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A Look Into The History Of Model Trains - As Seen By BBC

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  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
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Posted by John Busby on Saturday, June 18, 2016 2:35 AM

Hi all

In this instant TT means table top, it certainly made Hornby sit up and take notice.

The Trix Twin system was rather interesting in that you could run two trains on it under independant control later three if you had an overhead electric train and the wires.

Que Adams Family theme music I would imagine there where a few Adams Family train moments.

It Trix Twin was very nominaly OO scale 4mm to the foot.

What I find the most interesting is they could and did light up there manual semaphore signals ( I have a couple of them) something which to days manufacturers don't seem to be able to do, and a lot of model railroaders would want.

regards John

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 18, 2016 1:22 AM

IMHO, BBC makes the strangest yet entertaining documentaries there are!

James Mays, Mr. Top Gear and Mr. Toy Stories, once made a documentary on building an OO scale train along the route of the closed railway line from Barnstaple to Bideford, some 9.5 miles of 16.5mm of Hornby flex track put on the cycle path they made out of the right of way after Dr. Beeching axed the route.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, June 18, 2016 12:21 AM

Hey Ulrich!

I had seen the series before, but it was very enjoyable to see it again.

Thanks!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, June 17, 2016 11:56 PM

Sir Madog
A few years ago, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) ran a series on the history of model railways.

"The Beeb" could do a documentary on watching paint dry and they would make it entertaining!

Thanks for posting these interesting and enjoyable views.

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 17, 2016 11:47 PM

tstage
Is the "Trix Twin" brand where the gauge "TT" came from?

I am not 100% sure, but to my knowledge "TT" stands for "Table Top". Hardly anyone knows that TT gauge was "invented" in the US, where it never made it to the fame and glory it received in Eastern Europe, mainly the former GDR.

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
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Posted by BRAKIE on Friday, June 17, 2016 6:50 PM

Very interesting.Thanks for posting.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

Moderator
  • Member since
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  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,248 posts
Posted by tstage on Friday, June 17, 2016 6:34 PM

That was quite enjoyable, Ulrich!  Thanks for posting it! Big Smile

Is the "Trix Twin" brand where the gauge "TT" came from?

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
A Look Into The History Of Model Trains - As Seen By BBC
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 17, 2016 12:51 PM

A few years ago, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) ran a series on the history of model railways.

Worthwhile watching and quite entertaining!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

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