TINGS 2026 #2

Today, I’ll just show the NCI layout. This was all controlled by the iTrain software, leaving most of us just to entertain visitors. We did have some good conversations with visitors, who were very interested in the format of the layout. Here’s the nerve centre of things. It was on safety mode, leaving two blocks between trains to avoid crashes….. except for the time when the system didn’t do what it was meant to! The Germans also contributed this neat fiddle yard, including train cassettes in the form of a transparent tube. Certainly an easy way to get your trains to an exhibition. Let’s work around the rest of the layout, module by module. Most of my modules were at one end, with end loops, the tunnel mini-joker, road bridge and the now venerable clubhouse. The baton is then passed to Nick, with his lovely DB loco shed and museum. Der Alder and the Rocket made regular trips up and down the yard. Then Nick’s funicular module, with the little mountain railway happily working for two…