When space at the Model Railroader offices for former project railroads became a problem, I moved the Olympia to my basement and drew plans for an expansion. I drafted several options, including one that made the layout L-shaped. Eventually I opted to simply extend the railroad in a straight line with a second 22" x 78" shadow box, effectively doubling its size.
The 13-foot run of the new Olympia provides space for all the things I couldn’t fit into the first version, including a small sawmill, an engine service track, a trestle, and a logging camp. It also has extensive new trackwork and includes run-around spots on both the upper and lower levels. While I was at it, I replaced the 23" sector plate with a 31" model. The new, larger plate allows for switching longer trains between staging and the running tracks. It can hold a locomotive, three log cars, and a caboose.