New Year Updates

The New Year is upon us and we have some railroad updates. Preparation continues for the complete redesign and reconstruction of our layout as we move it downstairs to our basement. The majority of these updates deal with buildings and vehicles at the layout. We have also rearranged some track as we experiment with the larger-radius curve track that we acquired in 2002.

A second flatbed tow truck has been added to Eric's Auto's arsenal. It and the original flatbed have been painted a dark blue to match the hook and chain tow truck. The car wash and service structure has also been cleaned and repainted and has had its handle and old labeling removed. A full body shop and enlarged gas service is expected to be added to Eric's Auto with the new layout.	We have decided that the new layout will use only realistic buildings and structures. As such, there will likely be no more cardboard box buildings. The Holiday Inn complex and skyscraper have been taken to the basement for scrap, and the Apple Store has been put in its place. Legoland Fairgrounds has also been dismantled, with the space now being used mostly as a parking lot.
A refurbished Fred's Café has been put in the former location of the Apple Store. The building that has previously served as a Food Lion and as a Sears will likely be used as a body shop for Eric's Auto on the new layout.	A much larger number of vehicles will be used on the new layout, and many of them are currently being stored at the former location of the junkyard. The water tower has also been moved from Eric's Auto to the Crossings.
The northern end of the layout has been slightly reworked. A siding has been added between the inner and outer loops. Also, 8-foot-radius or "R3" curve track has replaced 4-foot-radius or "R1" curve track and straight track on the northwestern part of the outer loop.	This larger-radius curve track will be used extensively in the new, larger layout. It is more realistic and it almost required for the pictured Santa Fe GE-U25B. That engine is sitting on a reworked siding that now connects to an outlet on the turntable. All rolling stock can now be placed on track.