Ok..."sit rep"..I have gone as far as I can with my first layout.  Yes I could continue to add further levels of detail but in the back of my mind in a operation sense it doesn't satisfy  me,

So...within my next layout I would like to include a "fiddle yard".  It will be sectioned off from the main scenic part of the layout and will give me an area to prepare trains before they head off.

As with my first layout I have minimal space to work within (3ftx3ft) max.

Considering this I'd like a little advice on how forum members operate their own fiddle yards.  Is it a completely hands off situation with no stock handled by human hands with trains assembled by moving stock / locos around or is it a more hands on approach with stock / loco's being lifted from the track and placed accordingly?

I know there is no right or wrong way but views and opinions are welcome.

Thank you.

Richard

For big layouts mostly hands off. For small ones that is hard to do. Things like traversers and clever use of curved points can help spacewise however (or less trains ;-) )

Some people use cassette systems with small layouts. Personally I always liked the idea of s vertical traverser but my woodworking skills are rather inadequate!
Alan

Personally, I generally have six trains set up in the fiddle yard, plus a couple more in sidings. So I can run 8 or 9 trains in sequence.  I'm quite happy to assemble new train formations by hand and place them on a spare track in the fiddle yard.

I don't think some 'hands on' matters at all.  It's a fiddle yard after all.

I have 6 loops and 2 very long sidings.   I may add some extra sidings at some point.  I sometimes use my hands to remove stock and then get new stock out the boxes and make up some other trains.  It's my layout and not at a show so I can do what I like really.  There is no timetable to keep to.

At a show with people watching it's probably easier to have fixed trains though and avoid hands on.  Maybe switching some stock over at quiet periods.

Cheers,


Tim

As my layout is end-to-end then the HoG (Hand of God) comes into play in getting the motive power from one end of the train to the other for the next outward journey... otherwise once the stock is on the layout it stays there.

I have eight tracks in the fiddle yard. The way my layout will work is seven of the eight storage roads will be used for the core trains running regularly with some loco swapping, and the remaining storage road will be used to assemble and change the "occasional-appearers", such as the Steam Railtour Special or test train


Paul

HOG (Hand of God) is probably the easiest method on smaller layout. It probably depends on whether your fiddle yard is visible or not. If "off stage" then HOG is invisible. 

I think planning a Fiddle Yard where "The Almighty" prepares the trains will be less challenging particularly with the space available!

Thanks for the input everyone!