Minories in TT:120 - Part 1

Initial Ideas and Planning 

Back in December 2024, after initially thinking I was going to abandon TT:120 and build a layout in OO gauge, I started a new project with what little TT:120 I had left after selling most of it.

It was based on a well-known plan by Cyril J. Freezer - Minories.

For those that don't know, this was a plan that debuted in 1957 to coincide with the original launch of the Triang TT range (later becoming known as TT3, or 3mm scale). CJF had come up with the deceptively simple design using inspiration from the Liverpool Street Metropolitan station, resulting in an urban terminus station with 3 platforms, a pilot siding - and an arrangement of points which results in any movement only involving one reverse curve; or in practise, a very satisfying snaking of the coaches through the points when arriving or departing the station.  

Initially I tried to create the plan using the Peco TT:120 medium points, but this resulted in a board length that I didn't have space for. Limiting it to just small points helped but then I thought it may be a better homage to the original plan and the Triang TT launch to use just Hornby TT:120 track pieces. Whilst there are downsides to this, namely the insulfrog nature of the set track points, it would be a simpler proposition and result in a working layout more quickly. The initial plan is shown below:

6 sections, 6 points and a total scenic length of 147cm - with an initial plan to have it live on my shelf where the previous shelf layout fitted. A fiddleyard would be kept separate and attached during operating sessions. Unlike the original plan, it wouldn't be folding, but the layout would still be portable with the baseboards again making use of the excellent Scale Model Scenery kits. 

The setting would be based around The Easterner Set - an eastern region terminus during era 4/5.  

I'll be posting the construction of this layout over a series of posts. Next will be further revisions to the plan and trying to enhance operations with goods facilities.