Generally, how long should a yard switch engines lead track be? The track’s location on the diagram is between the letters b and c on the left side. This is ho scale and my yards r/d track will hold about 8 or 9 cars.
Thanks,
JaRRell
Ideally the lead track needs to be as long as the longest cut of cars you intend to switch at a time. Not much of an answer, huh? If you longest yard track holds 9 cars, you’d want the lead to be at least that long - but potentially longer because you might handle a cut of 15 cars and divide them up among the yard tracks.
–Randy
My understanding is that it must be at least as long as the entire train length that can fit in your longest yard ladder track. In other words, if a switcher and 10 cars is what you can get past the switch and still not impact the bumper at the end of the stub, but not another car, then that is how long your lead should be.
I hope I don’t need remedial yard design.
Ok, thanks fellas. I think I’m going to make it as long as I can get away with. Don’t they say size DOES count? [:D]
JaRRell
In this case, size is EVERYTHING! That lead should be as long as the longest TRAIN that will ever originate/terminate there, including the ones that will be split and doubled into two yard tracks, plus a little cushion so the yardman won’t have to wonder if the last set of wheels is actually clear of the turnout points.
OMHO, there is no such thing as a yard lead that is too long.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)