Has anyone built a hump yard on their layout in n-scale? How much space is needed? What kind of retarding system do you use?
Well, somebody did it using air jets from underneath to retard the cars. I forget where, but someone will remember. As far as space, as much as you'd like. I'd say a receiving yard about the average length of your trains, leading to the hump, then down to the bowl, with tracks about the average length of your trains. Judging by your N scale layout, are you prehaps thinking of doing Selkirk? ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
No, I hadn't thought about Selkirk, I visited the CR yard in Columbus, Oh. several years ago and took alot of pictures of their humpyard. That was what I was going to use as a pattern. Selkirk is a good one, though. Thanks for planting more ideas!!
We have had this question before. Check back in the archives on 11 July 2000. We had quite a discussion. Also see N-SCALE MAGAZINE July/August 1994 for a detailed article on a hump yard built. You could build the thing, but it would be a JOB! You could make a whole layout around a hump yard alone. ------------------ Let's Go Run Trains MARK
As Mark said, it has been discussed earlier, at the topics "hump yard???" from Jul 11, 2000, and at "Favorite Layout Pictures". I will just show my progress for now, with my small hump yard. A track plan, an overview, and the switchboard finished with connections to track sections and turnouts. ------- Helge I removed the pictures due to problem with the source server. Look instead at next post, please. That URL will show more pictures. ------- Helge SR&WF [This message has been edited by HelgeK (edited 07 January 2001).] [This message has been edited by HelgeK (edited 07 January 2001).]
Hi all, Hope you are all well after the holidays! Just a short note about the hump yard progress. Nearly "finished". Take a look at: http://members.tripod.com/hkri1938/rrp10.htm Any comments are welcome, ------ Helge
Hi all, Hope you are all well after the holidays! Just a short note about the hump yard progress. Nearly "finished". Take a look at: Hump yard ----------- Helge SR&WF NARA member #5 Any comments are welcome, ------ Helge [ 22 April 2002, 12:45: Message edited by: HelgeK ]
Helge, Great shots of the layout and the hump yard is very cool. Happy Modeling! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
yes i read about a father and son team making a " working hump yard " off and n trak modules , it was two modules with an air baffle beneath , and he drilled holes at an angle to act as air jets ! and used a rubber seal between the modules , he had a fan motor ( squrrel cage blower) and used a foot switch from a sewing mach to control the fan. just like "real" retarders some cars need a lot and some do not , and it was up to the operator to control the cars speed / the only other "type" retarter i have heard of was a fabric softener sheet " bounce" and they cut it and put it inside the rails , it rubbed on the bottoms of the flanges as the cars rolled over it slowing the car down , draw back ? no way to turn it off ,so you had to cut the fab sheets shorter than your shortest car and towards the end of the yard the longer (or more retard action) you would need. i researched it all and was never sold on a "working retarder" and gave up the plans and flatten my hump yard to a flat switch yard!!!!!!!!!! good luck!!!!!!!
I remember seeing such a project in Model railroader, though I believe that it was for HO scale. Perhaps you can check the MRR archives. Speaking of yards, has anyone else here seen the latest issue of N-scale Railroading? It features a huge yard that accomodates 1200 cars! Pretty impressive.......one day! Russ
