A Trix Twin Layout in Surrey
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Garry Lefevre’s latest layout in 2005
The layout was started in 2000. Over the past 5 years it has evolved
with changes and additions. Sometimes these changes were not a success and have
since been further modified. In the winter of 2003. I built a spiral to take
trains down under the layout to underground storage tracks. But two problems continuously occurred ; the
long trains derailed and TTR locos were not powerful enough to pull trains up
the spiral. My new layout solves the
problem. But first here are some views
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A view of the
original part of the layout as it is today. In the foreground is the back of
the engine shed. On the left is the
through station using TTR Manyways units.
In the background is the town built from a variety of kits. The
photo below shows the detail above the tunnel entrance
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Another view of the
engine yard. The turntable was made by Fleishmann for Märklin. It is 3 rail, but the outer rails are
insulated making it possible to use it for Trix, 2 or 3 rail.
Yard lamps are by
both TE and TTR |
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Track is both TTR fibre based or TE nickel silver super track with
universal points. I run a mixture of
pre-war TTR AC, post war Trix 2 and 3 rail and Märklin conventional and digital. This requires some complex wiring. The control panel enables me to switch the
entire layout over to any one of several modes by just turning a rotary switch. For example:-
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1 = TTR 3 rail AC 2 = 3 rail DC 3= 2 rail DC + 1side/centre AC 4= 2 rail DC + 1 side/centre rail DC 5= Märklin conventional 6= Märklin digital |
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All points and
signals are linked via relays to function together |
The panel slides under
the layout out of sight when not in use. |
Some more views of the station and town :-
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At the back a line
runs behind some buildings in a cutting.
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A
pre-war Trix Express train picking up passengers. The entrance to the subway on the platform
was designed by Trix in 1939 but never put into production. This one is reproduced in plastic card from
drawings shown in literature of the time.
Lights are by Brawa |
The most recent reconstruction was needed to provide underground
storage tracks which trains could reach without going down/up a spiral. This has been achieved by using the full
length of one wall to give a gradient of no more than 2% for the up line,
whereas to save space the down line is partly a spiral and part a gradient up
to 3 ½ %.
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The old spiral |
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The new
development. The steep down line
is in the front, going left before turning back and under. The up line is the
more gradual line on the left |
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On the right,
storage tracks under construction.
Below the finished two level storage.
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A freight train and the
diesel flier pass each other on the finished bend above the spiral
At this point it is
useful to see an overall plan.
‘A’ is a single down
line which loops back up at ‘B’.
The two lines at ‘C’
reappear at ‘D’
The terminal station,
still being developed is reached via a single track, winding round behind the
buildings to join the circle at two points on the top left creating a ‘Y’
junction. This enables trains to be run
out and back to the terminal using any of the 3 continuous circuits.
Below – a from the engine cab round the layout on
the inner circle
As night falls lights
can be switched on.
A Green Bo Bo pulling
some Pullmans.
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The through Station
at night |
From the platform –
a view of the town |
The engine yard at
night.
Yard lights in this
photo are all Trix Express
Future developments
include moving the engine yard next to the terminal station and building a
freight yard in its place. But that’s
for winter 2009 !!
Or
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