It occurred to me after reading November 2015 edition of BRM that Clovelly road could be operated as an inglenook puzzle, as well as using an operating sequence which simulates the operation of the prototype. It has all the track elements a main line, which is where the train is assembled and two short sidings, which can hold 3 wagons each.

Using a set of hidden sidings, several other trains possibly including a passenger train could be run, giving more variety. The direction of exit of the hidden sidings is designed so that the passenger train operates in the opposite direction to the pick-up goods, i.e. the trains that shunt the yard. The operation of the passenger train could be controlled by a shuttle unit, which has been interlocked with the siding points. I envisage the trains being pulled by a small diesel loco such as class 22, a 33 or a small 0-6-0 steam locomotive.

The operation could still be determined by the same methods i.e. the use of a pack of cards which are shuffled to determine which wagons are left in the sidings after the train moves off. I envisage that coal wagons would have removable loads, allowing them to be removed when nobody was observing. At the end of a shunt sequence, the wagons are redistributed according to the following rule. The first 3 wagons in the pack could be assigned to siding 1 nearest the main line and the second 3 to the back siding.

To fully understand how an inglenook puzzle works, I have produced a short animation.

To repeat the simulation, just click on the link below.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_03_2016/blogentry-20065-0-60055600-1458046087.gif

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What does this prove, that 'there are many ways to skin a cat'. Not that I hate cats, it's just a figure of speech. And also that the same layout can be used in several different ways. A small layout can also be used a photographic background, because it is quick and easy to setup.

Julie