LNER_Fan

When TT:120 was launched, Hornby (via SK) clearly indicated they intended for phases 1-4 to comprise roughly the first year of availability. Equally clearly, that is, and will not be, happening - to the point that I'm really not sure the phases as defined mean anything at all beyond a shopping list of models that they definitely have planned for the scale. I'm eagerly awaiting the 9F and Black 5, along with the rest of the steam-era freight wagons, as there's really not much to do but run express trains in loops at the moment. But those are sometime off in Phase 3, clearly after the diesels they're currently trying to highlight. I sincerely hope post-SK Hornby are as dedicated to the new scale as he seemed to be, and differences along these lines aren't a contributor to his departure...

I have an NCE PowerCab, which won't work with the dongle from what Hornby have said. I am using it to power the layout though, and HM7000 and DCC happily co-exist, so in reality I can buy any 6-pin decoder that will fit in the 08 if I decide to go that route...

Hornby seem to be having trouble getting/keeping both the sets and bundles in stock, period. Presumably, they have a handle on the sales data that tells them how many are going to "repeat" buyers who have no use of a second/third/etc trainset controller and loop of track, vs. people taking their first bite of the TT:120 apple... And can adjust accordingly.

It's a real shame the HM7000 6-pin decoder isn't available alongside the 08. I had wanted all my new TT kit to run that way after trying it out with Scotsman, and it's causing me to put off buying one. Course, the alternative I'm eyeing is A3 Trigo, so Hornby wins either way I suppose...

I've been re-thinking my plan and came up with something new that has less track. No more full double-track circuit; it's a single-track main with the RH half as a passing loop, some good portion of which will become the station platform(s). Off both ends of the loop there are fewer, but longer, goods sidings - which I imagine will house some combination of goods shed, yard, and coal depot. As much as possible, I've tried to take out train-set symmetry. The track is no longer square to the base edges, but subtly offset at an angle, the straights curve slightly wherever possible, and the sidings all come off at non-parallel angles. I think it will make a better impression than having track 3, and even 4, lines deep in some places on such a small space...

Very nice work! I found this through your trackplanning thread, and you're making me re-think my own plans of trying to fit as much as possible in a limited space to doing much more limited trackwork, with nicer scenery and just one or two "signature" scenes.

Wow! Me too! I need to steal some time to watch the whole thing, but that double-headed steam with the wheelslip early on in the video is the kind of thing I live to model for. Looks like he's using ESU Loksound decoders, I'll have to look into them more because that is just fantastic...

Indeed! Neat suggestion, and here's what I've worked out, since I can juuuust about fit a R4 outer oval in the allotted space by removing most of the elements 'outside' the loop. The station would go as you suggest, with the platforms running from the goods loop points into the curve on the lower right. Engine shed and loco facilities branch off the new goods loop, and there's even room for an eventual turntable when something suitable exists in TT. Aside from the larger radius, which is always good, I see an advantage in this plan that the goods loop and small yard could be worked with a train running on the main line loop(s).

Greetings from across the Atlantic - I'm a US-based HO modeller, with a long-time secondary interest in British steam. Even managed to catch 60103 in full scale @ Paddington on a recent holiday to London; it was the highlight of the trip for my son as well. That has inspired me to grab a FS set from Hornby in their new TT:120 range, with the goal of building a small exhibition-style layout that can fit on a table top, and be fit under a bed or similar when not in use. Continuous running is a requirement to keep my son's interest (and I don't mind a nice railfan myself TBH), so roundy-round it is. I thought the Hornby TT:120 trackmat plan based on a R3/R2 double-track loop wasn't horrible, but I have a touch more room (3'x5') and thought I could add a bit more operational interest and fix some of the design challenges (facing points, lack of trailing crossovers). Top plan is the original Hornby TT:120 plan, bottom plan is my modifications. The concept is that the bottom of the revised plan will have a through passenger terminal good for 4-5 coaches, and the trailing points off to the engine shed @ right. The top half of the loop will represent the freight area, with a goods shed, coal yard and possibly industry (gasworks maybe?) on the various sidings. I *tried* to respect the fact that UK railways severely disliked facing points on the main, and added a second trailing crossover between the up and down mains to make a sizable passing loop. The left hand curve and central area of the layout will incorporate some kind of scenic block/tunnel arrangement to disguise the loop and increase the credibility at least a bit. Very open to comments/suggestions on ways to improve the plan, without giving up on continuous running, the scale, or the basic size of the base. Cheers, -Paul