Interlocking

Victoria Yard was my first attempt at building a layout as an adult. It was my first foray into N gauge and US modelling in general, a glorified test-plank.

Essential Details:

• Scale: N
• Size 7 x 10″
• Control Method: DC
• Track: Peco Code 80

Trackplan:

The layout despicts a tiny transloading yard.

All of the hallmarks of correct yard design are present (if a little unneccesary) – a seperate arrival/departure track, loco pocket and long-enough switchback to serve the yard tracks. An LCL freight house sits on the end of the switchback spur and a 10t gantry crane stands over the outermost yard track. An end-loading dock was on the end of the middle yard track.

Gallery:

Operations:
The layout is operated as an Inglenook puzzle shunting layout – the capacities of the spurs are 5 cars, 3 cars, 3 cars, and the switching lead has a capacity of a loco + 3 cars. The cars are randomly distributed and a specific order is decided upon. Similar the towers of Hanoi this game is a simple puzzle, but enjoyable.

Positives:
My first layout that got past the design stage, ever. Experimenting with ballasting methods and different ways to create trees was successful, as was my first loco repaint. My first structure scratchbuild (balsa wood, based on a standard NYO&W design) I connecting the wiring using phono plugs (see Gallery Picture #4) and had block control switches, shortly after this layout was dismantled I switched to DCC.

Negatives:
My cats destroyed this layout literally the same day I finished it (put it on the livingroom table to show the missus and came back to have it in pieces on the floor) – and I didn’t have the heart to repair it.Visually I liked the separation of the mainline and the switching area, but the lack of roadbed was an obvious omission.

Lessons Learnt:

• Switching puzzles can provide unlimited operational interest
• Prototype research is a requirement, not an option (DRGW pinstripe dynamic braked SD9 repainted into a BN loco for a midwest layout scenicked like a coal hauler?)
• Modular electronics make fault finding easy