Hey Stoker, that is a good idea about the cabinets. My problem is I only have about 16" to work with. I am 6'9" (I should say I was, I've lost some height from my back problems). My concern is that it would block my vision or I would hit my head if I exceed 16". I will look into cheap cabinets for below my HO layout, that is an excellent idea!
I wish you well with that kitchen, that can be tedious work, but with your experience you should be fine. I bet your wife loves it! I would imagine she wants it done by thanksgiving. If it were me I would be expecting some cookies and pies soon after you get done.
Hey Ken, I am not concerned about dropping things onto my layout because my thought was to have my upper shelf mirror the size and shape of my layout. When bringing things off the shelf momentum should carry it out away from the layout. There is always the chance I could fumble and push it back onto the layout, but that is a risk I am willing to live with.
My space under my layout is almost completely full. I used my daughters old hardwood bedroom set for storage on the perimeter under my layout and I store boxes on the floor in between. I am not thrilled at crawling under her old vanity to access the center storage area, but it is a good use of the space. My O-gauge layout is 12.5'X6.5'.
An easy solution would be to stop buying train stuff, but that is not going to happen any time soon.