Hidden Staging Yards - Let's See Yours

BarstowRick Sep 30, 2022

  1. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You are most likely asking yourself, "Now what is BarstowRick up to?" Did I read you right?

    Let's see your Hidden Staging Yards. Is it Stub End? Is it Run Through? Or are you ignoring the whole idea?

    Over the years. I've wanted in the worst way to build a hidden staging yard. Why? To have trains made up and staged, ready to go. That's why.

    My yards need to be visible so I can work them. Along with those switch puzzles for industrial spurs.

    Out of all the visits I've had to my layouts there are two things on my layout that constantly take hits. One is my Helix or helixi, as in plural as there is more then one. Four actually.

    The other is my Hidden Staging yard. The most often heard put down, "Wow! that's got to be a pain in the kink-neck to operate!" No!! Not really!! I have Kato automated switches that will eventually be hooked up to DPDT's (Toggle Switches) wired-in to Reverse, DC polarity, Momentary On, Center Off Toggle Switches.

    As far as track current. Since I'm operating in Analog DC, i will be able to shut the current off to each track. Even if I switched over to DCC I would want to be able to shut off the current to those tracks. More on that later.

    Clearance. There are a number of things to consider. One! What just One? No there's more. Big Hands. You have to be able to get your hand in to pull out the derailed cars. Honestly, there shouldn't be a need for such. Little paws or puppy dog tales have been known to derail things on a train layout. There needs to be height clearance as well as room between the rails aka storage tracks to get your fingers in. You know so you don't knock off train cars sitting on the other tracks. No bigger mess then the ones we create. I have clearance!! You know plenty of room for the big handed guy. Plenty of room under the top deck to re-rail my train cars.

    Not to mention I installed re-railers, two for each track. Most of the time i can pull the train or trains forward and re-rail without going down into the rabbit hole.

    Did I mention plenty of room for those cats to get underneath the top deck and make a nest. That truly is a downside.

    Here's your opportunity to put mine down or not. In case you haven't seen pictures of it:

    DSCF1864.JPG

    Above, I'm getting ready too pull the one piece of sub-roadbed out so I can get to the wires we cut loose when moving the layout. You can see where we had to cut the two sections of the layout in order to take it down and load it into the truck. Never mind that story. I think you can find it over on BarstowRicks Layout Restoration.

    One more The Dry Gulch Bridge over the Hidden Staging Yard.

    4a-DryGulchBridgeOverStagingYard.JPG

    The only spot where it will be hard to get to is right under the bridge. That's it! I couldn't operate trains without this necessity.

    Who needs them? You might!

    Let's See Yours, that sounds promiscuous but it's not meant to be. Lets See Your Hidden Staging Yards.

    Later!
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2022
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  2. Kisatchie

    Kisatchie TrainBoard Member

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    Hmm... Kiz built a hidden
    staging yard once, but he
    never could find it again...
    [​IMG]
     
  3. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Kiz,

    Is that the monkey on your back. Seems he follows you everywhere. Quite knowledgeable...too.
     
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  4. Kisatchie

    Kisatchie TrainBoard Member

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    Uh oh, somebody's upset!

    Hmm... I am Ms. Dee Rayle,
    and I am a Great Ape, not
    some lowly monkey...
    [​IMG]
     
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  5. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Seems like half a lifetime ago and the layout is long gone, but here's my submission.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This is what you saw from the usual layout view.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nope, not upset. Just Razzing you.

    I spent years carrying somebody else's monkey on my back (figuratively speaking). I then decided not to do that anymore. No more. It's time for me to quit being a people pleasure. Time to something for myself.

    Monkey is gone. However a Great Ape as a pet would be interesting.
     
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  7. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I do like that. Proving once again you can find a way to make it happen. Well done!

    Sad to hear it's gone. That does happen.

    Later
     
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  8. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Seeing wasted real estate under my mountain, I recently resuscitated an idea I'd included in my track plan, but then eliminated for simplicity's sake. In the slot to the left is a single track to store a short Amtrak train. It's accessed via a switch also in the mountain. For maintenance, the switch is accessible through the rectangular window and from the rear of the layout. The top of the mountain is removable. I'm going to add an IR occupancy detector with an LED so that I'll know when the train is nearing the bumper.

    DS&N Hidden Track 3 Square.jpg
     
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  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    That's what I'm talking about.
     
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  10. Bookbear1

    Bookbear1 TrainBoard Supporter

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    My staging year is hidden under this 'mountain ridge' (small layout, so a small yard):

    It's accessible from either the back of the layout or the top. How from the top? Well.... A section was cut out before the main part of the layout was scenicked. That section was later built up and had scenery elements applied.

    The 'seam' where it would meet the rest of the mountain ridge had an apron of flexible fiberglass screen material permanently glued to the plaster base of the section. This was cut at 1/2 in. intervals to allow for greater flexibility. A thin layer of white glue was spread over the (cut) free edge of the screening and then it was coated with the various shades of ground foam.

    Cover plate off. Longest stage track is to the left, used mostly for passenger or long freight drags. Next two are the main through tracks, and on the right ate two shorter stage tracks, mostly for freight consists or RDC services.

    Cover plate on:
    When the plate is in place, the apron rests on the lip of the mountain ridge and covers the inevitable gap very nicely, yet can be removed in an instant to deal with any other yard tasks
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2022
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  11. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    WEelllllllllllllllllllllllllll.....

    My 'hidden staging yard' is not so hidden !:LOL::cool::whistle:

    [​IMG]

    .
     
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  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looking good!!

    Having lived in Big Bear Country, Ca., don't I know that you never get between a local's model railroad and the Bear these guys can be.

    Thanks for the comeback.
     
  13. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You have one awesome yard. That's something I don't have and want. Well done.
     
  14. Bookbear1

    Bookbear1 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nice job, Rick and Hardcoaler. Very impressive, Mtntrainman!
     
  15. Bookbear1

    Bookbear1 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Heh.... I went to school in Big Bear Lake, graduated from BBHS in 1966.
     
  16. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    I completely ripped up my yard in 2020, it was covered front to back with tracks that we used for a staging yard for our Bend Track modules.

    [​IMG]

    Not needing all those tracks now, I rebuilt it with just want I needed.
    This is still a staging yard, but like George's, it's out in plain sight.
    The tracks on the far left is where the two locals are pre staged.
    The one down the middle is a run through track.
    The next two over is a small yard for car storage for an industrial line down the center.
    The far right one is for locomotives that I have matched. It can hold about about 6 sets of three motors.
    Each session, I'll rotate through them.

    Two of the three tracks against the backdrop is more staging for two through freights and the one closest to the backdrop is another run through track.


    If all goes as planned, the three tracks against the backdrop will be partially hidden when I get a bunch of tall buildings in place down the middle of the yard. These will be railroad served with a single track and spurs and the cars sitting in the two short tracks will be for the industries down the middle.

    At least that's my plan.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    That means you aren't a flat lander. You are a mountain man for life. Part of the Big Bear Pack.

    Bought railroad books at the BookBear store Big Bear lake, Ca. They would order in whatever I was looking for. Betting you had something to do with that.

    You missed out. We organized a Group of Model Railroaders. The Bear Valley Model Railroaders. One of the guys went out and bought us hats. Not a club, to much politics, just a Group. We'd get together over at Mr. Acost's house for Operations Night. Held two self guided model railroad tours. Went over better then I thought it would. Had loads of fun. I think we had eight of us at one time. Most have passed away or moved off the mountain. Last count there's four of us still hanging on. Two that remain on the mountain.

    Glad to see you out and still kicking.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2022
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  18. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Staging yard aren't always Hidden. A layout in San Diego, Lamesa Model Railroad Club, uses a open staging yard. On it they can put out the trains the club members brought in. Stage them to be run when ready. Some guys just like sitting down there and switching out trains cars. My kind of fun!

    Thanks for the comeback and the pictures. The before yard was awesome if not overwhelming The after yard, I like what you've done with it.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2022
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  19. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had a three track staging yard under a mountain/desert town. Worked well, but always wanted something with more tracks and better access.

    Look for the tank cars in the first pic of the raw benchwork. The yard exits in the lower curve to the left into the active yard.
    P1010226.jpg

    Here is a shot where the hidden staging exits the lower curve and entering the mountain/desert town in the foreground.
    P1010225.jpg

    Here its been covered by scenery.
    189.jpg

    I ran on this for ten years and sure miss this layout. I hope to start something new shortly.
     
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  20. Bookbear1

    Bookbear1 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Some yards DESERVE to be seen! Great job!
     
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