Yards

[FJ and G]

I really don't have space for a yard on the main layout, but I do have a closet that I'm planning to use as yard space, off the mainline. I don't really care that much for yards; except I need one to park my trains on to get them out of the way of the mainline.

It will be a pull in; back out yard, but still, better than nothing. No room for turntable. I may add a few details like water tower, sand, diesel fuel station; stuff that won't take up too much space.

Actually, I was thinking of lighting the inside of the closet and installing a large mirrow at the end of the yard to make the yard appear twice as big. The closet, btw, is about 3 feet X 6 feet deep. Can't store really long trains but as I said, better than nothing.

Mine, unfortunately, won't be a switching yard. Not really long enough. Just 4 to 6 tracks, simple ladder style.

I also may try to sneak a yard in on the lower shelf of the 2 deck structure. Maybe make that a switching yard, as the upper one would just be storage.

Dave Vergun

[daan]

Yeah, trains are taking over the house at Dave's place.. My trains are banned to the attic since my lovely wife doesn't want to see trains running in every closet..
But apart from that,it's a good idea in getting more space for the storage of trains and it also keeps away the dust a bit. Ideal to make a small table inside of the closet so that you can do repairs on the trains there. Everything keeps tidy when you close the door, and broken engines really need to go to the repairshop..

[FJ and G]

Daan,

I was looking at the pictures of your attic this morning and was just wondering. Doesn't it get really hot and cold up there?

[fjerome]

david, you gotta have switching yards. fully one third of the fun of operating trains is making up or taking apart consists.

[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

Daan,

I was looking at the pictures of your attic this morning and was just wondering. Doesn't it get really hot and cold up there?

And where might we see Daan's layout?

I feel the same as you David. I don't like yards and "switching fun" is not fun to me. I like watching a bullet-fast passenger train. But when the time comes to stop them, I will just leave them at stations. My freights will all be on sidings.

[daan]

@ amtrack jack: My pictures are on http://communities.zeelandnet.nl/data/lionel and since yesterday on the sunday photo fun page..
@Dave, Yes it does. For the summer I made a thermostat regulated airfan which sucks in colder air from under the roof (1000m3/hour) and that keeps the temperature around 20 degrees when the sun is shining (25 outside, in celcius) and in winter our house has a central heating system, with a gasboiler in the attic which also gives warmth.
To me, it's most comfy in winter, when it's really a hot summers day, the trains are no place to be (I measured over 35 degrees celcius once, without the fan).
But those warm day's are may be only 8-10 days a year, so not really a big deal.

[FJ and G]

Forrest, I didn't mean that I don't like switching yards, it's just that I don't have room for everything and with the room I have I rather like switching out industries and scenic mainlines. The little space I have for a yard will be used to store the trains.

daan, it gets much hotter in Virginia. I have plenty of crawl space in the attic above the garage, but I would have to reconstruct the framework, as the wood shape is that of an upsidedown V with the only place to walk in the middle of the room. Plenty of space, however, 2 car garage worth; but cooling would be a problem as it gets into the 80s and 90s for about 7 of 12 months here in Virginia. Also, entry would be a problem for guests. Would be doable but would take a heck of a lot of work to make it inhabitable.

[ChiefEagles]

I would have a monster layout in the attic [Cape Cod type house with high pitched roof]. Would have to insulate the roof rafters and etc. Still would be hot. Have monster exhaust fan but gets hot and humid in NC [even with the trees blocking the sun]. I'll settle for the bedroon. I might do an extension table out into the middle of the room for a yard if it does not work out for the main tables.

[Anonymous]

Installing an attic fan will do wonders for lowering the temperature on a hot summer's day. The temperature builds up because the same air mass is absorbing the sun's heat. If you change out the air mass using a high capacity fan (as Daan did), then the temperature won't go up so much.

When you re-roof your house, the roofer should put in a ridge vent and you should have sophet vents installed, too, if you don't have them already. Then put in the attic fan & watch the attic temperature drop.

Insulation in the rafters helps, too.

Tony

[FJ and G]

Tony, Have soffit vents but no fan over the garage (fans however, in the house). Suspect because no entryway was made. Had to, in fact, slice thru drywall to get up there. May install steps but joists are still close together and need to go up sideways. The joists are supporting (2X16) so at the moment, don't really want to alter them, unless have to. No rafter insulation (but could put some in).

Right now, it's serving useful purpose as storage.