A non-profit organisation devoted to the collecting and operating of TTR, Trix Express and Trix 00 gauge trains

This three day exhibition provides the opportunity of displaying a large working Trix Twin layout.  Philip Cooke of the TTRCA volunteered to organise the display that is put on under the Sussex Vintage Model Railway club of which he is a member.

As can be imagined a large amount of servicing, repairs and selection is required so that items can be capable of reliable running over this long period.  How many fellow members have tried to run these old models over such a lengthy period?

Modelworld this year was on 17^th to 19^th February 2006. It took about an hour to arrange the eight tables in a reclined figure eight format with two operating wells. One side was to be Hornby Dublo and the other Trix Twin. 

Over twelve thousand people visited the exhibition over the three days. 

MODELWORLD

2006

The layout were basically three concentric circuits with the outer and inner linked with two cross over having a diamond crossing in both positions.  The centre circuit was independently wired.  All three had passing loops, two towards the front of the layout that ran through the Manyways station, which provided additional tracks and the possibility of more action.  The third loop was positioned to the left flank.

The reason for providing loops was two-fold, firstly so that whole trains could pass if necessary or rest when another took over, and for the first time in an exhibition Philip wired isolating sections with a switched supply to the centre rail. This meant that the loops could store trains and Philip didn’t have to fiddle around to check whether the pick-up shoes clashed with the other loco on the same circuit.

The exclusively pre-war points were wired to operate remotely, including linking the pairs for crossing and loops so that only one switch was required.  The only regret was that the set up provided insufficient depth to include the coal conveyor that is such a favourite with kids and provides even more action on the layout.

Control panel: Master Switch, AC controllers, and H&M unit for DC.

The track pieces had been subjected to a ‘spring clean’ by way of a 35 deg C. quick cycle in a dishwasher!  So long as the pieces are removed whilst still warm and transferred to an airing cupboard until thoroughly dry there is no chance for rust to form.  Its amazing how even the very old worn pieces clean up in this way.  A last gentle rub with old 320 grade wet and dry removes all the surface ‘nasties’ that cause a problem with electrical pick-up.

Although there were times when suddenly everything just stopped, how many have experienced that when trying to run AC locos!  The strange thing was that for nearly two hours the same three locos would run with hesitation and then suddenly one would run slower and slower eventually to give up completely and just at that time one other would develop a sudden short and blew the remain circuit.

Expert assistance was provided by Geoffrey Robinson (above left with Philip) and also Philip Brown. Geoffrey also assisted in adapting the wiring using a master switch as a terminal to connect a double circuit DC transformer/controller so that some very smooth and reliable running was seen from Schools, Britannia and EMI Bo-Bo’s.

Trix Schools 'Dover' DC loco with SR coaches

Custom-made bogie Guards Van with breakdown train of cranes and Engineers' coach

Trix Express 2-4-2 Tank Loco with rake of rare 'Paris-Basle' continental coaches.

Two Weltrol wagons with the unusual German transformer load

Photos from TTRCA display at Modelworld 2006

TTRCA

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