What is meant by the term fiddle yard?

In the context of model railways, a "fiddle yard" refers to a hidden section of track used for staging and storing trains. It is typically located at the back or side of the layout and is designed to be hidden from view behind a scenery backdrop or other structures.

The fiddle yard is used to hold trains that are not currently in use on the layout, allowing them to be easily swapped in and out without disrupting the flow of the mainline operations. It may consist of a series of tracks or storage sidings and can be operated manually or with automated systems to control the movement of trains onto and off the layout.

The term "fiddle yard" is believed to have originated from the practice of "fiddling" with trains in the yard, sorting them into the desired order for placement on the layout. It is a common feature of many model railway layouts, particularly those with limited space or that require frequent train changes.