Stock/Fiddle Yards

[mojo]

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.

[ntpntpntp]

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