Train ModelerSo, my question is--how many still use some type of fiddle yard? Where the giant helping hand can move cars onto and off of an online yard.
Hi Richard,
I do not believe in fiddling. For me it's not about fidelity to the prototype. I just don't believe most railroad models survive repeated handling. There is a reasonable likelihood of some unintended consequence every time you touch a model. The more tightly packed they are (like in yards), the more likely. Fingers bend, break or dislodge detail parts - many of which end up being lost forever. The adjacent cars are often derailed which results in more handling or even worse the derailment goes unnoticed until the next operating session.
I am a huge believer in staging, but once a model is placed on the track, my goal (however lofty) is to never touch it again.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Mine, under construction, is meant to be staging and not much fiddling since it's not fiddle friendly, although I might do what Rob does, and switch ends of the train - change the caboose for the power:
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
wp8thsubI don't see it that way, but we could be reading from different sources. A yard is much like an in-box and out-box. Cars arrive, get sorted according to where they go next, then move on. They don't come in to stay.
Rob,
I suspect he's reading where yards are often treated as storage, even though that tends to tie things up.
Richard,
Fiddle and staging yards can refer to differrent things. Fiddle is all about handling cars onto the layout in some location designated as for that, whether visible or staged.
Staging yards can also be either visible or hidden. The tendency when using them is to handle entire trains or cuts of cars. However, they're also an opportunity to handle cars on and off the layout, same basic thing as fiddle yards. That's how my staging works.
Something to consider in designing a staging yard where you want to fiddle is making sure you have and outside track or two where that can be easily up front, rather like Mr. B does. He has the sloping ceiling overhead that doesn't help with reaching the far side tracks, but essentially the same principle is involved once you get beyond the first few tracks.
Those far side tracks work well, however, for things like passenger trains, unit trains and others that typically require little handling to reset.
Track spacing is another difference. With fiddling, you need to be able to reach in and pick up easily. Thus you need tracks whose centers are far enough apart so you can reach in and grab 'em.
With staging only tracks, you can really pack them in close. Once built, a train from the front tracks can then be moved to back tracks or elsewhere with tighter spacing. Staging tracks can also serve as receiving tracks. Then you move the trains to easy reach tracks to be broken down and reset. This can also affect you planning and design and needs to be taken into consideration
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
The fiddle yard concept is employed on my layout - in staging. Most of the time I see fiddle yards they are part of the off-line staging as opposed to on-line modeled locations.
Trains that enter my staging are re-staged during the session. Unit trains like auto parts, TOFC, and coal stay together, and may only have the power and cabooses changed end-for end. General freights are broken down - the "waybill" is flipped to the next side and the cars are flat-switched by destination so new trains can be built from them.
Train ModelerIn my reading it seems that yards are counted as storage and so can't help you with moving cars, unless you guarantee to never leave cars on that track.
I don't see it that way, but we could be reading from different sources. A yard is much like an in-box and out-box. Cars arrive, get sorted according to where they go next, then move on. They don't come in to stay.
Rob Spangler
Richard..
I actually use both - a hidden staging yard for the trains and GHA (Giant Hand Action) to a fiddle yard/storage area for cars. Before the start of each op session new cars are routed into each train via an interchange track using GHA, old cars taken off (that GHA again), and the train run back to staging. Once all are 'reloaded' the session can start.
Charles
This is my staging yard, still under construction:
The far left track will be extended another 6 feet, and will be a branch line. The other 4 stop where they are.
In this case, "fiddling" is a bit awkward because of the overhanging roofline and tight track spacing. I plan to put a liftoff scenic cover over all but that branch line, but it will be removeable.
I'm still working out this operations stuff myself. This is a single-ended yard, so trains will return facing the wrong direction and will need to be turned somehow. The branch line track looks to be a good spot for manual handling, after which the train could be briefly taken out and then backed into the staging tracks again. Or, I could just tie up the main and back them in.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I've been doing some typical Christmas time model railroad reading recently. I've discovered that my layout is woefully inadequate for operations due to not having enough off line staging. In my reading it seems that yards are counted as storage and so can't help you with moving cars, unless you guarantee to never leave cars on that track. I can see some merit in that because it's hard to break down and make up trains using yard track that is already occupied-lol. There's really nothing new here except that it seems in today's operations sessions we don't have fiddle yards. We can only use the giant helping hand for our offline staging yards. I have added some staging but also use it online as a destination--port.
I really don't see that much difference in the practical operational impact of a fiddle yard vs staging yard. I understand that offline staging yards allow for all "the hands on" movements to go unseen and so help create a more complete prototypical feel.
So, my question is--how many still use some type of fiddle yard? Where the giant helping hand can move cars onto and off of an online yard.
Thanks,Richard