Why I needed a Staging Yard (with pics)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I currently have an HO shelf layout that occupies an 11X7 work room. I just finished laying down the last piece of track and noticed that my “roundy round” as you Brits like to call them, needed something more.

This is where I turned to the “staging yard” to add some operational interest.

Before picture of the Yard in progress. 1/2" homosote board laid over plywood with drywall joint compound covering the screw heads.

After picture…I was also able to add another industry spur and lengthen a 12" spur to over 4’.

Pic with trains…

The staging yard has really made the layout much more fun to operate. No more 5 finger dropping of trains onto the layout. Now I need how to figure out a simple car card bill system[:)]

Oh, and yes I know the pictures stink. I’m shooting with a Canon A40 2mp with NO closeup or macro adjustments possible. I’m thinking of flying Jeffery out here to take pics for me[:)]

That is unless any of you would like to send me a nice Canon Si5 digital camera LOL.

2

Thanks for sharing the pics. I have been having the same dilema and have now started planning the addition of staging to my layout-in-progress. A portion of my layout ends right next to my workbench so I’ve planned a removable section, 2x4’ that hold three staging tracks and rests on top of the workbench. When I need the full room of the workbench I can just remove the staging section. This setup will also allow it to double as a test track when working on locos. My plan is to have one of the three tracks insulated and connected to a switch allowing me to toggle between, dc & dcc for testing.

3

The addition of your staging yard should add nicely to the enjoyment of the layout. One thing I can’t tell from the pics is if it is stub tracks or through track staging? The base is nicely done. Filling in the screw holes is an often missed step, but makes for a nicely finished look.

Regarding car cars, the are some MS Access database files for car cards, engines, industries I’ve downloaded from somewhere that might interest you.

Thanks,

jktrains

4

There are many great car cards/waybills tools on the Car Cards & Waybills Yahoo group, including the access database files you mention.

check it out here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarCards/

5

Nope, just stub tracks. I’ve got a 20’ section I could use on the other side of the layout, but Ping Pong is more important right now for that area [:D]

I’ve got a car card waybill system that I’ve downloaded from someone in an excel spreadsheet but it is quite confusing. I’d like to know the basics of a car card waybill system.

6

That is very nice… one little suggestion…

A plate of thin but strong plexiglass on the edge of that trains, it might keep them from taking the big drop to the floor.

A car card system is very easy. It’s the learning that is the stressful part.

Boxcar empty at widgets company. To be picked up by a local, sent to the yard for re-classifying into a outbound train due to leave for wherever.

When that boxcar gets to wherever, the card is moved to hold slot for one session being loaded with widgets.

The next cycle of the card shows it loaded with widgets and destination your layout to the widgets company.

It will arrive from staging to your yard to be sorted to a local train for final delivery to the widget company.

7

The plexiglass is there. It may be hard to see though because of the idiot taking those lousy pictures.