Last time I worked on my layout I had exactly the same thoughts!

I made things a little easier for myself by setting the height of the layout such that I can sit on the floor under it and the bottom of the baseboards just clears the top of my head. Even so, it is literally a pain in the neck!

The best solution is to be able to swing the boards up or down through 90 degrees so that you are working on a vertical surface. I've done this with a small extension I made to the layout which is a 'plug-in' module. I can unplug it from the rest of the layout and lift it up until it's leaning against the wall behind, making wiring a doddle! The buildings and vehicles on this module are all removeable and everything else, like people and trees etc are glued down.

The issue of short cable lengths is one that always comes up. My solution for that is to extend all wires on the workbench before placing on the layout. You'd be suprised how easy it is to do this, if we remember to do it before rushing into installing our accessories in their final places!

Economy version by another forum member (with test driver):

Source:
https://www.marklin-user...ut--Version-2#post509944

I dont try to screw wires into those plugs under the layout, nor do I try to solder there.

Much easier system is to use Scotchlock UY connectors. The turnout, light, signal or s88 wires from the top side of the layout are threaded down through a small hole to underneath. There the wire is simply connected to the longer cable going off to the k83/k84/s88/signal module as needed. no need to strip the wires even, just push them into the Scotchlock button and close them with a pair of pliers.

For track wiring I use Scotchlock tap and run connectors to tap into an insulated bus wire. Pics at http://layout.mixmox.com/1/20020224Wiretaps

Lie on your side on the carpet and close the eye furthest from the carpet. You will see a lot of things that you didn't realise were there, but it often makes it easy to see dropped items, especially if they are of a colour that matches the floor colour.

Another trick is to put an old stocking (without holes!) over the end of a vacuum cleaner, and run the vacuum over the carpet. The stocking stops the screws disappearing into the cleaner and then you have to tip all the dirt out.