Hi,
Generally layouts are operated by humans, so errors creep in, particularly after a few hours of operating. I actually think ALL layouts will have had at least a couple of hiccups of varying degrees, we just forgive our favourite layouts quicker! New operators unused to loco characteristics are also a feature. For ourselves, we decided to re-enact a rail accident on the Sunday.... no-one was watching to appreciate it at the time... pity!!
Looking at video of shunting in yards during the late 50s, subtly buffering up was not a common practise!! Locos appeared to get stopped abruptly on a regular basis, slamming into a rake of buffered up stock.
