Been almost a month since adding anything here, so thought I would just let those interested that the layout is still an ongoing project and hasn't been abandoned. With the weather we have been having, I have spent more time doing the "outside" stuff and trying to enjoy it (the weather) for as long as possible before being "confined" to the great "indoors".
As such, I am still clearing out the old HO bench work, a little at a time. I didn't realise just how securely I had put that in and has resulted in me having to cut it apart in sections for its removal. I have about 1/3rd of it to get out now before I can start on the physical room clean up - fixing some of the walls where the old plaster attached, a few holes I created getting the old out and re painting for a fresh new look. Trying to find some where for all of the excess stuff I have accumulated is presenting a bit of a challenge as well.
Anyway, as said, it hasn't been abandoned and is moving forward, albeit slowly.