Accessibility:
Layout is on the ground floor but does have a 29" pinch point in the aisle. Layout height is at 50" and results in needing to stand while operating but breaks are available between runs.
Layout Description:
“This is what I’d do if I were starting over.”, said a guest operator. The YN&P was built in three months following a move from San Antonio in May, 2022. Unlike its predecessor, the YN&P is designed to relocate without destruction. The design priority is reliability and simplicity. It’s retro DC, one block, one train at a time, but it will keep three operators busy for a three hour session switching 18 industries, 46 spots . Walk-in, comfy 48” aisle, 50” height, 30” max reach, 28 manual switches. Everything works.
Crew:Three - Conductor, engineer, and brakeman rotate jobs after each train. Crew members are always busy. There is no down time. No other trains to wait for—you’re IT.
Operations Scheme:
Staged trains originate at Yonder from a five track, 30 car fiddle yard. Average train length is 6 cars. All trains are turns and work Nier and Pharr and return to Yonder. Average run time is 45 minutes. There are no switching puzzles or gimmicks. Trackage is simple and logical. Sounds too easy, but in three hour ops sessions no one has yet run a fourth train.
Over 700 modern railcars are stored in nearby Shelf Yard. Railcars are moved by hand between storage and fiddle yard.
Minimalist scenery is out of the box trees and acrylic craft paint dirt, weeds, and pavement. Like camouflage, it will fool the eye. No ballast, ground foam, plaster, or water. Just represent.
The emphasis is on fun. The layout is a game board. The locos and railcars are playing pieces. The manifest is the game plan. Complete your run and you win!
Guest Comments:“Excellent.” “It’s a different concept.” “Challenging, fun.” “Very interesting, busy.” “Great fun!”
It’s simple, done well.
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