Building A TT:120 Model Railway - Episode 1: The Plan & Laying Track!

In Episode 1 of building a TT:120 model railway, I outline the plan for this new layout and start laying track!
Watch Episode 2 here: • Building A TT:120 Mode...
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This episode is proudly sponsored by The Model Centre!
Check out their full range at: tmc-direct.com
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So here we are - new layout, new scale and new video series! There's a lot to look forward to in the videos ahead as I embark on a journey to explore the new TT:120 scale from Hornby and PECO.
In this episode I outline the ambitious design for this new layout which features a double track circuit, reversing loop, a tunnel, bridge and even an upper level! Not wanting to waste any time I get straight on with the track laying too... but will I be able to get trains running before the end of the first episode - tune in to find out!
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Products Used:
Peco TT Flexible Track: www.themodelcentre.com/sl-1200
Peco TT Left Hand Point: www.themodelcentre.com/sl-u1296
Peco TT Right Hand Point: www.themodelcentre.com/sl-u1295
2mm Cork Underlay: amzn.to/3xzxMWk
PVA Glue: amzn.to/43TyZE5
Track Tacks: amzn.to/3UiGhOE
Drill: amzn.to/43UIlPI
1mm Piano Wire: amzn.to/3xwZoeT
2mm Tubing: amzn.to/4aSfihY
Double Sided Tape: amzn.to/3vFw4Cp
Craft Knife: amzn.to/4auk3Pd
Nail Punch: amzn.to/3xtkL0m
Feeder Wire: amzn.to/4cRsSnR
Bus Wire: amzn.to/43YAFfw
Soldering Iron: amzn.to/3TYNNg8
Wire Clips: amzn.to/3xwZTWj
Splice Connectors: amzn.to/3vO2Voy
DCC-EX Controller: ebay.us/oToeYt
Hornby TT A3 Night Hawk: prf.hn/l/1eLJ454
Hornby TT HST: prf.hn/l/gx1oQly
Hornby TT Mk1 Coaches: prf.hn/l/lQqp1pQ
Hornby TT Mk3 Coaches: prf.hn/l/jXnZ9qJ
The above contains affiliate links, meaning that I earn a small commission from any purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:30 - The Plan
04:31 - Point Work
10:38 - Track Laying
13:58 - The Main Circuit
19:37 - Wiring & Power
22:18 - First Test!
Thanks for watching 🚂

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Watch Episode 2 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmqkoWeiseWrrM Become A Channel Member to get Early Access: kzbin.infojoin

[@h_draw]

Quite the elaborate plan, looking forward to how this goes, hope your dad enjoys this when it’s done.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It's definitely an ambitious project! I hope he enjoys it too given how much I've managed to include... I think he's looking forward to doing the scenery. Thanks for watching 🤩

[@taunmarc88]

I’m already in love with TT and I’m so pleased you are doing this layout. I can’t wait to see the end result and get all the tips and tricks along the way.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! It's great to hear so many people are excited for the new layout - hopefully it'll live up to expectations! Thanks for watching 😃

[@brad2861]

Not going to lie, was a little disappointed when I first saw the announcement and thought it would be a simple oval. Now seeing the full desgin I'm very excited! Very ambitious, looking forward to seeing how that elevated terminus station will end up!!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I didn't want to give too much away in the trailer 😉 As you've seen there's a lot more to the design and loads of new techniques I'll be trying out for the first time too. I'm approaching this very differently to my previous layouts since I didn't want to just repeat the same old stuff time and time again so hopefully that will make the videos extra interesting too. Thanks for watching 🤩

[@brad2861]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Absolutely. Excited to see how it all goes!

[@michaelrichardson5443]

I have been looking at getting into model trains for the first time after many years of other modelling and have been really interested in the TT range and looking forward to watching through the series.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, it's definitely a good scale for beginners to start with in my opinion - especially if you're limited on space. Glad you're enjoying the videos, there's another on be released tonight! Thanks for watching 😃

[@kclassproductions]

I love watching your videos on building model railways, I was so glad to learn that you are building another!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

And I'm so glad to hear that you're looking forward to the new series! Hopefully it'll live up to expectations. Thanks for watching 😃

[@kclassproductions]

I'm sure it will!@@ThatModelRailwayGuy

[@janeswift9961]

I really like the idea of the double sided tape, not so much the use of pins where it is possible to see the sleepers bowing. Very keen to see how this all pans out. TT:120 is such a great idea.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It definitely makes laying the points easier and has other benefits too that become apparent in future episode. The pins in the plain track can usually be removed once the ballast has been glued in place. Thanks for watching 😃

[@HighFell]

Great presentation and nice to see some alternative ways of doing things. TT:120 has invigorated the model railway scene in UK and brought a lot of people back or into the hobby so great to see more people sharing experience. Reverse loop on HighFell is such a useful feature and works so well in TT:120. 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It certainly has shaken things up a bit and as excited as I am to see where it goes in the future, I actually think there's a lot already on the market with which to build a really satisfying layout. Likewise, the reverse loop on this layout is really the backbone of the whole design, otherwise the terminus station on the upper level just wouldn't work. Thanks for watching 😃

[@HighFell]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy absolutely agree, already there is more than enough to make a very satisfying model railway. We are so lucky with TT:120 in UK that we are starting with such fantastic models, it took other scales decades to get close.

[@LetsJustin]

Honestly, I didn't expect much when you announced a new project coming up in a different scale but I'm really taking a liking to TT:120 scale thanks to your videos! I'm really hyped for this series!😉

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Under promise and over deliver! 😉 Glad to hear you're excited for it. Even if it's a different scale to usual there's a lot of new stuff in this series that I've never tried before so should still be interesting for everyone. Thanks for watching 👍

[@mrtankalotrctankschannel]

Thanks for this! My little boy want a layout like his grandad! And I’m an Rc tank modeller, so not a clue!. Very clear and informative.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That's awesome to hear! If you're looking for some tips on where to get started I did a series a while back called Model Railway Basics: kzbin.info/aero/PLrxCs5t2FkmwrlGe3uA8naYkBug7g-u7N Hopefully that gives you some ideas. Best of luck and thanks for watching 😃

[@cazza1630]

Brilliant to watch, looking forward to seeing how it unfolds

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, there's a second episode out already with more on the way very soon! Thanks for watching 😃

[@nigelcole1936]

Wonderful news of the new project. Really excited to see how the layout develops. Some great ideas so far.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Nigel! It's definitely been a great project to work on so far and it has the potential to be a really fantastic layout. I'm actually jealous it's not technically mine 😅 Thanks for watching 🤩

[@IndyD89]

Excellent new project. Really looking forward to watching the development of this

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, it's definitely been fun to work on this one and hopefully it'll be interesting to others too regardless of whether they're working in TT:120 or not. Thanks for watching 🤩

[@wheelsinmotion196]

Brilliant looks like a cracking little layout! Love that HST very tempting 🤦‍♂️

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

The HSTs are really nice! Definitely works well in this small scale as you can have nice long sets without dominating the entire layout. Thanks for watching 😃

[@S69modelrailways]

Keep up the good work you'll get your old man grinning gleefully at a new train set once again

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I hope so! With the amount of work that's gone into just the design phase I'll be really annoyed if he isn't happy with it 😆 Thanks for watching 👍

[@YorkshireRailways]

Great video as always! Really looking forward to this series and hope your dad enjoys his new layout once it’s completed 😊👍 keep up the great work!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! There's still a lot to do but I think he's pretty happy with it already. Thanks for watching 😃

[@YorkshireRailways]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy well it’s a great start! I’m currently in the process of building a OO gauge layout in my shed and have being contemplating turning it from DC to DCC and have found your videos really useful in how to wire everything up 😊👍

[@A-Lovely-Bit-of-Kit]

Impressive plan and great progress on stage 1. Good to get something running early in the project.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, I'm really happy with the design of the layout. Yes definitely helps to get things running as soon as possible - keeps up the momentum to get it all finished I find. Thanks for watching 😃

[@HadrianJunction]

Fantastic video. I'm at the planning stages on my own layout and I've been trying to get my head around wiring, and this really helped me to understand it. The only thing still confusing me is that I'm not sure how the reverser loop is going to work, because I'm planning one myself, because surely you'd have a red wire leading into a black one, which I imagine would cause problems! But it seems like you'll be covering that in the next video, so I'm looking forward to that! Again, great work, and thank you!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Really glad to hear it helped you! Yeah there's a big section in the next episode that deals with the reverse loop and goes into detail on the wiring for it to get everything running smoothly. Thanks for watching 😃

[@jamesdennis2004]

I can already tell your dad does not know what he has coming to him with this layout. I will be watching this series indefinitely.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That's a good thing I hope 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

[@RailwayShorts91011]

love it looking forward to seeing it build and maybe coming to the exhibition

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thank you! It's definitely been a fun layout to work on so far - just wait until you see what's coming up in future episodes. Hopefully see you at the exhibition in September and thanks for watching 🤩

[@45degreesmodelling]

What a great video. I’m going to jump into TT and plan to build a layout, thanks for showing us your process!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, that's great to hear! Right now is a really good time to start in my opinion with several new models from Hornby due over the next few months. Thanks for watching 😃

[@955trainboy]

I loved your last series. Looking forward to following this one too.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@paulhunt9890]

Looks brilliant and you made it look all so simple… 😊

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul. There's nothing really too complicated to it as long as you take your time and plan ahead. I've had a bit of practice now but I like to think anyone could have a good stab at it if they put their mind to it. Thanks for watching 😃

[@mbharrington69]

Exciting project using a new scale. Looking to see next episode available to members. Can’t see it!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It's definitely been a fun project to work on so far! Episode 2 is still being worked on at the moment - it'll be uploaded for Members as soon as it's finished, which is usually when the first episode is made available for the general public. That way Members are always one step ahead. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 🤩

[@mbharrington69]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thank you for clearing that up.

[@ianhughes-zf1ll]

Great first video really looking forward to this TT120 series you make it look so easy. Got my track down and making it out ready for the cork to go down. I will be watching cheers

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, I've had a lot of practice but as you can see from the videos there's no special techniques or tricks. Just a bit of time and patience. Thanks for watching 😃

[@GlibVideo]

Amazing video! And really interesting track plan. Looking forward to see the rest 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thank you! Yeah I'm really happy with the track plan, took a while to get there but it has so much potential - I'm actually kinda jealous that this isn't my layout really 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video mate. Looking forward to seeing this project take shape. Very nice track plan too will definitely have a lot of running opportunities with it.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yeah it's got great potential. There's either a set routine you can follow with trains arriving/departing the main station and locos needing to be turned on the reverse loop - or you can just have two trains run round the main circuit while shunting in the self contained yard or station. Thanks for watching 😃

[@CymruRails]

Are you planning to paint the rails and sleepers like on Pitley? Might be time consuming for a layout of this size 😅 Really great first episode man, looking forward to watching the progress

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Definitely will be painting the rails, I don't think we'll bother picking out the individual chairs in this scale. The obvious advantage is that this layout will only really be seen from the front where Pitley needed to look good from every angle. Thanks for watching 😃

[@kenr86]

I liked seeing the DCC-EX installation - love your 3D printed case, too

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It's a handy little system that! Just for clarity though, I didn't make the 3D printed case, there's a link to where you can get that in the description. Thanks for watching 😃

[@S69modelrailways]

Oh dear here we go again, our old chap building a very satisfyingly detailed model railway

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I just can't help myself! 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

[@Tauraco00]

Hello over there, another layout🎉 Great🌟⭐👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Always nice to be starting a new layout, I'm glad others are excited for it too! Thanks for watching 😃

[@Tauraco00]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy always, been around since early days, enjoying, Regards Elizabeth Lines

[@anthknill]

Looking forward to this video. Great for TT 120 👏👏👏

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, hope you enjoyed the premiere! 😃

[@JockeB70]

Looking forward to this!!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad to hear it! Hope you enjoy the premiere 😃

[@notmuch_23]

SO much better than Lawrie Rose laying track! Of course, that's a bar so low Satan complains about stubbing his toe/catching his hoof on it.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Can't say I've seen many of his layout building videos to be honest so I wouldn't know. I thought I was pretty slapdash though 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

[@madmerlinsart]

Was hotly anticipating this series, and I've even become a channel member so I can keep up with the series. I've been interested in TT since its launch by Hornby over a year ago now. But I have been stuck in a rut about what layout to make. This episode has been helpful, I think I'm going to make a list of what I want to include on a layout and design an interesting enough layout for myself. I've always wanted to make a layout based on geography local to me, but that would require a bit more experience. I've found my 1996 Peco track plan book, and I'm kind of taken by some of their early loop layouts. That also includes a shunting yard and station plus plenty of countryside scenery. One bit that's always worrying me is the wiring, I'm terrible when it comes to electrical work 😢

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That's really great to hear and thank so much for supporting the channel by becoming a Member! It's definitely a good start to think about what you want to include on the layout and then design something around those key features. You may find you can't include everything, in which you you start to figure out which are the most important to you. I agree though that some of the early plans, especially those by CJ Freezer, tend to be really good as they were often designed for small spaces. If you're worried about wiring maybe check out my Wiring For Beginners video if you haven't already seen it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3rLn6htfNmMh6s Hopefully that gives you some pointers. Thanks for watching 🤩

[@madmerlinsart]

@ThatModelRailwayGuy I have a feeling I'll be watching a lot of your beginner videos. I'm sure they'll be very useful. One thing I've always wanted to include is a rail over water/road as well as a tunnel. Other key features would be to focus it around supporting a farming community/village.

[@barrypick5361]

Looking forward to this new project. All I can say is Lucky Dad! I wonder how long the work shown took in real time. I've already lifted one idea for my next phase. Great work !

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

This was about 2 days of work in total - 1 to do the junction point work and then 1 more to lay the rest of the track and wiring. Thanks for watching 😃

[@user-rs3jn1sg9z]

Someone should make a model railway layout where they are just constantly expanding it in a small-ish space, to the point where there will be multiple layers, track gauges, types of scenery, etc etc. and its essentialy one giant tower of model railways.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Definitely sounds like something different. I don't know if anyone has done that specifically but I have seen layouts where people have really played with the height of different layouts. Thanks for watching 😃

[@robertmarsh3588]

I'll be very interested to see this develop as I'm planning on building a twin track TT120 shortly. Its been a long time since I've built anything so watching this video is very helpful, though I'd love to see the construction of the board itself covered. I appreciate the space constraints, but 2ft 6 is very tight. Most of the Hornby stuff runs on 2nd radius curves or above, so you just have space for the equivalent of 2nd and 3rd radius curves, and the trains appear to be running fine. I'd love a 8ft long layout, I just can't find the space for that so mine will likely be 6ft absolute max, though I think I can have a 3ft or more width.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

This is essentially why we went for TT. Fitting a circuit of any kind into the depth we had available would have been almost impossible in 00 or would have limited us to only the smallest tank engines. The right hand side is a bit tight with the third line on the incline too but the inner line is only just under 2nd radius - the key is keeping the curves smooth and consistent rather than having kinks halfway through. Thanks for watching 😃

[@TobyOliverHenryFan]

1:49 I agree with your dad. Does silly fiddle yards are just pointless! Make nice detailed big yard for a big station then that! A much better sight to see engines shunting, I tell you!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It depends what you want from a layout. Personally I think a fiddle yard represents the "rest of the world" and is where the trains go after they leave the current area - just like a real railway. But I can also appreciate those who want their entire layout to be scenic. It was a nice challenge to design something that could be used as a fiddle yard without it being too obvious. Thanks for watching 😃

[@simplesimon2802]

The resurrection of table top (TT) as a viable model railway option! The track plan for this layout is innovative, although it is extra work multi-height is great

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

We definitely did a lot of work to get the track plan just right before starting the build. Some of the first versions were just awful with trying to cram this amount of stuff in. For me it all works because of the reverse loop which allows locos to essentially return to where they started from, whether that be the upper level station or the lower level yard. There's some great opportunities for both shunting or just letting trains run - best of both worlds really. Thanks for watching 😃

[@bobfuller]

I hope you noticed and repaired the dry-joint on the red wire at 16:15 in the video. Thumbs-up

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yep. Obviously with shots like this one where you're making marks and drilling holes you don't have the liberty of going back and doing a second take which is why that shot stayed in the edit. I think it actually fell off as I moved the track away from the cork which is why there's a crossfade before the drilling... movie magic! Thanks for watching 😃

[@lukejackson8741]

100% with your dad… fiddle yards are a waste of space =P lol sounds like the kind of layout I’d like

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I can definitely see the reason of that opinion too. For me the slip side is that I want my trains to feel like they go somewhere and a fiddle yard represents the rest of the world. I feel like with this design though we've got a really good compromise. Thanks for watching 😃

[@davidharle952]

Really enjoying this new series, always enjoyed those in the past but because it's TT 1210 I will find it more for me.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Amazing, really glad to hear that David. Thanks for watching 😃

[@russellbenton2987]

Excellent video . Glad to see you are attempting a proper layout rather than the simplified track mat type layout others use . Even the Hornby Mag layout is essentially a roundy roundy , but here we have inclines a shunting yard and a terminal station too. This to me is what TT120 is about , the ability to get a reasonably complex and interesting operational layout in a relatively small space . I have a large loft layout in OO , lots of locos , firmly DC . But I am interested in creating a TT layout in my old office, now I’ve retired . Blue Grey HSTs etc perhaps with sound controlled by HM7000 , so really interested in how you get on .

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! Yeah I thought the Hornby Magazine layout was a bit simple, especially given the huge space they used. While this layout isn't particularly realistic it does have a lot of opportunities for both running trains and shunting so it should provide plenty of fun over the years. Thanks for watching 😃

[@gregmacdonald927]

Great start. I put a link to your video on the Hornby TT forum. Hope you don’t mind. There’s lots of knowledgeable chaps there, and I’ve found it a very friendly forum for TT120.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Greg, that's great - no problem with me at all. In fact the more the merrier especially if it's reaching those who are already interested in TT:120. I hope it's being received well over there. Thanks for watching 😃

[@stevio7777]

thanks for that very inspirational video and being a newbie to model railways. I’m always learning, every little helps. It would’ve been good to know how you actually bent the track. Some use track settas which I’ve used and I’ve just recently fastened a load to MDF board all the way from radius one to 6 so that will no doubt help me in the future, also I use a very nifty Handy little gadget from West Hill wagon Works to fit The fish plates/rail joiners onto the track some use a bent piece of track which they’ve had leftover. It would’ve been good to see how you actually fitted yours. It looks as if your bus wire came from eBay as it looks very much like mine 😀 Keep up the good work 👌🚂

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Really glad you enjoyed it. For bending the track I used the very high tech method of... bending it around my stomach. Yeah not very exciting but gives a surprisingly smooth curve. The bus wire I used is linked in the description along with everything else shown in the video, should anyone want to use the same tools/materials. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@stevio7777]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy yeah I used my belly but wasn’t having much success with it lol 😂

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

@@stevio7777 Sounds like you need to eat more pies, that helped me get a smoother curve 😂

[@stevio7777]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy i bet mine is bigger than yours. I mustn’t have the knack 😁

[@rodneybates2135]

Putting part 2 behind a paywall…. You’d fit right in at Hornby magazine!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Members just get it early. It’ll be released shortly for everyone else, same as all my other series.

[@chrissouthgate4554]

Just a thought; if when laying track, you mark out one edge of your cork you could lay to the marking rather than having to guess the centreline. Which of course you are covering up as you go. If you go to an edge mark it can be checked right up until you ballast.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I was mostly using the centre line for the curves as here the cork is cut into two strips to allow it to bend. So essentially I lay one section of cork to the outside of the centre line and one section to the inside. For the curves it was essential to get the correct radius and I didn't want to take any risks by adapting it for the edge of the cork. For the straights I only marked the centre line at the end of the stretch, showing where the centre line needed to be at that point. So the cork was just laid in a straight line to match up with this marking at the end. It's all personal preference though and I just find I tend to get better/smoother results by using the centre line. Thanks for watching 😃

[@nickrails]

I do like the look of the correct gauge to scale ratio of TT120. Looking to get a small setup once they bring out the J50

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yeah I can see the J50 being very popular for a small inglenook style layout or similar! Thanks for watching 😃

[@NewModelRailway1]

Nice layout. Did you use AnyRail for the design?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! No Rail Modeller Express, though admittedly I only used it for doing the graphics as whilst actually designing I prefer to use pencil and paper. Thanks for watching 😃

[@PlatformONE]

Even in TT:120, I thought 3 ft would be better than 2½ ft wide.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

More space is always better but we were restricted by the space the layout was designed for. Thanks for watching 😃

[@caderthatguy]

I love the video TMRG. Also which type of phones can control the power box with DCC?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it. Both iOS and Android devices can control the layout. There's a few different apps to choose from which can all be connected. Thanks for watching 😃

[@Mafaldamou]

If this is going to be at an exhibition later this year, I just really hope it's in early November because I'm only the UK for a month at time at six month intervals

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

The exhibition is in September at The Spa Valley Railway - it's the same one I've done for a few years running now. Thanks for watching 😃

[@Mafaldamou]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Awww... I need to get time off school.

[@stephendehavilland5254]

Great video to start the series.. Peco Streamline in TT120 has a track spacing of 36mm and Hornby set track has a rack spacing of 43mm. Could you let us know what way guage dimensions you are using on the parallel track - 36 / 43 or your own derived spacing? I am begining to build a TT120 layout and this series is really timely.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, all the track on the layout is PECO's TT track so I'm using their 36mm spacing. Because of all those points at the front of the layout it made sense to continue with that spacing. The only place it changes slightly is the right hand curves to stop trains hitting each other on the overhang - but even then it's tiny adjustments. Thanks for watching 😃

[@barrychandler1455]

OMG! I was having issues with points close to the supporting timbers underneath, moving them a bit here, a bit there, so the motors would be clear. Your tube/piano wire method takes me back to where I wanted to be. If that was the only thing I got from this that would be enough. But to add an upper level. That's it - my original 8'x4' plan is totally out the window. Luckily the baseboard is still a blank, undrilled canvas. I've currently only got Hornby points but are the Peco unifrog ones ok without the Hornby reverse loop module for a reverse loop? I already know the Peco flexi track is brilliant.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Ah glad the video has given you some ideas! The Unifrog points are basically dead frog out of the box unless you wire them up but unlike Insulfrog points all of the exits are live all the time. I'll be showing how I've wired them up and how to install a reverse loop in the next episode so that should answer some of your questions. Thanks for watching 😃

[@adam_Fordham1988]

Brilliant video, I really like the track plan you designed. Everything is there, trains can go round but you can aslo shunt things around the goods yard. Really impressive 😀

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! I really like the track plan too - it went through quite a few iterations but the key is that reverse loop so that trains can run round the layout in any direction in order to access all the different sections. Thanks for watching 😃

[@MultiEinsteinium]

Hey, nice to see a new project on the go! One question though, isn't the point leading into your Inglenook facing the wrong way? Or are you and your dad not actually going for a "proper" nook?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, trains on the inner circuit will run anti-clockwise to match UK railway practice, so the points position will allow a goods train to run into the headshunt and have the loco at the correct end to start shunting wagons into the sidings. If we had it the other way round, the loco would be stuck behind the wagons in on of the sidings and a second loco would be needed to shunt release it. Hope that makes sense and thanks for watching 😃

[@alanandammakingnewmemories2950]

wow looks fantastic buddy

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It only gets better from here too! Lots more to come as the series continues. Thanks for watching 🤩

[@jamesmitchell854]

Looks so good

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! Still a long way to go on this one. Thanks for watching 😃

[@jamesmitchell854]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy np mate

[@aleopardstail]

probably too late but a tip I found with PECO track is where possible solder wires to the underside of metal rail joiners, solder takes to them much more securely I have found. also means they can be made easily away from the layout with a short section of rail secured upside down into a block. went with gluing all track down here, the Chadwick copydex method, for tighter curves the ability to easier lift and adjust proved very useful. also better for sound insulation, nails far faster though. really loving this sort of "first steps" stuff

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

The issue with soldering to the joiners is that you're relying on the continuity passing through to the rail. It'll most likely be fine initially but 5-10 years down the line as dirt gathers in the join it could become an issue. Soldering directly to the rail avoids this. Have to admit I'm not a fan of gluing down the track unless I really have to. I often find that you need to adjust it long after the glue is set. For example the tight curves here all seemed fine but once I got power to the track and ran some trains I needed to make some small but crucial adjustments. Sound insulation isn't really an issue either since once the ballast goes on that passes the vibrations through to the board anyway. But they're all valid techniques, whatever your personal preference is the best way to do it. Thanks for watching 😃

[@aleopardstail]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy you've got me thinking on a replacement for my not overly reliable N gauge layout now...

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That's interesting to hear that you're considering it. From my own experiences, N Gauge can run really well but it takes a lot more effort, where TT seems to be more forgiving in this regard. Certainly shows there's a place for TT alongside N and 00.

[@tagsdm]

Nice work, That Model Railway Guy. Sorry I've missed a couple, health issues as always. I'm hoping the locos especially the shunters can operate well in this tiny scale. The P2 looked pretty good, though. Running 'round should be great.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

No worries, hope all is well? Yes the early indications are that the locos run very well indeed. Certainly the Class 08 shunter runs better than most of the N Gauge locos I have so that's a good sign. Thanks for watching 😃

[@greenpaint2005]

Genuine question (from a newbie who is looking at building a tt layout...Why the need of a dcc controller instead of a bus wired Hornby transformer...to then run on HM7000? ...also, are all the points medium radius peco? Thanks

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, two reasons - firstly it gives me options so that we're not tied to using the HM7000 system for every loco. The Class 08 for example needs a 6 Pin decoder which currently isn't available for HM7000. It also means we're not locked into using one single device to control the layout too. Second and more importantly, because of the reverse loop. We need to be able to use a DCC Autoreverser to swap the polarity in that section and the module we're using was designed for DCC. It might work on just a Hornby transformer powered layout but I don't really want to take that risk. Yes all the points shown in this episode were PECO's medium radius turnouts but we'll be using their short turnouts later on in the build. Thanks for watching 😃

[@Mafaldamou]

6:50. Another reason why these points are scary it's because they're way too close to the edge. What happens when a track is too close? I think everyone already knows that...

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

We didn't have a choice, that was the compromise needed to get three lines into the depth available. Thanks for watching 😃

[@criminal__8615]

im interested to know how the trains will pull up your gradiant and what percent it will will be

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

There will be a whole episode on this when we get to that section. Thanks for watching 😃

[@WISDOMDUCK69]

Hope your dad loves it

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I hope so too 😅

[@MrLotus8]

Nicely done, I really like that second level! Any particular reason you’re not using the HM 7000 Bluetooth? You’re a inspiration, thanks 🙏

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Most of the locos are actually fitted with HM7000 decoders but the problem is the reverse loop in the plan. You need to have a reverse loop module to flip the polarity of the rails and that can only be done on DCC or analog currently. The DCC-EX system is fairly inexpensive and gives us the best of both worlds, so we can operate using the HM7000 app or different app for locos not fitted with those decoders. Hope that makes sense and thanks for watching 😃

[@AD4M1873]

Very cool! Will the station platforms be long enough to hold the HST with 3 or more coaches?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That exact question may be the topic of an upcoming video later in the series 😉 Thanks for watching 👍

[@AD4M1873]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy the layout looks very good. I recently sold an n gauge layout that I bought pre-built as I want to build my own layout and am toying with the idea of tt:120. My favourite loco is the Class 43 HST so whatever scale I choose, I’d like a platform to fit 4 coaches on plus the 2 power cars. I really like that the station will be on an upper level so that it is separate from the main loops

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

@@AD4M1873 Oh cool, you'll need a bit of length for the stations then. I think Hornby list all the measurements on their website so shouldn't be too hard to figure out. We actually very nearly had the Station on the lower level as part of the mainline and the shunting yard up top but visually it just didn't work. This way we can use the Terminus as a pseudo fiddle yard too.

[@AD4M1873]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I’ll check out the measurements then and see how long it will be in total. If I was to build the same style as what you’re building, I think I’d make mine 3ft wide to give the extra bit of space to allow for slightly larger radius

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I'd definitely recommend that. We were constrained by the amount of space we had for the layout's eventual home. Length isn't an issue but depth is. It's actually one of the reasons we went for TT as my Dad didn't want an end to end shunting style layout... with TT would could just about fit in the 2 circuits he wanted plus the incline line too - it's tight but just about works!

[@shironspiller9058]

Have you tested that when doing the ballasting to the track that PVA glue will stick onto the carpet tape - just a thought !

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

This may be part of an upcoming video... there's a lot of groundwork in this first episodes that pays off later down the line 😉 Thanks for watching 👍

[@matt_whitehead]

What thickness cork did you use, 1mm or 2mm?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, yeah it's 2mm cork so that it's flush with the tubing for the remote operated points. Thanks for watching and thanks for becoming a channel member too! 🤩

[@jasonlee3247]

Probably should’ve made it 3ft wide and eased the curves somewhat. Don’t get the double sided tape for the points??? Those connectors are probably ok if the bus and dropper wires are the same gauge, but not recommended.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

We were restricted by the space available otherwise we would have made the curves larger. It's one of the reasons we went for TT as a circuit wouldn't have been possible in 00. The double sided tape is just an easy way to lay the points without damaging them by hammering nails or gumming them up with glue - but it has more uses too which will become evident in future episodes. The splice connectors have worked fine on all my layouts including my large 00 gauge exhibition layout. You need to get the right type to match the wire you're using but otherwise creates a really nice strong connection for those who prefer not to solder everything on. Thanks for watching 😃

[@279kumar]

Hi I am not a railroad modeller as it is very costly hobby back here in India.However I like watching your layout making videos. One question I have is whether a banking of rails needed over the curves as in the case of real railways? Thanks.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, glad you enjoyed the video. No you don't NEED banking on the track but some people do like to include it for more realism if they're modelling a high speed line. Thanks for watching 😃

[@279kumar]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy thanks. Is there a possibility that you may try out a hill railway layout in near future , something like the Nilgiri mountain railway in India? All with the mountains tunnels ,bridges and curves with a good amount of elevations.

[@johnhmccauley]

Is there a reason you did not go with HM7000 route using Bluetooth control and the Hornby App?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

We are actually using the HM7000 to control most of the locos (the Class 08 is the only exception currently). We needed to use DCC in some form though because of the reversing loop as the module I'll be using to control that section only works with DCC. It also gives us the option of not being able to use other decoders should we want to in the future. Thanks for watching 😃

[@johnhmccauley]

I faced the same issue, also went with DCC for the same reasons. Although controlling via Bluetooth and configuring the DCC parameters is great via the app. My O8 also has a HM7000 with sound, thanks to TWW.

[@WISDOMDUCK69]

Question after this layout is done are you going to do n gauge

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Honestly, I have no idea. My focus is on this layout at the moment. Whether I do an N Gauge layout will depend on whether I have space for one and if there's a good enough reason to make it that isn't just rehashing old videos.

[@WISDOMDUCK69]

Well I'd you do I suggest a pizza layout

[@matt_whitehead]

How am I able to watch episode 2, can’t find it anywhere, please help 🚂

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi Matt, Episode 2 is still being worked on at the moment. As soon as it’s done it’ll be uploaded for Members which is usually when the first episode goes live for everyone else so you’ll always be one ahead. Hopefully shouldn’t be too much longer now. Thanks for watching 🤩

[@matt_whitehead]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy that’s great, I shall look forward to watch it 🚂

[@East_Mallingford_Railway]

How long is you elevated section?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Around 10-11ft if you count right from the start of the incline. I covered this properly in the latest episode. Thanks for watching 👍

[@thetrainguy4797]

Teaton quite the name!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

We wanted something that had a slight nod to TT in the name... plus he also drinks a lot of tea 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

[@loispadgett6306]

What a great design. This is going to be a fun series to watch and learn from. GOD BLESS from America 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, I'm really happy with the design and it's great so many people are excited about the new layout and new series. Thanks for watching 😃

[@vikingofengland]

What features do you want? Dad: Yes

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I should have kept my mouth shut really! 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

[@damianinCanadaTT-OO]

You’re not using HM7000? Any particular reason for that?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Actually I am... sort of 😅 All the locos (aside from the Class 08) have HM7000 decoders and are usually controlled via the app. The reason for the DCC-EX system though is partly for flexibility in the future and also because of the reversing loop on the plan as the electronics for this function using DCC. It's essentially about keeping our options open though. Hope that makes sense and thanks for watching 🤩

[@BlackCountryLad]

TMS great speedy service but make sure you don’t add an item not in stock! They just hold on to it with contacting you.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

The website does show you when things aren't in stock though. Obviously if they can't complete your whole order, they can't send it to you. Thanks for watching 😃

[@BlackCountryLad]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy No they could contact you instead of leaving you high and dry.

[@tbrooke3016]

The new tt stuff is really expensive but I do love this scale! I just hope hornby doesn't keep trying to shut other companies out by announcing the same loco classes as other manufacturers who have already announced stuff

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

In comparison to their 00 gauge models though, are they really that expensive? Even in comparison to N Gauge, it's easy to see why the prices are what they are. Again there seems to be this made up narrative that Hornby want TT for themselves when that isn't really the case. I've heard from two different manufacturers that Hornby have asked whether they would consider entering the TT market... that doesn't sound like Hornby wanting to shut out other brands to me. Thanks for watching 👍

[@tbrooke3016]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Their pricing does fall in line with other locos similar in quality but I mean to say there isn't a "budget" option (like the hornby railroad range) or a large second hand market in the way that there is in OO. But, I am excited to see what will be available in the future. I think the squeezing of others out of the market comes from how they treated Heljan by choosing to make the same 3 models as them right off the bat. They can do what they want but if I was trying to establish a new scale I'd do my absolute best not to do that to anyone. Either way I love the advantages of TT so I really hope I'm wrong! It does give those of us with 3D printers an opportunity to fill the gaps in the market for a few years till the ranges fill out properly :)

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hornby are able to do the Railroad range because they have a large number of older toolings that are decades old which can be rerun at lower prices. That obviously doesn't exist in TT and it's why no other manufacturers have a budget range in 00. Even so, I think TT is aiming to fill the gap between Railroad and the super detailed models for people who want a realistic looking railway but at more realistic prices. And let's be real, Heljan could have absolutely stuck with TT if they wanted to and could have easily beaten Hornby to the market. But as soon as Hornby showed they were serious about TT and actually had their first models ready to go, Heljan ran for the hills. They most likely hadn't even started work on their TT models. I don't always agree with Hornby but I'm not a fan of the negativity they seem to get just because they're the most popular manufacturer.

[@tbrooke3016]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I absolutely agree on the price front. That's my point really I'm excited to see a day when they do have this back catalogue and they can be open to younger modellers. I'm a student and £136.99 for an 08 shunter is very unrealistic for me. I am very glad it exists for others and I'm excited to see what comes of it in the longer term when the second hand market begins to fill out. So far as the Heljan situation I absolutely get where you're coming from and it makes sense. My only point with it is that if I wanted as many people in the space as possible I wouldn't put any roadblocks in the way of other people. Especially others who announced before me. I think you can ascribe it to a break down in coms between these companies. I'm not saying it's necessarily malicious but I do think they get in their own way sometimes. Which with a huge company is gonna be a challenge I suppose. But like I said they can do what they want. I just don't understand why they're so attached to all 3 of those models so strongly when there are hundreds of others to pick from many of which they'll have cad drawings to base their work off from their OO gauge variants. At any rate I'm glad you're showing some love for TT in this series I really do want to see it grow!

[@jasonlee3247]

You state all the track for this project was purchased from TMC, but one of the track boxes has an Amazon driver delivery aid sticker on it 🤔

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I can't say I know anything about what stickers certain delivery companies use so I don't know why that's there. I don't think you can buy PECOs TT track on Amazon in any case. Thanks for watching 😃

[@FoxBoi69]

is roco the only producer of austrian models?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I don't know, personally I'm not that familiar with Roco outside of the Z21 system and I know very little about European model railways in general. Thanks for watching 😃

[@Sigil_Firebrand]

Fascinating to see an actual professional build a layout, compared to how I built mine!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I wouldn't say I'm a professional by any means... just an idiot with a camera who likes trains 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

[@RobA500]

A nice looking project I’ll look forward to following. I just wish TT came out a few years earlier I may have been more tempted by it but have now invested far too much in OO to change now.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! Yeah I think there may be a few people in your boat. TT isn't really a great option for those who are already locked into a scale but for those just starting out it's certainly a contender in my opinion. Thanks for watching 😃

[@trevorbell3571]

This is such an exciting project, shame the only planned exhibition is so far away from me geographically.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you're excited for the series! Never say never, there may be more shows in the future but given that the layout technically isn't mine it's not really up to me - also depends on whether any exhibition managers want to book it. But whatever happens I'll definitely continue to feature on the channel whenever I can. Thanks for watching 😃

[@SwordlordRoy]

It still amuses (and kind of frustrates) me that TT was created by an American to be the American answer to the German N scale...but TT died out over here in favor of N, while TT has come to dominate European markets.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It's definitely popular in Europe but I'm not sure how dominant it is, I think H0 is still doing pretty well on the continent too. Thanks for watching 😃

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

This is a revamp of old very old TT scale of the 60s and model railways in general is a dieing hobby computer games are taking over the youth market

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Both of those statements are incorrect. The old Triang TT3 runs on the same track gauge as TT:120 but is a different scale - 1:101 instead of 1:120. Model railways certainly aren't dying out. In fact we've seen more manufacturers enter the market in the last few years, more exhibitions taking place... the fact that the online community on KZbin/Instagram/etc is mostly populated by younger enthusiasts shows there's still interest. There isn't a competition between video games and model railways. People have different interests - model railways may not be as widely popular as they were in the 40s/50s but for those who are interested there's a lot enjoy in the hobby. Thanks for watching 👍

[@robertmarsh3588]

Not at all. 1960s Triang was 3mm /ft which was overscale to the track. I'm not sure where you get the data point that computer games have taken over. I don't think that's the case, especially post Covid.

[@paulsharpe3794]

Hi there I'll watch the rest of the videos but TT is not for me I'm OO

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That's a shame since, even if the scale doesn't match your interests, the series has lots of useful information that relates to all model railways - not just TT. If it were me I'd at least want to watch the first episode to see what the plan is as we've actually got a really interesting design for this layout. But at the same time I'm not going to force anyone to watch it.

[@paulsharpe3794]

@ThatModelRailwayGuy hi there I will be watching the billd as I may see something I can do. Keep up the good work

[@stuhumphreys]

Brilliant video as always, do you have an email address to send a slightly larger question to please?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi Stu, there's an email listed on the info page for the channel but it's more for business so personal questions tend to get a bit lost there. I'm happy to field longer questions on here though and in the Q&A videos I do occasionally too. Thanks for watching 😃

[@stuhumphreys]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy thanks very much for the reply, will drop you a quick email (wondering if we could help with a little sponsorship)

[@stuhumphreys]

Email sent through :) thanks again