I will be rebuilding and expanding my layout soon, and was planning on having a removable staging yard, on locking casters, that can be rolled and locked into position when the layout is operating, but then slid out of the way when need be. (There is a requirement to be able to access a area that would be blocked if the staging yard was permanent. So, if it was movable it could be slid out of the way, when that access is needed.)
The area would need weekly access, and the staging yard would be approx. 6 feet long by 3 feet wide.
It would really only need to be “spun” off to the side, as the layout would be “L” shaped, with the staging yard coming off the short side of the L to make a almost “U” shape, with the staging yard being shorter in length than the opposite side.
I was figuring on a solid top-style in cabinet grade plywood, with a table style construction.
I would have help to move it, if needed, but it would roll on the casters enough that I figured with its smaller size, I could roll it out the way for the access myself.
If you can swing it instead of completely remove it - put it on casters, but attach it to one corner of the layout with a hinge, You can swing/roll it out of the way when needed, and the hinge will help the horizontal alignment. I KNOW I’ve seen this done (right down to the wheels) somewhere before.
A friend has a car ferry which he uses as a staging yard. It’s on casters, so can be rolled completely out of the way. If I recall correctly, he uses barrel bolts to secure it when the ferry is docked.
Randy’s idea of using a hinge to simply swing it out of the way is a good one, especially for maintaining alignment.
That seems impractical. If you construct a 6’x3’ staging area in hinged fashion to swing out of the way when not in use, that would require an overall 9’x9’ space to accommodate the staging area.
I dunno, Rich. If the staging area is 6’x3’, then it needs only a 6’x3’ area into which it can be swung. The hinge won’t change 18 square feet into 81 square feet.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if the staging area is hinged and has to swing 90 degrees to join the layout, there is a lot more space required, essentially a 9’x9’ space to accommodate the area needed to swing the hinged staging area into place when you consider the overall footprint. Maybe only 6’x9’ if you disregard the adjacent layout space that is part of this whole effort.
What is the capacity of the yard? Is it practical to move the trains on to the fixed layout and then back again when the yard is replaced? This would let you use a fold down or fold up section instead of a large table on casters that had to be kept flat and level.
You will need to have some solid legs and a smooth floor. Wooden legs will work themselves loose after awhile. I suggest making the frame and legs out of metal. Use large casters also.
I used to work at a restaurant that had a stainless steel table that size in the kitchen which was moved daily. A table like that would work nicely for a movable staging yard.
The staging yard would be twofold, it would hold staged trains, but also serve as a place to have “excess” equipment “off layout” at times.
While I have a couple of “display shelves”, I have a few trains that are cycled on and off regularly, so this would serve as a way to have them readily accessable, but not take up any “on-layout” trackage.
As far as track alignment, if I made a “cut-out” section, where either the staging yard, or the layout itself, can slide over/under, and lock it in place with a carriage bolt (or two), much like a lift out would have, there shouldn’t be any alignment issues. (Or am I off one that?)
I also will have it in a fully climate controlled room, heat in winter and AC in summer, so swelling and shrinkage should not be as big of an issue, especially as all the wood will be sealed.
If not done already, I suggest you do a search for Fillmore Avenue Roundhouse. Look thru its web site and learn how it’s moveable staging consoles are used. It’s an extensive site so be sure you find, read, and see the consoles/modules. It could provide some great ideas for your staging yard. This layout was featured in one of Kalmbach’s annuals (“Great” or “Planning”) a few years ago. The design and operation of the system is very interesting.