Inglenook or Fork ?

[Ribérac]

Hello everyone,

I am planning to build a very small switching layout. Which one is the best solution: inglenook or fork ? 
Are two longer sidings better than three short ones ? It certainly looks more realistic to have two 5-wagon sidings than three 3-wagon sidings but I just want a small layout for funny switching operations. All your comments and advices will be very appreciate. Thanks.

I also read these two websites:
http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-103-november-2010/
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/index.html

 

Edited February 23, 2019 by Ribérac

[murrayec]

Hi Riberac

For fun switching operations I reckon the more sidings, the more movement operations can be done?

For funny switching operations you could always tell jokes while running the layout

Eoin

[jhb171achill]

I would agree with murrayec.

Depends what you want to shunt, I suppose, but with only two sidings, shunting opportunities are limited to virtually nothing......just back and forth.

When space is very limited (as with me, too), compromises have to be made!

[Irishrailwayman]

On 2/23/2019 at 2:48 PM, Ribérac said:

Hello everyone,

I am planning to build a very small switching layout. Which one is the best solution: inglenook or fork ? 
Are two longer sidings better than three short ones ? It certainly looks more realistic to have two 5-wagon sidings than three 3-wagon sidings but I just want a small layout for funny switching operations. All your comments and advices will be very appreciate. Thanks.

I also read these two websites:
http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-103-november-2010/
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/index.html

 

Hi, this is the configuration I drew up for my Shunters Yard layout (4 feet by 9 ins) with the 3-way point acting as a space saver (I have since included a fiddle-yard 2-foot long at one end to left of mirror):

 

For my Diesel Depot layout I configured the track as follows with a double-slip as space saver with two other L/H  points giving 6 sections to shunt locos/oil wagons around (again a 2-foot 2-road fiddle-yard has been added. This layout is 4.5 feet by 1 foot). Note that the mirror makes it look like I have two layouts back to back:

 

Both layouts incorporate DCC sound, extensive lighting, Kadee uncoupling magnets buried under ballast and Z21 DCC controlled points on Diesel Depot.

[jhb171achill]

The three-way point was a great space saver for me too, although they were rare in Ireland.

One place that did have them - at least two - was Polloxfen's Mill sidings at Ballisodare, Co. Sligo. This would in itself make an excellent prototype for a shunting layout.

There was one at Fenit too, hidden in weeds....

[patrick]

3 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

The three-way point was a great space saver for me too, although they were rare in Ireland.

One place that did have them - at least two - was Polloxfen's Mill sidings at Ballisodare, Co. Sligo. This would in itself make an excellent prototype for a shunting layout.

There was one at Fenit too, hidden in weeds....

Where? Maybe before the pier was rebuilt in the fifties?

[jhb171achill]

It was at the Tralee end of the station, on the left as you entered.

Now, the pier.... I hadn't thought about that - it's possible there was one out there too, though I doubt it.

Edited February 27, 2019 by jhb171achill

[David Holman]

Check out any of Iain Rice's books on the subject.:

Finescale in small spaces

Urban Layouts

Cameo Layouts

 As well as fun with shunting, you can make the layout look good too.

Edited March 2, 2019 by David Holman