for switches and transformers. Draw a diagram and figure out where you need power connections for the track itself and switchers motors. Drill small holes there so can route wires through there easily.
For scenery, I would recommend the Woodland Scenics Subterrain foam system. Again, to make it nice, you're going to have to dish out some cash(I spent $300 furnishing my 4 x 8 HO layout!).
http://www.woodlandscenics.com/index.htm Go to Foam and click " Subterrian Foam System". I would also get the DVD "
SubTerrain: Build A Layout Fast and Easy" to aid you along the way.
If you need clerification, ask for it, or PM me. I'd also like you to PM you your address to send you an issue of model railroader that had some good build tips in it.
P.S. .21, HO is smaller.
.....any suggestion???
