Having installed a new crossover with the intention of running passenger trains, I am now concentrating on adding a cassette fiddle yard at each end of the layout, to enable trains to enter at one end and leave the scenic area at the other.
The previous fiddle yard was located midway along the layout meaning trains could only enter the layout, move around the yard and depart using the same track that it had entered on.
To get the trains off the layout at the West end requires the removal of a building and some major track realignment, before creating a new scenic block to hide the hole in the backscene.
Here is the progress so far after the track and building have been ripped out.
First, a before shot
The same shot after the work
Some overall views
Next job is to relay the track and add the ballast.
Sadist! I saw the title of this topic and I was afraid to open it. Why? It’s difficult to watch and condone you tearing up your brilliant work! Heck, the new crossovers were hard enough to bear! Actually, the bare plywood really spotlights the incredible work that you have done scenicking your layout. And I cannot wait to see how the new yards enhance your layout’s operation, just like the crossover.
I second Terry’s “demand” for a track plan![soapbox]
I sure like the dingy industrial effect you get with your dingy industrial buildings. Makes me feel like the mob is up to something close by,and to get out before the shootin starts. Taking out the building was something you had to do. Build or die.
Great modeling and wonderful imagery, Jon. How long had you played with this concept, and what precipitated it? Was it just the passenger thing? Now that you are underway, are you rocket-assisted? [:P]
Track has now been laid and ballasted. I’ve also managed to get the first coat of paint on.
Also in the photos are the re-arranged building and smoke stack, which will serve as most of the scenic view block to hide the exit to the fiddle yard.
Next jobs on the list are to weather the track and tarmac several areas, before adding some weeds and fencing.
After exhibiting the layout last year, I felt the central fiddle yard limited operation by clogging up the layout when a train arrived or departed. The end to end yards originally came from wanting to run my B&O doodlebug without having to reverse it.
Good music seems to speed things along nicely. This week I am listening to my RUSH back-catalogue in preparation for seeing the band next week.
Jon, beautiful work as always. I am very inspired by your layout, and am always glad to see when you have new work to show.
Have you considered adding loops for continuous running? The reason I ask is because I’m considering a sectional-style layout, much like yours. I could make a much more realistic section of track (like yours) without having return loops.
Do you ever feel the desire for continuous running? I’m Not sure if I will or not.
I’ve also considered using DCC auto-reversing units to be able to see something moving all the time, without having to take up the space of large curves.
P.S. I’ve seen Rush on every tour since Roll The Bones. Missed the Snakes & Arrows, however
I always enjoy your spectacular photographs and modeling. You had me frightened for a minute with the subject line! Anway, it looks absolutely fantastic.
Projects like these are an excellent way to simultaneously maintain interest in an otherwise completed layout while improving operations. Good show!
Always looking forward to seeing more of your work…
This board was the first one I completed scenically a couple of years ago and had the least amount of detailling on it. It is also the least viewed area of the layout, being a dead end, and as such, there was mo motivation to get anything done to it.
Now that the trains will run beyond the Engineering works, there will be a lot more activity in this area, increasing the amount of interest from viewers.
Jon, your layout photos are always awesome. That pipe bridge is something that I’ll reference…i’m looking to make one like that for my paper mill…
Well, if you’re working on your west side of Chicago, hope you’re working while listening to Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Fenton Robinson…maybe even Melvin Taylor. West Side Chicago Blues…! [;)]
Point to point. I’ll cover the construction of the cassette fiddle yards next week, when I get down to them. A continuous run would be too much of a temptation for me to just watch the trains run instead of switching.
My only continuous run is my test track, which I use to run-in my loco motors and mechanisms.
