Improving Large Fiddle Yard - N Gauge Loft Layout - Ep 14

[@EmperorsPath]

im not an N gauge modeller but I really like this layout! Fiddle Yards are such a key piece in my mind! Subscribed

[@PeterJohnsonWales]

I really like your use of cork board pins as buffers in the fiddle yard. Very cost effective! I'm binge watching your videos BTW, having only recently found your channel, & enjoying them immensely - thx for sharing.

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Hi Geoff - good explanation of how and why you wanted to expand the Fiddle Yard. Like you my yard was under a plywood cover. I changed this to a hinged perspex lid. Great to be able to view the tracks. Anyway good changes to your own yard. Cheers Euan

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks Euan. The perspex lid sounds interesting and a very good idea. I felt like it was such a large space that i could really add some good scenics to the area, i guess time will tell if that was a wise decision lol. Thanks again, all the best, Geoff

[@paulyoung3404]

Brilliant love the new lighting system.

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much Paul :)

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

Again really enjoyed the video Geoff. My loft presently is hitting 40 deg C during the day, so until I put a window in not much being done up there. Busy building Metcalfe kits at the moment. Watching your layout gives me the inspiration to continue with my N gauge layout. Cannot wait to start building the base, but in the meantime enjoying where you are. I cannot see anyone on the internet selling unitrack or even letting on what is available in that range at the moment, so for you to make a purchase already is unbelievable. Regards Chris

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks Chris, ahh yes I love a Metcalfe kit but they can become all encompassing. Wow that is hot, looking at the comments I’ve received it looks like I’ve got it ok, I put that down to the Superquilt insulation, you might want to check it out, very easy to install and meets all current regs. Cheers Geoff

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Hi Geoff - that was a really good video about your Fiddle yard. Like you my fiddle yard was covered with a plywood top. I changed mine to hinged perspex so I can see what's going on under cover. Cheers Euan

[@grahammummery5732]

Another top video Geoff! Well done & thank you!

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much Graham 👍🏻

[@DarrenMalin]

just discovered this N gauge shenanigans , me like :) binge watching your channel now, thank you Sir :)

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks Darren, hope you’re enjoying it still. More to come in the Autumn! Cheers Geoff

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

You've been busy there Geoff. 🚂🚃🚃🚃

[@PrideParkway]

Certainly have all done over the course of a week hence the many different t shirts in the video 👍🏻

[@andrewsartorius7350]

What a amazing layout mate well done

[@PrideParkway]

Thank you so much. Cheers Geoff

[@capitallines]

Just subscribed. Using foam board for a cover rather than ply is an excellent idea, no idea why I never considered it. It'll make ideal dust covers on my layout.

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Steve, it does the job really well and is great value too! All the best, Geoff

[@barclaylower]

Great lay out

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much Steven

[@timstrainvideos142]

great video and good job with the fiddle yard

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks Tim 👍🏻

[@toki_-_wartooth]

another great video, for your heat issues in the summer get a portable air con unit, i got one through groupon and wow its a godsend!!! just need a way to exhaust the hot air out of the loft which is easily done

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Jon, thanks very much. With another hot one due this weekend i might just do that. I hadnt thought about Groupon but i'll take a look. All the best, Geoff

[@karlsage3064]

Another great video, Geoff. Again, some great ideas. Fiddleyard looking good. Thanks for the velcro idea, I shall use that with my foam board!

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks Karl, i'm planning to put out a quick update video on a few lose ends so i'll let you know how i get on with the velcro. Thanks again for your support. Cheers Geoff

[@Chandwell]

First time I’ve seen this layout. It is looking great - my small layout is enough work! Looking forward to seeing more updates. Stay safe!

[@PrideParkway]

Hey thanks very much for your kind words, i'm subbed to your channel and really enjoying the bridge build and that clever little trick for the Dapol Pacers. Thanks again, All the best, Geoff

[@steveharper5536]

Great job again Geoff. some interesting projects ahead look forward to following your progress on Pride Parkway

[@PrideParkway]

Cheers Steve, I've spent a lot of time on little jobs over the last couple of weeks too, i'll cover them on a June layout update. All the best Geoff

[@MM-vt1ir]

Hi Geoff. Lovely layout you have, and thanks for the video sharing. A nice improvement of the fiddle yard you've done. I was thinking of the excess heat you mentioned in the loft. If you are able too - and only a suggestion, is at both ends to put in a small ventilation opening of sort, which could help with air crossflow and eliminate that heat, quickly too. Have a chat with someone you or your friends may know to see if achievable? It does not have to be Gucci ;-) Very well done. Cheers Iain

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks Iain for your kind words. The ventilation idea sounds like a great idea and actually something I could very easily do as there is vent space around the superquilt. All the best Geoff

[@moorlandmodelrailwayandy]

Great job Geoff you need the fiddle yard to work for you and have maximum access which it seems you've got now. Love how the layouts coming together cheers Andy

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much Andy. Cheers Geoff

[@DrAl60103]

A good system you're building here, with a good range of areas (viaduct shall be impressive when scenic-ed). If you are less keen on electrofrogs, then let me know, as a DC user I much prefer them to the unifrogs, so might even be able to straight swap some.

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much, yes the viaduct will soon be getting some scenics started. I dont mind the electrofrog points, they work well. its simply a case of remembering the insulated joiners and i have a habit of forgetting about them lol. They are all laid now so all good. Cheers Geoff

[@harperlarry49]

That is a BIG fiddle yard. Looks like you have a bunch of wiring to do. I just finished doing some wiring under my layout. Not fun in the heat of the day. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much Larry. All wired up now apart from the frogs. I use terminal blocks for my DCC bus so luckily that makes life a little easier. Thanks again. All the best Geoff

[@Miertreg1]

Nice video nice train ! LG Gert

[@PrideParkway]

Thank you 😊

[@dougparkjunction]

Have you thought about putting a switch on each siding power line so when a train isn’t used you can isolate it? Might help prolong the life of coach LEDs and decoders when trains aren’t needed. Also save you a little on you power consumption. Like the improvements you have made, it looking a lot better. Rich.

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Rich it is something I’m going to look into, I’ll probably tackle it at the same time as the point motors and incorporate it all in to one control panel. Cheers Geoff

[@davidhale7551]

Hi Geoff, Great video. It's good to see a large N gauge layout, mine would fit in a corner. I must admit I had a quiet chuckle about the temp, being in Australia, 30 c is considered to be warm. Keep up the great work, I'll be following along learning things Dave

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Dave, thanks for your kind words i'm glad you enjoyed it. Wow yeah, I couldn't imagine a loft layout in Australia! Thanks again, Geoff

[@Rule1ModelRailways]

This is the channel I meant from earlier! Some good shots of a fiddle yard similar to yours in dimensions here on my channel! :D

[@PrideParkway]

Ah sorry yes, I thought you looked familiar in your driving channel. I already sub to your channel. Lovely layout you’re building. All the best Geoff

[@Rule1ModelRailways]

@@PrideParkway Yes, my bad! :D

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Hi Geoff- As usual your video was full of good tips and nicely demonstrated. Good idea of the foamboard as you say lightweight but strong. I have used it for my backscenes. Storage is always an issue with my layout only being 10ft X 8ft I didn't go for a fiddle yard but I still wonder if I should have used one of the 8ft sides as a fiddle yard …………...….Keep safe Kev

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Kev, I hope you’re keeping well! Thanks for your kind words, it’s always a difficult one as you can end up loosing 25% or more of the layout to a fiddle card. The other option would be to use cassettes style system? All the best Geoff

[@oliver.p168]

Great video I have started building my own layout and have used loads of products that were in your video's

[@PrideParkway]

Great to hear Oliver, glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers Geoff

[@johnfenney2493]

Another interesting video update. Just how many dark t-shirts do you own? 🤗

[@PrideParkway]

Haha a lot more than the amount of trains I own 😂. Cheers Geoff

[@tomconnor1710]

This came up on my home page today - impressive! Can you explain what it is about the insulfrog points that you prefer over the electro frogs? Thanks.

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Tim thank you. So it actually the Unifrog points that i prefer, ive had a few people get in touch with me asking about them so i'm going to look to make a quick video on them in the future. Basically you get the same effect as electrofrog points but the 'dead' area is much smaller so you get much more reliable running. Hope that makes sense but if not feel free to reach out to me on my Facebook page. Cheers Geoff

[@SuperTreble1999]

brilliant work.. its coming along really well.. where are your retaining walls from please? they look really well

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much. They are scratch made using grey board covered with slaters 2mm stone platicard. I've got some more to make in the next few weeks so i'll make a video to include how i paint them, its really simple. Cheers Geoff

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Geoff, very interesting video, it’s one of the areas I’m thinking about storage. I haven’t in my plan allowed for a storage yard although I’ve ummed and ahh’d about having a helix to a lower level but have ruled it out for now. I’m hoping to have enough room built in to have enough storage for now. Keeping it simple is key for me in terms of track and points. As you say points are expensive and so are point motors too both being quite difficult to get hold of! I really do look forward to your future projects and your next video, cheers John

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks very much John. My last layout didn't have a storage yard as it was smaller and I wanted to focus on the scenic areas, it turned out to be my biggest regret as n gauge can be a pain to get on and off the track. I love the idea of a Helix but not sure i'm brave enough with my skill level yet lol. All the best, Geoff

[@RM-io7qo]

Hi Geoff. I have just discovered your layout this very afternoon. I too, am building a layout in N gauge based upon the former Midland Railway line between Chee Tor tunnel 1 through Millers Dale and finally Bakewell in the LMS period. It's just a straight end to end layout with about 20' or so of working space. I notice that you are using code 55 track and points. What type of rail joiners are used to join these oddly shaped tracks together? Take care...

[@PrideParkway]

Hi John, Sounds like its going to be a great layout and 20' of space is fantastic, you should be able to do a lot with that! I'm using the peco SL-310n rail joiners, they are very small and fiddly but they work well. I also use a 1mm thick piece of plasticard when joining the rails. This gives space for expansion in the tracks during the summer heat and leaves a gap to create that clickity clack sound from the trains running. Hope that helps. All the best, Geoff

[@RM-io7qo]

@@PrideParkway Thanks for your response, Geoff, it's greatly appreciated and is your tip for putting the rail joiners in place. Take care...

[@theGerry000]

Hi Geoff, I'm just starting both with N gauge and in a new loft, I used to be OO. I'd not thought of only having points at one end of the fiddle yard before, I might look at it now. As you are running with this setup is there any down sides to it? Thanks Gerry

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Gerry, i'm really pleased with how it works with just the one set of points and its a big cost saving. I do run a lot of HST's so that makes it easier but for traditional trains you have to reverse them out of the fiddle yard and then drive them forward but thats no big deal for me. All the best, Geoff

[@banggotyoujunctioncarlbraund]

What is your insulation in your loft, as at the moment I can fry eggs in my loft

[@PrideParkway]

I feel your pain. Its a product called YBS superquilt. I'd recommend it. It comes on a roll and basically looks like a big silver duvet. you simply roll it out, staple it to the rafters and then seal the joints with tape, much cheaper than other methods and meets all current building regs. Cheers Geoff

[@mtty1988]

Is unifrog just a Electra frog that you wire up as insulfrog

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Matthew, no it’s a new range from Peco the frog is much smaller than an electro frog so less chance of a loco stalling on the crossing. I’ll look to do a video on them soon! Cheers Geoff

[@mtty1988]

Pride Parkway how much are tbey and I mean do you wire as insul frog or electro frog

[@PrideParkway]

You use metal joiners on all the rails and there is a wire on the frog that you can connect if you chose too. These are n gauge so there’s no need to make any modifications to them (I like what many 00 modellers do to 00 Peco points.

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

I thought my 00 gauge fiddle yard is big but your N gauge fiddle yard just dwarfs mine in size but as always great progress and can't wait for more also i just noticed you reached 600 subs so i will give you a shout out in my up coming video if you want to check out my channel then click on the channel icon above this comment and please subscribe. Thanks for sharing.

[@PrideParkway]

Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated. Your channel is looking good, just dropped you a sub and watched your town scene video. Looking forward to seeing your layout develop. All the best, Geoff

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

@@PrideParkway Thankyou Geoff for subscribing and look out for the May layout update which will be out at the end of the month where i will give you and a few guys on youtube a shout out.