Quote from: madchadbrad on Today at 10:21:43 AMDunno about Sweet but "fox on the run" was done by Manfred Mann in the late '60s . . . (As well as the bluegrass "Country Gentlemen"!) but it isn't the same song at all! How annoying that they have the same title.

Wow, totally different. The only similarity is that they harmonize, I guess.

Dunno about Sweet but "fox on the run" was done by Manfred Mann in the late '60s . . . (As well as the bluegrass "Country Gentlemen"!) but it isn't the same song at all! How annoying that they have the same title.

Quote from: mojo on Yesterday at 09:08:46 PMPoints in the yard are hand operated and rely on blade contact for electrical connectivity. I have found this to lead to erratic running, problems with derailments and or electrical at varying places at different times.

Would it perhaps be easier to put a little effort in getting to run your current fiddle yard better?
Problems with derailments can usually be solved by aligning track joints.
And you could add slide switches to operate the turnouts and power the crossing and blades:
https://www.trains.com/mrr/beginners/ask-trains/how-do-i-control-a-turnout-with-a-slide-switch/

Jan

We've used cassettes to carry and change trains on James Street for over 10 years. The longest are around 48" long and can carry a nine coach passenger train. They are simply made from electrical conduit, Perspex and gaffer tape, with door insulation keeping the stock secure. We use hair bands to keep them together. All really simple and very easy to use and make. There's no power in them, but I am trying to add that for those on my own Brickmakers Lane layout. I would recommend them over a big fiddle yard, frees up so much space.

Dave

I'd say 52" is quite long to lift and turn as one unit, though you can get longer lengths in the Train-Safe product line - up to 2m or 78"

https://www.train-safe.de/en/tsb-n/ts-basic-gauge-n

My yard is designed with crossovers at each end which means every line can be bi-directional. Each line is split in half electrically to accommodate 2 shorter trains or 1 long train. All points are motorised, and although I always ensure there is frog/route switching on the scenic parts of the layout these Setrack points are generally still ok relying on blade contact even after 30 years and dozens of exhibitions   The 2 outside lines were originally going to support cassettes (hence the wider spacing) but in the end I've never bothered to make them up.




Typically I only use one or two of the yard lines as bi-directional, for long unit sets or push-pull expresses.  No need to remove the loco to the other end

I have a 4 track main line coming into double tracks at each end leading to my stock yard.
At present I have 10 looped lines and 2 sidings for the 12 trains which I wish to run.
I prefer to see 8 of these trains to run both ways, Up & Down and at present this is achieved by turning the loco only not the whole train.

Points in the yard are hand operated and rely on blade contact for electrical connectivity. I have found this to lead to erratic running, problems with derailments and or electrical at varying places at different times.

I am considering using cassettes, the longest would have to be 52" for my longest train.

What experiences have other members had when using this type of storage and is the 52" length practical?

Maurice C.

Quote from: Newportnobby on Yesterday at 12:45:22 PMHaving a bit of a 'Yes' morning. All early stuff, with the latest played being 'Close to the Edge'

To me the early Yes stuff was their best work.

It all became rather unforgettable after Tales from Topographic Oceans which itself was only good in parts.

Back when I flogged new cars there would always be a few new cars floating around that had been registered and were then sold as used. It was to hit targets.
If the dealership was a few cars short of their monthly/quarterly target we'd register the shortfall from stock then sold as used. The pre delivery inspection would only be done when the car was sold.

Hi Paul  you are of course correct, well last nightI checked the car on the DVLA website, it turns out the car was first registered in November 2025 hence the 75 plate, but then it was not given the pre delivery checks till 18th March 2026. I collected the car yesterday with 18 miles on the clock so I am happy, it drives ok no faults found so far. You have to watch out for digital faults nowadays, so nothing new there, same with our model railways digital.
Chris H.

Having a bit of a 'Yes' morning. All early stuff, with the latest played being 'Close to the Edge'