I’ve read the links and articles on “Staging” from a topic back at the General Discussion page regarding staging. My layout is 7’ by 12’ HO and I found that I can add an additional 2.5’ by 7’ to add and I need a place to park trains. I thought about a yard but the more I read on the subject of staging, the more sense it makes to add one. Since my layout is straight with no “L’s” would it be perferable to add a staging area parallel to the layout or make an “L” with the staging piece? As well, my open area for construction is near the front of the layout where spectators view, is it ok to place the staging area in view and scenic it? Lastly, are there some pics/sites available with staging…the articles are great though I need to see some staging to get a good feel for it. Some post mention that this is done, just want to cross my T’s and dot my I’s before constructing the extra leg. All in all I feel that my layout is pretty small compared to a lot of yours and never thought much about staging but I’ve got a few extra feet to play with and plenty of trains I need to park.
I wrote an article What is Staging and Why do I need it? It has several examples of staging at the end. Read this before reading the rest of my answers to put them in context. It will take about 2 minutes.
The cool thing about staging is that it doesn’t matter if it an L or parallel.
What is important?
How does it attach to the layout in terms of operation? Staging represents the rest of the world. Where it attaches to the layout determines the flow of goods. So ask yourself, how does placing staging affect my schematic?
How does it interface with the layout? Does it easily allow you to go both directions? Sometimes you have to back into or out of a staging yard. That is okay, but if it is not necessary…
How do you create the illusion of rest of the world. Ideally, staging would be both hidden and easily accessible. The other side of a backdrop or wall is ideal.
Can you turn the train and engine or do you have to fiddle?
Thanks Chip, I did read your article in fact a few days ago. I’m mainly concerned with being able to see the staging area since I’ve got such a small layout. I did get a lot ideas out of it, and in fact your article got me thinking about adding one.
A quick note, notice placing double ended staging tracks inside a reversing loop and connecting the loop to the rest of the layout with a wye (three turnouts) will meet both requirements. The storing and retreiving of trains could probably be somewhat automated by using spring turnouts, short braking blocks, and operating the loop in one direction, say clockwise.
Think of the trains as actors, you want your actors to be able to play multiple roles during a play (operating session) and to enter the stage from either side (stage right or left).