Minories in TT:120 - Part 7

Trying to build a Sulzer

Whilst the previous post discussed adding variety to trains - this will tackle the locomotive problem. No denying that there are many locos available in the scale now but they aren't often coherent or prototypically matched.

 

I started with the Easterner Set as I wanted my layout to be in the transition era where British Rail withdrew steam and transitioned to diesels. This offers the most variety in a prototypical setting without resorting to a make believe heritage railway where anything runs.

 

I also bought the green Class 08 to act as a pilot loco. But unfortunately beyond that there wasn't much else. I originally preordered the Class 37 and J50 as well as the Heljan Deltic and Class 122 bubblecar but they're still not available (or out of stock for the recent releases).

 

As my layout was supposed to be a terminus based in the Eastern region, I set about creating something suitable. 

 

My inspiration was this post on the Hornby forum and accompanying video - though a 25 wasn't quite right for me, being a mainly LMR loco. So off I went to Lincoln Locos and ordered a Class 24 3D printed body instead, along with a cheap GWR Class 43 HST set to carve up.

 

What ensued was an even more trying test of my patience, particularly when it came to grinding the metal chassis!

 

 

In all it probably took 3 months to complete, but that was working on and off when I could muster the courage to tackle the next job. Painting was done carefully with simple brushed on Railmatch acrylics - I'm sure airbrushing would result in a better job! - with transfers supplied by Railtec. Window glazing was GlueNGlaze which works a treat once you get a hang of it

 

Couplers were also an issue - I resorted to cutting the fronts of the bodies and then glueing the TT coupler between the two halves, to ensure the right height for coupling with other rolling stock. Technically the bogies are slightly too far forward but I didn't want to alter the drive train too much. For shuttling passenger trains in and out of Minories, it'll do and was a useful exercise to try new techniques and learn new skills. 

 

Minories in TT:120 - Part 6

Adding variety to my trains

Anyone familiar with TT:120 will be aware that whilst the initial and ongoing range from Hornby is impressive for a new scale, still is nowhere near what's available in other scales. In looking for alternative options I decided to try out a couple of avenues; 3D prints and wooden kits.

3D Prints 

First up are no doubt the easier option. There are a number of suppliers now selling 3D printed rolling stock, including MDN Designs and Inoxion and perhaps others by the time I write this.

 

With only limited options available from Hornby and Peco (7 planks, GWR vents, 12t tankers and not a lot else) to suit a transition era setting, these additional offerings are welcome.

 

For my layout, I bought a mixture from both including the 3 plank wagon,  BR van, conflat and tanker from MDN Designs, and different varieties of vent/box vans from Inoxion.

 

These come ready to assemble and paint - you may need to only add suitable wheels and couplings. For the MDN designs, be prepared to buy Dapol NEM coupling pockets to fiddle with, whilst the Inoxion come with their own design to allow for articulation, which whilst a bit fiddly to assemble, works well in practice.

 

One particularly welcome offering is from SJL Models; a standard BR brake van. These are also available in finished painted form too.

Wooden Kits 

The next option is wooden laser cut kits from Osborns Models who offer a wider variety than is available 3D printed, but at a steeper entry point in terms of skill required to finish them to a sufficient standard.

 

I started with the 16 ton mineral wagons, then some LMS vents, an ex-LNER CCT and an ex-SECR Utility Van.

 

Whilst these are harder to complete, they do come with everything you need except consumables such as paint, sandpaper, glue, transfers etc. and building them is perhaps in itself, a worthwhile endeavour, even if it the output isn't perfect.

 

 

One particular failing was fitting a part on the 16 ton minerals the wrong way around, and then having to take it apart, refit, glue and repaint and reapply transfers. It's certainly a lesson in patience!

 

Minories in TT:120 - Part 5

Tackling gremlins

At this point I had a layout that could be operated and tested to my hearts desire, but as I mentioned in the previous post, I wasn't happy with the Hornby controller. As well as making the Class 08 sound particularly unhealthy, it didn't get on at all with the Class A4, which would require half power and then shoot off... but I couldn't blame that entirely on the Hornby controller as I suspected a duff 3 pole motor to be at fault too.

 

After some basic troubleshooting, I decided the only option was to perform the equivalent of open heart surgery and replace the factory 3 pole with a coreless motor. Thankfully, ThisWayWorks provides just the thing!

 

A relatively simple process that just involved some fine soldering essentially. If you're comfortable with that, it's a doddle to swap these out. Testing with the Gaugemaster Combi resulted in a much smoother running locomotive, with fine slow speed control now too.

 

Another thing to sort was storage. Nobody enjoys constantly unpacking and repacking rolling stock into manufacturer sleeves and boxes. So I ordered from pick and pluck foam sheets from eBay, and some 2.5L really useful boxes and now I have ample storage for Minories.  

 

 

Minories in TT:120 - Part 4

 Completing the other modules

Next up was completing the comparatively simple station and fiddleyard boards - 

 

 

Initially I planned to use just the included Hornby controller - but this was later swapped out for a Gaugemaster Combi and CDU to power the points as well as providing smoother DC power.

 

The volt and amp meters were just an afterthought - I had them spare so thought why not add them.

 

So that got us to the stage where wiring and track where complete... why not add the bridge to cover the exit - 

 

 

This obviously required clearance testing  and running a few trains!

 

Minories in TT:120 - Part 3

Adding some buildings

Buildings in TT:120 are unfortunately scarce - Hornby released a range of resin items, and of course there's the initial kits from Peco, but other than that it's slim pickings. Fortunately though, N scale items which are often overscale, can be substituted, and there's a growing range of 3D printed building suppliers too.

 

I decided to use a mixture of these for the buildings on the station throat module -

 

 A 3D printed signal box in the LMS style - a little bit fragile but satisfying to finish off with suitable paints. Next are a couple of Ratio N kits -  

Finally some Metcalfe N gauge retaining walls were added - 

 

 

Minories in TT:120 - Part 2

Finalising the plan

Further revisions of the plan from last time were developed -  

These added a kickback siding off either platform 3 or 2, using an additional point or replacing a point with a double slip. As there isn't a double slip easily available in TT:120 (unless you want to buy the Tillig one for ££), I settled on the additional left hand point variation. I also realised that I would need more track in the fiddleyard to have a hope of accommodating a schedule to keep it entertaining.

The final plan

This retained the kickback siding, although limiting it to just enough space for a wagon and a brake van, but expanded the fiddleyard into four sidings for both down and up directions. This meant using a longer baseboard for this module - another SMS018 kit but with a centre piece added (BB023) taking the total length to 256cm. It's at this point that I started to think maybe even TT:120 isn't the right scale for me. Three modules that total over 2.5m and can't be left out permanently is pushing the limits for my current living situation.

 

Regardless, construction began with the baseboards receiving a coat of sealing paint both externally and internally -

 After that was done, each module could be constructed individually, starting with the station throat - 

Next time, I'll be adding some buildings and starting on the station board.

Broker Street

After I gave up on TT:120 last time, I was left with the remains of the baseboard sitting on the shelf in my spare room.

It was a SMS baseboard kit, BB017 and two of the fiddleyards. This gave me a total layout area of 1.1m long x 25cm deep, and 80cm by 15cm of fiddleyard space.

At this point I'd built up quite a collection of OO LMS rolling stock (again with long winded intentions to eventually build something to use them on) so I thought a small shunting layout which would be suitable for Jinty's and lots of vents was the ticket.

After spending some time reading through various track plan books, I came up with the idea for Broker Street -  

The intention being to use only OO set track but this eventually morphed into the track plan below as I ended up buying some used streamline electrofrog points off eBay -
 

The idea remained the same though - a few sidings for a couple of industries, a run around so a train could be rearranged and taken back off scene, that'd be plenty.

The track work and wiring was done in an afternoon - the points remain under manual control as they're easily reachable. Only two power feeds are required.

A simply Peco backscene was hastily applied. Some buildings mocked up in cardboard, a water tower built from a Ratio kit - and it's a lot of fun to operate. A gaugemaster W provides control from a 16v gaugemaster M1 AC transformer which sits below.

Some time later I decided to sell off most of my OO rolling stock - collecting stuff for a layout that may or may never be built is a fools errand I've learnt.

So what did I keep for this layout? 

 

 

Not a lot, just a simple Hornby LMS Jinty, some LMS Milk Vans, a Dapol Milk Tanker, a couple of open wagons, an LMS vent and an LMS cattle wagon, plus a couple of brake vans of course. That's all I need to entertain myself with this track plan for 15-30 mins a time.

I also bought some of the Manchester Model Railways kits, starting with a simple coaling stage -  

I've got some more still to complete, to add some buildings and depth. Eventually I'll get the ballasting and tunnel entrance added, but in the meantime it's just a simple layout that's fun to operate.