A major part of the problems that I have had, re getting trains to negotiate the curves to enter the fiddleyard, was because of problems with the flexibility of the couplings. The photograph below shows two 5 plank wagons on the main curve, through the goods yard entry points.

The second photograph shows the same two wagons going around the much sharper curves into the fiddleyard.

When carrying out the cut and shut modification of the guards van, I successfully reduced the overhang of the couplings with respect to the wheelbase and the overall length of the chassis. But in the process the couplings have reduced flexibility. Thus the brake van still derails when the sharpest part of the curve is reached.

The Peco brake van chassis has a slightly shorter wheelbase and the same flexibility of the 2 wagons in the photograph. Thus it will hopefully negotiate the fiddleyard curve without derailing. The proof of the pudding will of course be in the eating!

Julie

PS This is the second posting today, this has occurred because I was unable to get to sleep.