>> The main reason why we shunt the yard, is to keep something moving between trains. Do you think that we need to do this? And if so how much?

Yes I do. I think a basic rule of thumb is that something should be moving all of the time, with a small 10-15 second gap at most. When that is not a through train then move something in the yard. Not exactly prototypical - but much more entertaining for the viewers.

>> We noticed that quite often the same train that arrives at the yard is the same train that leaves. Basically the shunter has just rearranged the wagons in the consist. I have noticed this happening on other layouts as well. Does this matter?

Not critical IMHO, but better if you can shuffle two consists or more.

>>If it does then we are thinking of giving the shunter proper instructions. Full coal wagons in and empty out using detachable loads seems easy enough. But what about other wagons how do we direct that they are for Swaynton Goods and how do we know when they are unloaded? Does anybody else do this and how? (Cards?)

Cards are a great idea, and the 'shunter' needs to practice until he/she can do it without the cards. And then equip with a dice and randomise it (let the public see that too!). Detachable loads are only worth it if you hide the detach from viewers, otherwise it's more 'hand of God' which IMHO spoils the illusion.

>>To use the electro-magnet to uncouple means moving the whole train into the headshunt or yard throat. We think this to be little unprototypical and found the hand uncouplers gave more freedom. But what should we show the public? Do you feel offended when you see the hand from the sky appear? And we can also talk about three link couplings here.

I feel that hand uncoupling is only slightly better than no uncoupling, it completely shatters the illusion. More uncouplers I say!

>>The main reason why we shunt the yard, is to keep something moving between trains. Do you think that we need to do this? And if so how much?<<

Un-necessary. Taking my layout out, I was paranoid about breaks in movement, necessary now and again to change ends in the fiddle yard. Generally though, Joe Public is content to wait a minute or two - particularly so if there's a train left for inspection, in my case waiting "for the single line section clearing".

>>We noticed that quite often the same train that arrives at the yard is the same train that leaves. Basically the shunter has just rearranged the wagons in the consist. I have noticed this happening on other layouts as well. Does this matter?<<

Yes, I think it'd look pointless to the viewer and feel pointless to the operator. Is there not a case of swapping vehicles over, ie. two new vans replace two already-present vans, three minerals replace the minerals already there etc..? Simple, but appears to have purpose?

>>To use the electro-magnet to uncouple means moving the whole train into the headshunt or yard throat. We think this to be little unprototypical and found the hand uncouplers gave more freedom. But what should we show the public? Do you feel offended when you see the hand from the sky appear? And we can also talk about three link couplings here.<<

Hand from the sky doesn't bother me at all. Alternatively add more magnets? Three links are nice, functional, generally reliable too but even in the flush of youth (!) my eyes can't handle them under show conditions.

Interesting comments.

We moved away from three link couplings because they were so fiddly (for the more senior members) and were also a pain in the Fiddle Yards.

A couple of points of information for those not familiar with Swaynton (and lets face it, it don't get out much)

It represents a station on a two track main line (End to End at the moment)

We work to a sequence that takes around an hour to complete and move 30 trains through the layout.

That is 15 trains despatched from each end.

The train for the yard arrives on 1 UP and departs on 13 UP so effectivly giving the shunter 45 minutes to do his thing.

However we only have two sidings.

There are some videos of Swaynton on youtube.

This the best one taken at Tolworth (from 1:00 onwards) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezbx2fSa_8Q

The unloading (removing the coal loads) is done at the end of the sequence.