Update on Mall Layout

   Carl and Ralph gave me an update on the Mall to pass along to the members regarding our layout for this year.  This year the Mall has decided to eliminate the two smaller trees on either side of Santa and keep the one large tree behind Santa Claus.   That gives us two new 1 foot high platforms to work with. As I understand it, Norm will be in charge of decorating one for the Circus theme and the other will be used for a Lionel theme which Arthur Handman will coordinate.  Ralph has gone full speed ahead on building trestles.  He has built over 120 trestles.  Half of them are low trestles which are approx 1 foot high.  He has an equal number of high trestles which are approx 2 feet high.  The above diagram shows them as the green (2nd Level) and the red (3rd Level) tracks.  So we will have two elevated lines crisscrossing our double main lines. Ralph is also building roadbed for the elevated lines.
   Denneth Lee and Ralph have both offered the use of their bridges.  There are plans I believe to paint all the visible plywood deck and risers white.   Ralph is going to stain the trestles a brown or grey color for contrast.
   Dick Rubin has offered to buy a Thomas train set which the Club can use for the display.  We can alternate it with the one we do own already so that we will be able to keep them running through out the display.  Plus he ordered a Percy and a James train set which we can also alternate.  The result will be a display that has Thomas and one of his friends running together  at the same time on the high trestle line.  They will take turns automatically stopping and starting each other.

  So That is part of the plan for this year.  More Trains, Bigger layout, more action, bridges and tunnels.  More buildings and we hope even more fun for all of us!