The fiddle yard consists of 5 cassettes each 1125mm in length and constructed from a plywood base and aluminium angle 20mm x 20mm x 3mm spaced to 16.5mm and screwed to the ply. Power is controlled via an on/off switch on the console. Each cassette has power supplied by a 4 pin din plug from the track to each cassette. The blue wire is common return and the red is power. When the 4 pin mini din plug is plugged in it is always in the same position when the cassette in turned around. This method of fiddle yard was necessary because of restricted space,a turntable in my view would have been more ideal. The cassette storage system is nothing new but this arrangement was a collaboration between good friends Peter Street, Richard Grace, Peter Steel and myself. I hope this idea is of help to someone who has a similar problem with space.
Burrowa is an HO scale model railway set in the NSW southern tablelands 
That’s brilliant! Love your work
Hi Chris.
Thanks for your comment and interest in my site.Regards Peter
Hello Peter,
I have been following the development of “Burrowa” for some time now and I am in the process of building my own terminal station based on Coolah. Your layout is definitely an inspiration.
I too am limited for space and will have to build a cassette system. The one you have built looks like the answer.
I do have a couple of questions if I may?
1) Given your limitations of space against the wall, once you pick up a cassette to turn it how do you achieve turning a 1.1 meter object? Do you have a table away from the layout to place the cassette on so the operator can move to the other side to pick it up before replacing it in the “rack”?
2) How secure is the rolling stock in the cassette from falling out (not end to end – you have that covered, but over the top)? I guess I am worried about an operator bumping the cassette and loosing possibly $1000 worth of models on the floor.
Thanks for your assistance and keep up the good work.
Kind regards
Graham
Hello Graham,
Thank you for your comments and interest in my site. To answer your question regarding turning of the cassette, basically I just turn it around by balancing it on the edge/side of the cassette table. The two handles make it quite stable. I have to be very careful and it’s ok when on my own but when friends are here it becomes a little difficult so I am very careful when balancing on the side/edge of the cassette table making sure it is balanced and level in the centre. A table away from the layout would be an option especially if children are around.
You would have to drop the cassette or have someone really knock you for the rolling stock to fall out. I have never had a problem.
I do hope this explanation helps you. Regards Peter