OVERSIZED MOVEMENT

Hillsdale sees a fair amount of 'special movement' trains due to the relatively generous clearances of the line through town.

An "extra-clearance" special movement passes through town with an industrial cooling unit. The extra gondolas on either end of the train are 'idler' cars added to improve the train's handling while in transit (extra weight and braking).

The car is a depressed-center flatcar, designed for carrying excess-height loads. This industrial load is also extra-wide, so careful routing is needed to get it to it's final destination without side-swiping anything along the way!

As is usually the case on special movements, a manned caboose brings up the rear. Along with locals, special movement trains are the only other trains that still merit cabooses.

Back in the M.O.W. parking lot, Jake heads over to the yard tractor to get started on the day's work. At the other end of Hillsdale Yard is a trailer park where semi-trailers are stored when not in use. Many are used trailers awaiting resale or lease, others are stored due to the slow business
environment.

A trailer is pulled from storage. Sold to a local contractor, it will be used for storage purposes itself!

LAYOUT UPDATE

A new business has arrived on Market St. Tenth World Comics is now in place and open for business! Reportedly, the two upstairs apartments will soon be up for rent.


As you can see, the new building is between the parking garage and the Super Market, filling in this area quite nicely.

Another spot that has been filled in is the area beside the hotel. Thanks to the 'planting' of trees, the open area has become a woodland, helping to hide the trains as they come into -and out of- the back of the layout and also helping to make the layout look a little bigger.

Also helping to hide the trains along the back of the layout is this new group of trees visible between the Delta Building and the Bradley Building, actually placed behind both. Just tall enough to hide the tallest rolling stock, they not only help to add depth to the scene, but also some 'environmentally correct' greenery to the city!

What's next for the layout? I plan to at least finish the backdrop. I would also like to cover up the visible gap in the backdrop behind downtown (see above photo) with a tall building flat. Some more scenery/buildings along the back half of the layout would also be nice. And my ultimate goal is to add working street lights!