“Hi Al,
This is an update on my new lower FY.
I found the lack of hight between the top & bottom yards made it impossible to turn the train without de-railing everything. So I have made a rather basic means of turning by constructing an extention leading from the FY on to a legnth of track just long enough to accommodate a train.
FIrst thing to consider is the fact that it will be just a few inches from the door, it cannot be a turntable.
As the fiddleyard is at an angle to the door there has to be an intermediate curved section which also has to be hinged to allow access through the door. ( first picture )
A support leg needs to support this curved section when in use, I have a temp. one at the moment.
Also, a support on the wall has to be fitted to rest the cassette on. I carefully measured the hight and drew a line on the wall but when fitted I found that it was !mm lower than tha line. when I test fitted the cassette complete with rail I realised that it ran under the baseboard supporting the canal. There was 1mm of clearance!!! ONE CASE OF A MISTAKE BEING A GODSEND!
Of course I don’t need to turn the diesel raicar or auto train, just a goods train but I have just tested the cassette and it works perfectly.
When the train runs on to the cassette I unclip the electrical connection, lift and turn it (very carefully I may add) and replace on the supports. The train then runs off on to the fiddleyard ready for the return journey.
I have included a seiries of pictures showing an overall view of the layout.
Please excuse the mess.
Happy modelling
Alan”
I do love seeing how folk solve the problems their layout throws at them. Big thanks to Alan.
That’s all this time my friends.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day get going on your very own layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
Nice work Alan. Great looking layout!
Loved this.
Alan : I too have British set up but live in Canada. Mine just started and in Southern Region late 1950’s-early sixties. Whta is your proto-type?
NICE work Alan!! Thanks
Amazing layout Alan. Great idea about the train yard. Using tunnels as entrances.
Your layout looks really good Alan, some good ideas as well.
Regards Ron.
Great thanks, please tell me about the backdrop i like those house pictures where did you get them
Great work.I like the back drop also,do you remember were you got it?
Thanks Joe
Fantastic layout. Thanks for the photos of the lift-out ( I mean drop-down).
A lovely layout
Your layout looks very interesting. Do you have the facilities to do a video or even better, a drivers height video tour. Any back drop information appreciated, they look very good.
Great layout were did you get the back scenes from and who makes them are doing anymore to the layout if so please post thanks ..Alan
I think the backdrop’s are from the Gaugemaster company, they are real photo’s, I may be wrong , but i’m sure they are.
Regards Ron
YOUR LAYOUT IS LOOKING NICE.
Very nice, Alan. We don’t tend to use fiddle yards here in the states, but I would like to incorporate one into my new 4’x5′ N scale table … So, how about it, UK cousins: Post some FY photos to teach us how over here!
Smashing job. You might want to add a microswitch so the power to the approach track is cut off if the bridge section’s folded down though, someone at our club had a very expensive whoopsie with an A4 Pacific that way…
Rod
Love you layout if mines becomes as good as yours ill be a happy man thanks for sharing with us all
cheers paul
Very nice !! one day I will get my Garden railway built and post it on here .
The back scene is from a company called peco. They are also available from eBay. They come in oo gauge and also n gauge.
They are about 30 inches long and 5 inches high they all join together as different scenes eg a village, a port or a city backdrop.
I hope this helps anyone.
Very nice
Alan, this is a work of art. A lot of excellent railroad in a small space. Love the scenery.
Very nice layout.
Steve
It is very very amazing ilike your work and layout.chanda
Very nice layout. Really like your backdrops.
Jim AZ
What is a fiddle yard???
A fiddle yard in my guesstimation is a freight yard / staging area.We here in us have them.Wish i had the room to add one. Great job! Do I tend to see a little Dangerous Dave in your layout Alan?lol ?
That’s really good, well done.
Great job!
Hello Allen,
Great Job and beutiful made.
HC Treintje Belgium.
Herman C.