Shunters Yard

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

In 2015, I decided to have a go at a Compact/Micro/Book-shelf top/Minimum-space layout. The dimensions decided on were 4 foot by 1 foot enabling the layout to be easily transported/set up for exhibition purposes and stored at home on a shelf over Ballybeg. I had purchased a Bachmann 6407 0-6-0 tank loco as I had done a driver experience on the prototype No 6430 at Llangollen. I also had a 3-way point left over from previous projects and wanted to press this in to good use. A goods yard layout has been developed with a passenger station partly off-scene. Kadee couplers and under track magnets are installed to enable remote shunting to be done. I used Ratio plastic kits for a change (I previously worked extensively with card kits from Alphagraphix or Metcalfe). I decided on GWR livery but the track plan could be used for a layout of any livery including Irish. Operation is by DCC with sound chip (courtesy of Mr Soundguy) with a Bass Reflex speaker located below the signal box for amplification (given the small size of the loco) and synchronised with a 6-pin chip on the loco itself. The backscene is from the Gaugemaster range.

The scenic area is only 9 inches deep with 3 inch shelf behind the backscene left for holding the DCC Controller, operating points by push-rod, power for building/gas lamps, a DCC Programming track, rolling road and Kadee tester. Below are a range of shots of the final result. Note the use of mirrors at each end to provide an "infinity" illusion avoiding a small layout feeling cramped to viewers. Later I will post up shots of the layout with rolling stock and the layout in development.

 

[chrismears]

I like how this has turned out.

 

It's a neat way to present the concept and I particularly like placing the station at the shunting lead. That kick-back siding further adds to the sense of this being an extract of a real station.

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

I like how this has turned out.

 

It's a neat way to present the concept and I particularly like placing the station at the shunting lead. That kick-back siding further adds to the sense of this being an extract of a real station.

Thanks for that. I have a couple of other shots showing the station against the mirror which gives the impression that there is more off-stage!

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

A couple more shots of the layout without rolling stock to provide different perspectives. There are sliding mirrors at each end also hidden by the Goods Shed and the station canopy which allow stock to be added/removed during exhibitions. These also allow rail-level photographs to be taken. Note shots taken from the same place but with differing in depth of field focus to illustrate the level of detail.

 

 

 

[Jerry1975]

Very nice, is there a separate fiddle yard?

 

Jerry.

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Very nice, is there a separate fiddle yard?

 

Jerry.

 

Jerry, no but at each end there is a sliding mirror which allows stock to be added (e.g. using a re-railer) hidden from view by the station canopy and goods shed, respectively. The operating potential is primarily a variation on the classic Ingle Nook Sidings layout By Alan Wright or Highfield Yard described by C J Freezer in his book "First Steps in Railway Modelling". Essentially, Shunters Yard is therefore a shunting puzzle using DCC controlled loco with sound, the Kadee uncoupling system and simple posh/pull rods to change turnouts rapidly to accomplish remote shunting movements. It takes practice but has received a good reaction from the public when Shunters Yard made its exhibition debut in Wexford in 2015! GWR passenger units may be introduced from time to time to vary the scene using the re-railer method.

Edited October 19, 2016 by Irishrailwaymodeller

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Shunters Yard Goods Wagons

Shunters Yard is designed to use a spare 3-way point that I had for years and the new Bachmann 6407 pannier tank engine. I had the pleasure some years ago of doing a 3 hour driver experience course on the real 6430 at Llangollen in North Wales so I couldn't resist buying the Bachmann model. GWR has an attraction for me also as it is so well preserved/reproduced on the splendidly restored Llangollen line.

 

Goods wagons for the layout are mainly Dapol and GWR liveries as well as colourful wagons in red/blue/green colour liveries etc were selected for exhibition purposes. Each wagon was fitted with Kadee couplings and wheels were "damped" to ensure sufficient heft when uncoupling/recoupling with the Kadee system. Note that three Kadee magnets were buried under the track/ballast at specific points to provide four uncoupling points. This enables remote shunting to be carried out easily by using DCC and the push/pull rods to change the turn-outs as appropriate. 

 

To maximise DCC sound, a small 6-pin "silent" chip is fitted to the tank engine while a Mr Soundguy soundchip is fitted under the baseboard along with a Bass Reflex speaker (under the signal box which has no glazing). A small motor is wired to the soundchip to enable the "chuffs" to work. A full range of 64XX sounds including whistles, track squeal and coupling is provided. The model was extensively detailed with coal, driver figures, lamps, bucket, fire implements, etched 6407 plates (from 247 Developments Ltd) etc.

 

 

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Passenger Rolling Stock on Shunters Yard

There are quite a few passengers waiting on the platform of Shunters Yard who may not be as amused by the constant goods vehicle movements as we might be. Therefore, a GWR railcar and GWR autocoach visit periodically to cater for them...

 

[jamesg]

What a fantastic little layout!  The track plan is clever, it looks realistic but gives plenty of operating potential.  Out of interest, how high is the layout above the floor to be viewed?

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

What a fantastic little layout!  The track plan is clever, it looks realistic but gives plenty of operating potential.  Out of interest, how high is the layout above the floor to be viewed?

 

Thanks Jamesg! The layout may be worked while sitting it on a table but for exhibition purposes I have displayed it on trestles about 3 foot high with black cloth to cover the legs. It is the old exhibition dilemma - if the layout is too low it may not look as realistic and if too high then smaller people/those in wheelchairs can't see it. Although, some of my photos show Shunters Yard trackwork looks well from above. When exhibiting, I like to speak to as many people as I can to explain the layout and invite them to photograph the front and through the side openings. This hopefully conveys a good idea what we modellers are about. With the high quality of cameras on 'phones these days, people are delighted with their photos of this model. This is one of four layouts I have developed (the others are Ballybeg, Llangollen and Cynwyd all also on rmweb.co.uk) so when not working on Shunters Yard, it is stored in full sight in my model railway room for me to enjoy.

 

Gerry

Edited October 23, 2016 by Irishrailwaymodeller

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

A short video on You Tube to give an idea of how Shunters Yard looks and sounds during operation: 

 

[Jerry1975]

Very nice video.

 

Jerry.

[Giggle pin]

Hi. I like your layout. How do you uncouple the trucks by the horse and cart?

 

Brian

[andyram]

Just found this thread. What a lovely little layout, it certainly has plenty of atmosphere.

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Hi. I like your layout. How do you uncouple the trucks by the horse and cart?

 

Brian

 

Hi Brian,

 

Under each point/turn-out I have a Kadee magnet buried under the ballast. When the wagons pass over and are reversed/bumped together over the magnet, they uncouple when reversed (see video). If the wagons are then re-coupled over the magnet they form an "open" link which if then pushed along the siding allows uncoupling anywhere once the direction is reversed. If wagons are reversed together not over a magnet, then they form a "closed" link allowing them to be towed away. Towing linked wagons over a magnet without reversing means they stay linked. Probably easier to see on the video than to explain in words.

 

Regards, Gerry

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

For info, I have a series of photos showing Shunters Yard as it was being built. First the base boards.

 

 

 

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

The back-scene is fitted - along with mirrors at each end -  and buildings are set out to enable the track to be laid and wired up.

 

 

 

 

[Tryfan]

Nice layout Gerry. Out of interest which number Kadeee coupling do you use?

 

David

[andyram]

Very interesting to see the build stage.

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Nice layout Gerry. Out of interest which number Kadeee coupling do you use?

 

David

 

Thanks David,

 

Depending on the wagon usually a No 19 or No 20. Most wagons had NEM pockets but some I glued plasticard shims to fit a Kadee coupler to the right height. Some NEMs needed to be glued to avoid too much movement sideways. Using Bostic-type glue means it can be removed later if need be without damage to the original. As noted earlier in this post string, the wheel movement needs to be damped with plasticard or foam. All in all, a bit of trial and error and lots of practice before each exhibition!

 

Regards,

Gerry

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

The track is ballasted, Kadee magnets fitted under the points in cut-out in the base-board (similar to cut-out for the DCC sound speaker for under the signal box) and other details are being added. Note the GWR spear-point fencing and trees/foliage used immediately in front of the back-scene to visually "join" it to the foreground seamlessly.

 

 

 

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Shunters Yard has acquired a new Streamlined railcar from Dapol to augment it's passenger services! Thanks to Mr Soundguy it is fitted with a realistic soundchip also. Some early morning sun caught the model this am.

 

 

 

 

[Mike-Greg]

Hi

Nice

I am at moment building a shunting yard

but the thing with your type of track plan,  it looks ok 

But

when the engine comes in from the wide world, it arrives engine first !

but with no runaround it cant get round the wagons to depart Engine first

 

 

rgds

Mike

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Hi

Nice

I am at moment building a shunting yard

but the thing with your type of track plan,  it looks ok 

But

when the engine comes in from the wide world, it arrives engine first !

but with no runaround it cant get round the wagons to depart Engine first

 

 

rgds

Mike

 

True, a result of compromise, compression etc. The story could be that back off-stage there is a run-around allowing the shunting to happen or the leading engine could uncouple/back into the bay allowing another engine to do the shunting. Nothing is perfect I guess. If I was doing SY again I would certainly add 6 inches to the goods shed end to give more room for wagons. I would also consider how a run-around could be created but given the small space adopted this might be difficult.

 

I plan to develop a short two-way fiddle-yard beyond the station area (once I have completed Llanuwchllyn in N) which would give me more scope off-stage at exhibitions.

 

Thanks for your interest and good luck with your own project.

[Irishrailwaymodeller]

Very nice, is there a separate fiddle yard?

 

Jerry.

 

I have recently developed a simple 2-way "Tuning fork" fiddle-yard for this display to better allow shunting and bringing rail-cars and auto-coach on and off scene. The top of the fiddle-yard may be removed to allow operation from the front or replaced to allow exhibition working from behind the layout: