The Fiddle-Yard
To operate a point-to-point layout with just one station needs a fiddle yard to simulate the rest of the world/layout. As I'll operate only short local trains on my home layout, I set up some consists on my workbench and figured out that I'll be happy with 2 foot long staging spurs.
The photo above shows freight trains with 4 50' and 5 40' cars plus caboose as a 3 car passenger also. It's possible to run a mixed local with one passenger, baggage und two freight cars. All consists will fit into two foot spurs. These train consists are a good looking size for my home layout with short sidings and just 10 feet of main line. While turnouts will need a lot of space, I decided to built a traverser fiddle.
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The final fiddle yard module is 27x100cm in size and features a 70cm 4-track-traverser. To lock the traverser in the correct positions, I installed a mechanical bolting device. The ends of the aluminum rods will fit into notches inside the channes on the underside of the traverser table. The rods are hold in place ba brass guides. The lever in the center will operate the rods. |
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The lever from the picture above is connected to a second 90° offset lever. This lever inside the module box is turned by two puch buttons. Springs are used to hold the whole mechanism in closed position. By pushing the button inside the side sills, the traverser is free for moving, until the rods engage again. |
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Next I've to lay tracks... |
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So here's the fiddle yard during his first test run. The yellow area is to set cars on to the rails. The yard has a capacity for three full trains and 6 spur tracks for loco and cabooses. |
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To get the fiddle yard looking clean and good, I painted the top in light grey and I'll add beige color to the module box later. So the module has the same design as my other modules. I also installed a programming track for my DCC system. I've to wire it up later. |
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