Just found your channel Jim and have to say that your methodical way of fixing this trix railway is just what it needs it's amazing that these models work at all after nearly 70 years but if your are careful they will work. I have seen quite a lot of trix twin over the years and the ones that you have there look cosmetically very good and have either been well looked after or hardly ever used, one of the main requirement for these AC models is that the rails need to be as clean as possible. Look forward to seeing the final episode of the Trix fix.
Hi Barry, thank you very much for your kind words. I only came across Trix Twin by accident, but I love vintage model rail. Once I get a couple of projects out of the way, I will get Part III started, where I will attempt to repair the loco with the broken side-frame. These older locos were developed with, what can only be described as 'crude' technology, but worked surprisingly well. I am not a fan of very modern, super detailed, locos. What is your modelling interest? Keep in touch. Cheers, Jim L
Hi shades360, thanks for looking in. Yes, this was new (?) technology and I had to 'feel' my way around. I also seem to like the older, more vintage, model rail stuff and I'm planning a 'Part 3' soon. Hope you will follow the saga! Take care. Cheers, Jim L
Thanks Martin, it's always satisfying to see these locos run. Hopefully I can do something with the broken side frame and get the 4-4-0 running too. Watch this space! All the best for 2022, Jim L
Congratulations on getting this working, Jim. Not the easiest thing, with such old (and slightly odd) technology, in rather poor condition. It does appear that when you made this video, you weren't quite familiar with the idea of TTR. None of the three connections on the controller is intended for accessories - they're all intended to go to the track, one to each of the three rails. The whole idea of TTR, Trix Twin Railways, was that you could have two locos on your layout, one facing one way, and one facing the other, so they contacted different outside rails, and then you could control one loco or the other other, using one switch on the controller for one loco, and the other switch on the controller for the other loco. Doesn't really make much difference to you, as it seems that you don't really have enough track to make a layout where it would be useful to run two locos (even when you get both working). But that was the intention of the system (hence 'Twin'). It's very interesting to see how the reversing mechanism worked. Quite tricky trying to make a working reverser function with AC. Eventually, around 1956, Trix gave up on AC, and joined everyone else in using DC, with which reversing is simple.
Sorry about not replying before. Just found your comment from a new feature in UA-cam. Thanks for your great comments. Yes, the mechanism is quite complex but was probably cutting edge in its day! Cheers, Jim L
Thanks Dave. Yes, the part broke because of my mishandling during dismantling (I didn't realise it was Mazac!) However, I hope to get it fixed in Part III. Take care, cheers, Jim L
Yes Mazak rot. What a shame. Hopefully you can scratch build a new bracket? Or maybe glue back with some epoxy resin and a thin reinforcing plate? I recently bought a Penn-line GG1 loco from the sixties which had mazak rot, but it was too far gone and couldn't be saved. Good luck!!
Hi Fern, thanks for looking in. Mazak rot swells your chassis, weakens your arms and disintegrates your supports. It's horrible, and the tablets don't help! Anyway, I think I've sourced a whitemetal cast replacement which will let me get the loco going. This will give me a bit of time to experiment with epoxy (like your comment about the 'reinforcing plate'. I'll keep that in mind) in case I come across another loco. I had a similar experience with an Atlas n-gauge K4. Take care, Cheers, Jim L
You're getting there Jim, well done indeed. Is that a "flickering stove" effect in the brake van? Pretty basic stuff, in some ways but pretty advanced for it's time. It took a long time to get similar effects on two-rail. Happy New Year to you.👍😁
Hi, nice to hear from you again. Happy New Year to you, too and thanks for your comments! The 3-rail concept, where you can run two trains on the same track, but in opposite directions sounds like an interesting prospect. (I will be trying that next time when I get the second loco going!) I'm not sure about the light in the brake van as I've not opened it yet, but it certainly looks like interior lighting! (It's supposed to be for the rear light, so, maybe a 'shield has come adrift. I'll check it out next time. Until then, take care, cheers, Jim L
Hi Alistair, thanks for your kind comment. No, I don't have a layout, I simply love finding locos (of any gauge) which need a bit of TLC and try to get them back 'on the rails'. This set will be returned to Mac's Model Railroading when I'm finished. Cheers, Jim L
@@SoRTs6233 thats good jim macs models informed yesterday of your you tube videos if i come across any locos that need repair i know where to come i do have some triang stuff that needs looked at if your interested thanks Ali
Just found your channel Jim and have to say that your methodical way of fixing this trix railway is just what it needs it's amazing that these models work at all after nearly 70 years but if your are careful they will work. I have seen quite a lot of trix twin over the years and the ones that you have there look cosmetically very good and have either been well looked after or hardly ever used, one of the main requirement for these AC models is that the rails need to be as clean as possible. Look forward to seeing the final episode of the Trix fix.
Hi Barry, thank you very much for your kind words. I only came across Trix Twin by accident, but I love vintage model rail. Once I get a couple of projects out of the way, I will get Part III started, where I will attempt to repair the loco with the broken side-frame. These older locos were developed with, what can only be described as 'crude' technology, but worked surprisingly well. I am not a fan of very modern, super detailed, locos. What is your modelling interest? Keep in touch. Cheers, Jim L
Good entertainment watching someone not familiar with them work them out . How much fun is that rusty plated track and the reversing mechanism
Hi shades360, thanks for looking in. Yes, this was new (?) technology and I had to 'feel' my way around. I also seem to like the older, more vintage, model rail stuff and I'm planning a 'Part 3' soon. Hope you will follow the saga! Take care. Cheers, Jim L
We had Trix set about 70 years ago, so this is all familiar. The solenoid at the back operates the direction cycle:-
Forward/off/reverse/off,
Very interesting video jim great to see the set running again.
Alltwen best Martin
Thanks Martin, it's always satisfying to see these locos run. Hopefully I can do something with the broken side frame and get the 4-4-0 running too. Watch this space! All the best for 2022, Jim L
Congratulations on getting this working, Jim. Not the easiest thing, with such old (and slightly odd) technology, in rather poor condition. It does appear that when you made this video, you weren't quite familiar with the idea of TTR. None of the three connections on the controller is intended for accessories - they're all intended to go to the track, one to each of the three rails. The whole idea of TTR, Trix Twin Railways, was that you could have two locos on your layout, one facing one way, and one facing the other, so they contacted different outside rails, and then you could control one loco or the other other, using one switch on the controller for one loco, and the other switch on the controller for the other loco. Doesn't really make much difference to you, as it seems that you don't really have enough track to make a layout where it would be useful to run two locos (even when you get both working). But that was the intention of the system (hence 'Twin'). It's very interesting to see how the reversing mechanism worked. Quite tricky trying to make a working reverser function with AC. Eventually, around 1956, Trix gave up on AC, and joined everyone else in using DC, with which reversing is simple.
Sorry about not replying before. Just found your comment from a new feature in UA-cam.
Thanks for your great comments. Yes, the mechanism is quite complex but was probably cutting edge in its day!
Cheers, Jim L
I really enjoyed this video. Glad you got it running but unfortunate that one piece broke. Thanks for sharing. Dave
Thanks Dave. Yes, the part broke because of my mishandling during dismantling (I didn't realise it was Mazac!) However, I hope to get it fixed in Part III. Take care, cheers, Jim L
Yes Mazak rot. What a shame. Hopefully you can scratch build a new bracket? Or maybe glue back with some epoxy resin and a thin reinforcing plate? I recently bought a Penn-line GG1 loco from the sixties which had mazak rot, but it was too far gone and couldn't be saved. Good luck!!
Hi Fern, thanks for looking in. Mazak rot swells your chassis, weakens your arms and disintegrates your supports. It's horrible, and the tablets don't help! Anyway, I think I've sourced a whitemetal cast replacement which will let me get the loco going. This will give me a bit of time to experiment with epoxy (like your comment about the 'reinforcing plate'. I'll keep that in mind) in case I come across another loco. I had a similar experience with an Atlas n-gauge K4. Take care, Cheers, Jim L
Is the brake van all plastic? It looks like the mold that grows on old scalextric cars that is removed with water and dish soap.
Apologies for delay in responding. The brake van seems to be a Mazak type alloy very difficult to clean! Thanks for watching
You're getting there Jim, well done indeed. Is that a "flickering stove" effect in the brake van? Pretty basic stuff, in some ways but pretty advanced for it's time. It took a long time to get similar effects on two-rail. Happy New Year to you.👍😁
Hi, nice to hear from you again. Happy New Year to you, too and thanks for your comments! The 3-rail concept, where you can run two trains on the same track, but in opposite directions sounds like an interesting prospect. (I will be trying that next time when I get the second loco going!) I'm not sure about the light in the brake van as I've not opened it yet, but it certainly looks like interior lighting! (It's supposed to be for the rear light, so, maybe a 'shield has come adrift. I'll check it out next time. Until then, take care, cheers, Jim L
great vid jim do you have a trix layout ?
Hi Alistair, thanks for your kind comment. No, I don't have a layout, I simply love finding locos (of any gauge) which need a bit of TLC and try to get them back 'on the rails'. This set will be returned to Mac's Model Railroading when I'm finished. Cheers, Jim L
@@SoRTs6233 thats good jim macs models informed yesterday of your you tube videos if i come across any locos that need repair i know where to come i do have some triang stuff that needs looked at if your interested
thanks
Ali
@@alistairroy6568 Hi Ali, I'd be glad to help in any way I can. Drop them off at the shop, I'll get them from there. Cheers, Jim L