RebelRed, you're not alone. I'm also about to start a layout and have the same concerns and needs as you. The hobby is not cheap. The prudent modeler, while being able to increase the complexity and improve the functional and aesthetic appearance of any layout over time, needs to start on some foundation that can be relied upon, on which to build everything else. Some experienced modelers may no longer recall what is is like to be at the very infancy of a modeling hobby and what seems intuitively basic to most may not be so to some of us.
I understand they initial comments on this thread and the fora are a great medium even at this point to help guide us on what we want to incorporate into any layout (I've had to ask several "stupid" questions on here already with great input from the members). David, while I understand there may be no bible per se for all of this, I appreciate your recommendations regarding the initial request.