Staging yards may be controlled like any other part of your railroad. Whether you use manual switches, a control panel, or a computer, make sure the turnout controls are easy to reach and understand. Label control panels clearly. Labeling is even more important if the tracks can not be seen.
Track capacity is always a concern when operating staging yards. Switch ladders can be arranged to keep some consistency in the length of each track, but rarely will all tracks be exactly the same. It is good practice to record the car capacity for each track in a clear location. It is usually easier to think of track capacity in terms of the number of cars it will hold, not its actual length. Not all cars are the same length however. Choose a common average car length for your railroad, 40 scale feet for example, and be consistent in your measurements.
If trains have a consistent length, for example a unit coal train that never gets modified or a self-propelled passenger car, creating a dedicated track for that train in staging ensures a good fit each time.
If your staging yard is part of a formal operating plan for the railroad, make sure operators understand how to use the yard. Provide a place for any paperwork that accompanies your trains. By providing a hook or box for each track, the paperwork can double as a block-occupancy detector. (No papers, no train.)
Make sure your operators know the procedures for using the yard.
- Who lines the switches?
- How do you select power?
- Do yard tracks need to be turned off when not in use?
- How will they know which track to use?
- How will they know when their train is clear / stopped if the yard is hidden?
- How will they know if the train will fit in the designated track?
Some of these questions can be answered by information on the fascia or control panels. An employee timetable (rulebook) or some verbal training can also go a long way toward making your operating sessions more enjoyable.
