I have started to rework the layout to become a contemporary light industry area.
First test steps are:
1. Replace the west end industry with a lumber dealer. Plain PikeStuff buildings (on order) will be used
2. Replace the very old east end industry with the more modern west end industry temporary
3. Replace the center buildings blocking the view with a scrap yard
4. Replace the old background brick building with the modern Walthers Bud Trucking (on order)
Reasons are
1. I have to admit that the brick buildings are extreme beautiful but they are simple not my style of a layout
2. The brick canyon looks great but continuous switching with limited sight becomes a pain after some time
3. I prefer overall light friendly colors over the old dominating brick brown
4. I retire in 11 days ....
The removed styrene structures are saved and could be pit back if the plan does not work at all. The Downtown Deco buildings are untouched in the first step. They are to delicate to be removed, stored on the floor and possibly put back. I intend to put them in a wardrobe in the basement after I freed up some space.
I will rework and detail the layout from west to east (right to left). No track rework is planned so far.
First operating session in the free space viewed from my chair