This is the entire P&W layout (minus most of the skirting) prior to the 2006-08 expansion project. Everything was working fine,

 

BUT, (and this was a big but), it was boring!

 

Only one train could run effectively on this layout. How could we have two trains running at the same time without tearing up the entire layout and starting from scratch? After many ideas were discarded, I finally settled on an independent inner track that would tie in with the existing layout.

 

We decided to construct an "island" in the middle space with a removable insert to allow access to the entire layout, old and new sections. The island would also contain new freight yards.

 

The old freight yards on near right portion of the picture would be removed to make space for another town.

The Original Layout