Main Line Thurnby About Thurnby

About Thurnby

Main Line Thurnby is basically a large oval comprising of three main parallel running lines, a loop and a large 'yard', which is accessed from the outer main. (Please refer to the track diagram).

All lines are powered separately as well as the yard, so if there is a fault we can normally isolate it to a specific area of operation. Experience has taught me that those visitors who have taken the trouble to come to my 'open days' should be given the oportunity to run their engines and stock as a total priority.

Power problems, whatever the source is simply not an option, especially as my CME (electrical) Neil Robinson is not necessarily at every meeting. One dead track is bad enough. All three, plus the yard is a disaster!

My four areas of operation are controlled therefore by Train Engineer on a 'remote' walk about basis using different frequencies. Access from one line to the other is by interlocking the turnouts, which of course switches the power from the original to the changed direction.

My inner track, which has the loop, is perhaps worth a separate mention as I have purposely left this without a connection to the rest of the system, as it can accomodate an independent MTS system by simply moving a switch to a digital controller. The middle and outer roads are three railed to accomodate both 45mm and 64mm running.