Behind The Scenes

One of the sidings on our Thornycroft layout goes through a large factory building but most of this building is 'off stage'. A small fiddle yard sticking out behind the back scene is needed to accommodate wagons sent into the factory.

For layout transportation (it is portable) this protrusion needs to be removed. The first idea was to put it on a hinge that folds flat to the baseboard frame. However, in practice the give in the hinge made the assembly too sloppy for accurate track alignment. A more rigid arrangement was needed and the method that worked best was a single stud screwed into the end with a wing nut and washer holding it firmly against the baseboard frame.

Some error of squareness crept in that lead to the assembly taking on a downward slope! This was compensated for by two small wood screws screwed into the end whose heads act as stoppers.

The wiring to the track should be on a plug and socket to facilitate complete removal of the assembly but for expediency it was permanently wired. For transportation the assembly is unscrewed and simply laid on the top of the baseboard in a non scenic area with a strap to hold it down.

David