Staging yards are definently worth the space, especially when you model the N&W. You should have on one either end. I have one staging yard on my railroad but one more on the other end would be great so I wouldn't have to run the train backwards back through the town.
The Lone Geep
Lone Geep
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I agree, they are worth it.. I have around the room layout but I still have staging and planning expanding it real soon, for me it will add some train yard switching action and a place to store my cars and I dont like taking them on and off the layout anymore than I have too.
My current under-construction layout (at the tape-on-the-floor outline stage) is a shortline running one local from an interchange to switch industries and return to the interchange. No hidden staging, but I'm only running one train that stays in three towns for the entire run. The interchange however acts as staging - all the cars enter and leave the railroad there.
My previous layout (click the link in my signature) ran several trains and was point-to-point with staging tracks shared by both ends of the mainline. I only ran three trains from staging yard to staging yard and I wanted MORE staging capability.
I'd go for the staging. It adds so many operating opportunities to any layout.
YES, if you can work them in. They don't have to be hidden or on a different level. They allow you to bring trains on the layout from different simulated places in different directions. If you are an operator, it really extends what you can do.
My RR is in a 9 x 24 room and I have a single main that goes around the room twice. At one end I have a staging / interchange yard with three tracks. (wish I put in more) If that yard is full, I operate point to point. If I leave a track open I can have a continuous run. You may want to take a look at my small web page about my RR. The link is in my signature block below.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I am planing a point to point railroad although I am getting family pressure for continuous run. If I stick with the point to point concept, are staging yards worth the space? I have an interest in running at least two passenger trains (eastbound and westbound). I want to interchange with other railroads. I am modeling the N&W in 1955. I want to interchange with the Southern and possibly the C&O. Staging tracks seem to be the answer but man they can eat up space. Other concerns include whether or not a detection system is a good idea for hidden staging. I am not the greatest electrical engineer, so things like track detection scare me. What are your opinions and experiences? My layout will be in a 20x 30 foot room (more or less). I plan single track mainline with passing sidings and of course industries. I am constructing a yard that will be about 1/2 way. It will have the mainline, 2 arrival/departure tracks, 5 classification tracks, servicing facilities, turntable and roundhouse.
Craig North Carolina