How do you define a yard? This is from an oldtime railhead.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

How do you define a yard? This is from an oldtime railhead.

f-unit Posted: 12-11-2011 4:13 PM Reply More

A yard is a place with alot of switchs, and it’s run by a bunch of son’s of b’ itch’s , you can never get in and you can never get out, that what’s a yard is all about.

2

Three feet…

or 36 inches…

or 1/1760th of a mile…

3

On a model RR, a yard can be different things as I see it.

  1. An INTERCHANGE yard that swaps cars beteen two or more railroads on your layout.

  2. A CLASSIFICATION yard that is used to receive trains, switch the cars to different tracks to make up out going trains, and then send those trains out on their run.

  3. A STAGING yard. This is a yard that is used to simulate points beyond the model railroad that the train either goes to or comes from.

4

f unit: I define a yard as two or more tracks for the purpose of classification, termination or origination of trains. Even one track, in my opinion, could be defined as a yard, if this track is used for the above. A yard does not necessarily have to have fueling facilities or a yard office and it can be out in the middle of nowhere. Many times a yard is used for interchange with another railroad and may be small.

5

Whatever is between the YARD LIMITS signs, or defined as such in the Employee Timetable.

For other answers, see the Layout Forum.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

6

Agreed, 100%, There is no other definition. Any others are just model railroadisms and don’t count. [:)]

7

Yup. Sure to ruffle a few feathers but true. EDIT - yes it applies to the main track only as per Dave H. below, but the rest of what you might call a “yard” really isn’t subject to a formal definition.

I’ve seen variations on the OP “definition” as well.

8

Actually no.

Yard limits do not require the presence of a yard and the presence of a yard does not require yard limits. Yard limits do not apply to yard tracks. Yard limits only apply to the main track.

9

The simplest definition, other than the two humorous ones, is the one railroads have been using for the last hundred years or so:

Yard - a system of tracks within defined limits used for the making of trains, storing of cars and other purposes over which movements not authorized by timetable or train orders may be made. (traditional)

Yard - A system of tracks used for the making up of trains and storing cars and other purposes. (modern)

So if I have more than one track and I make up trains or store cars on those tracks, then I have a yard.

10

Absolutely!

Even a former passing track can be used as a “yard” by a shortline.

Also some railroads has “transfer yards” where cars and in some cases complete trains is interchanged.

11

I kind of like the OPs, where it’s hard to get in or out.

12

“You put your box car in. You put your box car out. You put your box car in and you switch it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and turn yourself around. That’s what its all about.”

A yard is a large area of tracks in front or behind the enghine house where the trains can play.

A yard is the area where locomotives can get exercise going back and forth between assignments.