DBT Backdrop - and the Staging Yard

Staging Yard "Lid" - 25 August 2003

A "lid" has been provided for the Staging Yard. This is a multi-purpose device, providing somewhere to anchor some curtaining material which will protect the locomotives and rolling stock from dust when the railway is not in operation, and will also be able to be used a shelf. Constructed of 3" (75mm) blue styrofoam in aluminium channel, it should be sturdy enough to support my various containers of scenic material. Currently I have no plans to add extra lighting under the "lid", as I believe there is sufficient light to work the yard, and it also de-emphasises what is not meant to be a modelled location. When and if lighting is added above the layout, and operations take place with no room lighting, I may ned to review the lighting situation here. You can also see the location of the fast-clock. Currently this is the only one on the layout, and is sited where it is clearly visible by all operators. Should I ever add full-height backdrops to Anunaka, and block the view of this clock, I have two extras for use where needed.

Staging Yard Fascia - and more Shelves

19 January 2003 It has been two years since anything substantial was done to the Staging Yard, other than replacing the "dodgy" phosphor bronze wipers with micro-switches, and doing some tuning of the turnouts. Now though I am moving towards installing a fascia here. As a first step lengths of 2x2 timber were glued and screwed under the joists to provide some additional strength to the fascia, which will be quite deep compared to the very shallow board used. Here we see that first step - the 2x2s clamped under the boards. You can also see extra shelving added underneath the staging yard, which adds to the usability of the space considerably.

24 January 2003 The fascia is now added, and undercoated. It will be painted in the regulation "mission brown" over the next few days

1 February 2003 The view down the "long side" of the layout, from the Staging Yard to Kelvin, showing the now continuous brown fascia in place.

Staging Yard testing and "Mind the Gap"

January 2001 The staging yard was dropped back into place in January 2001. Here we see it on the first day's testing. The board was taken out and work began on installing the switchmasters and the wiring on 18 December, almost exactly one month ago. There doesn't appear to be a lot to show, does there ... but we can see the thumbwheel switch, the toggle switch which is used to convert the "kickback" into a programming track, and the shelf holding the power supplies and the EasyDCC system unit. The switches will be installed into a fascia across the front of the Staging Yard, but that will wait until more of the layout is completed and the right depth can be determined.

Mind the Gap!. There is about 20 inches needing to be "bridged" with a temporary left-out section before trains can run. It will be temporary in nature to facilitate removal of Kelvin for the Adelaide exhibition later in the year.

Switchmaster's and Switching Frogs

	December 2000 After I soldered the droppers to the rails, and laid the "bus" wires, my son took over for a day. Whilst I did some other important non-railway work (like wrapping Christmas presents) Chris managed to solder up all the wires below the baseboard, and added some more where needed. Wonder whether it will ever work .... Note the board clamped vertically to allow easy access to either side for this type of work. Much, much easier than trying to do the wiring from underneath the layout.
	Here we see the eight switchmasters installed under the Tumby Bay end of the Staging Yard, waiting their control wiring.
	Tracklaying in the Staging Yard. The seven track yard (You can never have enough...) representing Tumby Bay has been basically laid, with just the rear three tracks needing some additional spiking.
	Another View - showing the differences between the American "switch ties" used under the turnouts and leads and the "sleepers" of the British Peco OO9 flex track. After painting (no ballasting, as it is after all simply staging) I am hoping the differences will not be so noticeable.
	Progress painting the backdrop. Did I ask you all to excuse the mess?
	...and more

	November 2000 The backdrop has now been installed (November 2000) and has been undercoated. It uses masonite attached to battens, which in turn are attached to the walls. The corners have been "coved" into quite sharp curves. You will, of course, excuse the mess!
	Don't you just love the curtain!! Now you know why I was so keen to have the backdrop installed so early. Newspapers are to protect the floor and equipment stored under the framing from paint whilst I applied the undercoat.
	Work on the staging yard has progressed to the extent that most of the cork underlay has been glued in place. You can see the two levels, with the branch line yard at a higher level towards the back. The connecting track between the two stub ended yards will ultimately permit continuous running for the days when I just feel like watching the trains run

Last updated 25-Aug-03

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