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Tip 1: Plan, Plan, Plan.  You should spend at least as much time planning as building.  I started planning in 1997 for my layout and broke ground in 2000.  I learned so much in those three years, I can't imagine have starting any earlier.  In those 3 years I did things that didn't require planning, so that once the track is laid down progress will go quickly.  You can build structures, locomotives, etc as you plan the layout.  Painting people and small details and storing them until needed makes your layout really progress quickly.

Tip 2: Build in modules.  I use 3, 4, or 5 foot sections of varying width.  The modules can then be disconnected and moved if need be.  Below are two sections butted up against each other.

Tip 3:  Drill holes in your cross beams.  This will allow you to put wires inside the holes so they don't dangle below the layout.  Below you can see I drill three 3/4 inch holes in the cross beams.

 
 

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