Hi Sean,
Have a look at http://www.freetrackplans.com they have lots of track plans for 8 x 4. Also an upper level would work well. You could have a terminus station on the upper level which would break up the lower level taking the train set look away from it.
We do an 8 x 4 in 3 sections including legs for €290 if your interested, it can be made into 4 or 5 sections if access is a problem.
Best of luck with it:tumbsup: