I really wanted to build at ground level but an aging father who wants to come play trains and living in a semi-commercial property prevented this. we took the option to build boards outside
(boards because if we had to move the business we could move the boards too)
A year on and we`re getting on very well with our Landlord
(his son loves driving our trains) so we possibly could have built at ground level. I actually think raised boards are more expensive than raised brick/stone because you still need to find a way of making the boards look pretty - whether you clad them or buy plants.
All that said Dad isn`t getting younger and after spending 4 months in hospital last year with Pancreatitis my wounds mean I have problems lifting and reaching so the raised level helps.
When the boards get beyond regular maintaince/repairs I`d love to build in some nice raised stone walled areas.
We built the boards wide to help save any derailments and because my father is insistent this be a 7/8ths railway.... but I keep buying LGB!!

(Broken lawnmower explains the long grass :

)
The hedge in the photo with the temporary station was already part of the garden. In other places i`m trying to grow hardy perennials that spread well. But in places I am going to have to build fences... which is not cheap so if anyone has any suggestions!