IN THE YARDS PT8

Gen-set 300 returns from Pete's Plastics with HLP21 and a string of empty plastic pellet hoppers.

The train has double the usual number of hopper cars, as the holiday season brings a increased demand for plastic bottles and flatware.

On the tail end, are a pair of LPG tank cars and a pair of empty centerbeam flatcars from Smitty Lumber. Fall is also a busy time for the local LPG distributor, as it is used as a heating source; in gaseous form, it is called propane.

Also busy is Johnson Foods; here a string of reefers rolls in from Dale City on train DCL9.

More on-going track work has resulted in more replaced ties. While many are removed in pieces, some are still good enough to salvage and re-sell to the public. The local building supply dealer makes good money selling these to the public; one area resident is reportedly building a storage shed with these!

DOWNTOWN CHANGES PT2

Continuing the ongoing changes downtown...

A view of the west end of downtown.

The center.

The east end, the business district.

Now, the center has been re-arranged! I felt that the big engineering building was a better fit on the business end of town, with the smaller buildings taking center stage. I also re-arranged some of the smaller buildings and added a new one.

A closer look at the block. This now has more of a small town feel, with an old pickup to match.

The new business is the Perfect Perk Cafe, a new coffee house ready to serve those who need some help to wake up in the morning!

DOWNTOWN CHANGES, PT1

Downtown has seen some changes lately. Let's follow them...

Two small buildings start off between two larger industrial-sized buildings. Note, however, that you can still see the train behind them.

Now, they are joined by Midtown Appliance Sales and Service, helping to fill the space and hide the tracks (and trains) otherwise visible along the back of the layout.

Now, two more buildings have been added, including Tenth World Comics, which was relocated from Market St. between the corner market and the parking garage.

And now, the one industrial building - one-half of the former Armstrong Electric from the old layout set-up - has been moved yet again, now farther down the street. Now, the block looks more like one found in an eastern town, with smaller buildings for small, family-owned businesses near the center of the city.

Lastly, to celebrate Veteran's Day with my fellow vets; here's a specially painted boxcar honoring the various branches of the military, including the Coast Guard and the National Guard.

And, the AP&W's POW/MIA car. Happy Veteran's Day!

TOWN LIFE PT5

Traffic rolls along Market Street on a quiet afternoon.

It's quiet on Main Street as well.

With the light traffic on the road, and comfortable temperatures, the pastor and his wife sit outside the church and watch the grass get cut. Meanwhile, several women go about their errands on foot.

Christie's Pet Supply has a big new sign hung over the door; if it doesn't catch passerby's eyes, then nothing will!

A recently completed project by the city was a sidewalk up and over the bridge. Now, even pedestrians can leave town!