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The fiddle yard (staging)

 

 

The fiddle yard is an important part of the layout : during an operating session, it plays a role that is just as important as the sidings and the loop on the scenic location.

 

Trains start from and arrive at the fiddle yard. Cars are formed into new trains ready to depart for the scenic section and similarly other trains are received and re-marshalled. The use of the fiddle yard can be likened to the off stage area in the wings at the theatre.

 

I’ve chosen to build my fiddle yard as a turntable with five tracks. The three central roads can each hold a locomotive and 4 to 6 cars, whilst the two outer tracks are shorter and can take only a locomotive or a railcar. 

 

Two big catches are used to lock the turntable after rotation and supply the electricity to the correct track. This method means there is no additional wiring or electrical switches, and makes it easy to rotate the table or isolate a locomotive.

 

At the rear beneath the turntable there is a small drawer in which cars not in use can be stored during an operating sequence.