Full size template has been so useful! Especially for making sure everything fits. As for the yards, my yard width is only 18” so easy access to all the tracks. The only uncoupling / handling on the BNSF tracks will be the locos when a train comes in. Just need to uncouple to locos and switch them over to the other end of the train. This yard is purely staging, so the same trains go back out and are then switched on the yard of the first level.

I already have the required fixtures from FastTracks (bought them years ago), but not sure if I’ll use them as I’m using Peco track and it’s not easy matching that up with the Micro Engineering rail required for the FastTracks fixtures. Not writing it off though as I’d love to use handlaid turnouts

Very true, especially if I need to remove turnouts at any stage. In fact, I did have to replace one as one of the point rails came loose. I just slid the joiners back onto the short section and slid the turnout out, no need to unsolder any wires (it was before I had connected the frog wire underneath)

Hi Thomas. Yes, no error given. Yes, I could remove the bars, but it was easier to just put in an extra bit of rail. The rail is press-fit into the control bars, and can come out easily if pushed, so I’d rather not touch the control bars - I’ve ruined too many turnouts in the past removing control bars. 5:41 - yes, agree, I could possibly have done this, but again, easier just to add the extra track, and again for the reason above.

It’s really easy to cut flex, but another reason is I use Peco code 55, and that does not match easily with Atlas code 55 (Peco code 55 is actually code 80 sunk into the ties)

Unfortunately not yet. I’ve been concentrating on the lower staging. However will begin planning on the next deck soon - not calling it the ‘upper’ deck as I might have another deck on top of that at some stage, so just calling it the ‘main’ deck for now. However I can say that there will be a yard above the lower staging, where the track comes out of the helix onto the ‘main’ deck. This will be Western Avenue yard, and will be a classification yard with a small loco facility. This yard feeds into interchange with NS and CN, and also provides trains for local switching

Ha ha! He’s welcome to build all my yard turnouts...in N scale! I might use FastTracks for my mainline turnouts, but not the yard ones. I use Peco flex track and it’s a pain to match that up with Micro Engineering track (used for FastTracks)...don’t mind doing it for the mainline turnouts but not for every single yard turnout 😀😀

I didn’t think of using one of those...that is a great idea! I don’t really need the extra length, but anything to save having to add more turnouts would be great - I’ll have a look into it! Thanks for the idea!

James, just had a quick look - Walthers have Trix version, but it is $419! The Marklin version is HO only unfortunately. I could buy a lot of turnouts for that price...I’ll keep looking, but they aren’t cheap