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Faffing with Fiddleyards!

wenlock

Entry posted by wenlock in Faffing with Fiddleyards!

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Although I'm happy with the layout when playing with it at home, I've been conscious for a while that certain things could be improved upon when exhibiting the layout at model railway shows.  The road over bridge acts as the break between the scenic part of layout and the "off stage" fiddle yard as show in the picture below.

 

Fiddle yard and rear of road over bridge

AEB9B6CA-8330-4B08-8B78-C2D2D4457CFE.jpeg.466428395a566f7950e420cdd0f7e9b9.jpeg

 

 

The problem at exhibitions is that the fiddle yard can clearly be seen under the road bridge spoiling the illusion that the trains are actually coming and going from somewhere other than an MDF plank!  The fiddle yard also has to be re positioned during shunting maneuvers to enable stock to move from the main line into the yard, which means unlocking and realigning the latching bolts every time.  All of this means that my fingers can be seen faffing about under the bridge spoiling any illusion of reality.  To rectify this I'm considering the following "cunning plan!"

 

Stock visible under bridge.

IMG_3220a.jpg.fc153c9b10c22a826a1ceb55a53025e6.jpg

 

Fingers under bridge!

IMG_3229a.jpg.717389b8357023a5e5bb019f9cbbd0c4.jpg

 

 A base board about 3 feet long incorporating a point to link the main line and the yard would have the following benefits...

 

1.  It would eliminate the need to move the fiddle yard during shunting maneuvers.

2.  If I give this base board full scenic treatment then the view under the bridge would be greatly improved!

3.  My fingers couldn't be seen when moving the fiddle yard to set up roads for different locos and their accompanying stock.

4.  Trains could reach a reasonable speed before entering or leaving the scenic part of the layout.

5.  I could incorporate an area in front of the scenery to put a cup of tea or coffee!

 

All of this greatly appeals and although its addition wouldn't fit in my workshop, I think it's construction would definitely be worthwhile for those occasions when I'm exhibiting the layout.  

 

My trusty C&L point templates show that a 3 foot long board would allow the use of a B6 left hand turnout to link the main line and the yard without too tight a curve.

 

 

Template in position

7F083909-6465-4C42-ADE1-5E0BF9BDD440.jpeg.89078f1f50fba7360e072e4a906c12a9.jpeg

 

View under bridge, imagine scenery!

IMG_3245a.jpg.fc78aeedb4f2cbea5df91fff769c2a63.jpg

 

I'd appreciate your thoughts chaps!

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by wenlock
Restore pictures

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  • RMweb Gold
wenlock
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1 hour ago, Stubby47 said:

Following your displaying of the layout at Taunton Member's Day, and other than you wish to ease the operation of the fiddle yard and traverser, I would suggest raising the height of the layout by at least 12 inches.

 

That way, no one, but you, will be able to see the bridge, let alone look through it.

Lol!  Now that’s a solution that works perfectly!  Well for me anyway:D

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wenlock

wenlock 4,044

Posted (edited)

  • RMweb Gold

I’ve just found some MDF at the back of the workshop:)  Let the project begin!

Edited by wenlock
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wenlock
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8 hours ago, Barry Ten said:

batcave.gif.b0dbd15178b8e0590b8b251da59c37c9.gif


Utility belt on! Holy PVA Batman! Da na na na, na na na :D

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Regularity
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On 01/05/2020 at 13:35, One32 said:

Dave

Is there a specific reason for choosing 3ft? If it is not to be used in your workshop could you make it longer and would that allow you to incorporate an engine shed on a siding from the mainline towards the front of the board? This could be a stand alone scenic diorama and would add extra operating interest to the layout with engines staying overnight and loco coal in / out.

Ralph15883304780434891238304422060713.jpg.f22c4f682aedbec95d81fbc4250fe02b.jpg


I think the link needs to be oriented slightly differently:

E4557910-D3BC-4D0E-9B81-EB9A957E2DFA.jpeg.3a2a4355214944343e2ac2c91b9de37f.jpeg


4EC93E33-30C9-4E23-AF12-B44BC5D9B104.jpeg.8047b3b10dd2f66f21d6ac5afa2e3484.jpeg

You could create a shed scene reminiscent of Kington, for which I have been unable to find a suitable copyright-free image, but this might be of interest.

 

NLS map link.

 

Edited by Regularity
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19 minutes ago, Barry Ten said:

Dangerous things, ideas...

Ideas is what you do for a living, isn’t it - including your previous occupation? ;)

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wenlock
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23 hours ago, Regularity said:


I think the link needs to be oriented slightly differently:

E4557910-D3BC-4D0E-9B81-EB9A957E2DFA.jpeg.3a2a4355214944343e2ac2c91b9de37f.jpeg


4EC93E33-30C9-4E23-AF12-B44BC5D9B104.jpeg.8047b3b10dd2f66f21d6ac5afa2e3484.jpeg

You could create a shed scene reminiscent of Kington, for which I have been unable to find a suitable copyright-free image, but this might be of interest.

 

NLS map link.

 

Ooooh, now a engine shed and a water tower would be an excellent addition and clear up the mystery of where Sherton's locos get their water from!  I can feel a spot of doodling coming on, its never going to fit in the bl**dy Transit though!:rolleyes:

 

P.S. thanks for the link, what a delightful project!

 

BW

 

Dave

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bgman

Dear Mr. Faffing,

 

Whilst I fully understand your dilemma perhaps you would consider building 2....yes 2!  fiddly diddly boards ?

 

One for your want / need to have that elusive engine shed and water tower to attach at home and another for "On the Road" ( whenever that should be ? ) .

 

You could then have the best of both worlds !!!

 

Yours,

 

A concerned reader 

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Regularity
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3 hours ago, wenlock said:

Ooooh, now a engine shed and a water tower would be an excellent addition and clear up the mystery of where Sherton's locos get their water from!  I can feel a spot of doodling coming on, its never going to fit in the bl**dy Transit though!

But it would do, it taken out as a stand lone module with a fiddle yard at each end... ;)

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wenlock
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21 hours ago, Regularity said:

But it would do, it taken out as a stand lone module with a fiddle yard at each end... ;)

Hmmm, now I’m contemplating a new layout and two new fiddle yards!  Things are definitely beginning to escalate from simply contemplating a new 3 foot board:D

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