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I was thinking I might as well make my own thread about my TNOS adventures instead of spamming the TNOS thread. I'll post here all my adventures down the TNOS rabbit hole. While I explore the TNOS world, I'll have some questions which I post here. If anyone has more knowledge about TNOS or other related subjects, I'd be very interested to know! Don't hesitate to post answers, tips, hints etc.! If anyone has specific questions about TNOS that they want me to try out for them, just post a reply and i'll get back to you if I am able to do it. My collection: I have european, japanese, chinese and taiwanese trains, from all common and sometimes rare brands. All analogue, all N gauge. My track: I use KATO Unitrack and would like to keep using it. I bought some Finetrack for testing purposes. I exclusively use the 5567 Tomix Sensors because they are compatible with KATO unitrack. Reason why I bought TNOS: I bought TNOS because I have a very diverse collection (brands, age of trains, interior lighting y/n etc.), and I refuse to solder all my trains since the vast majority is not DCC ready. Besides for my collection it would be too expensive. Another alternative could be the TOYTEC product (which is hella expensive) or some kind of block model with digital/analogue cross compatibility, but I first prefer to try this out. Because if it works, it would be the cheapest alternative (I did some comparison calculations beforehand for my specific layout plans). Used resources: Trial and error, google translate with the manual, and the english manual translation/guide from trainweb, several japanese youtube video's in that link. I am splitting this thread up in different sections INDEX Outstanding questions/General findings/How to update TNOS Test layout/Initial Setup configurations Train settings KATO Unitrack compatibility TCL TNOS Command Language (for configuring layout operations and shunting) DISCLAIMER: ALL instructions, information etc. is to be used at your own risk! I am not an expert in TNOS, and I am not a native japanese speaker. I do not take any responsibility if your gear or trains get damaged due to improper use or misconfiguration that might lead from using any of the information in these posts!

I have created this topic so people can post layout ideas that we wish Tomix would add to its TNOS layout plans. The layouts they have provided are generally very geometric and logical, and the operating sequences for them seem to be just a Bach-like exercise in variations. Instead, I would like to see layout plans and operating sequences that are based more on the way real railways look and operate. Remember that the simplistic geometric shapes that Tomix TNOS layouts are drawn in do not have to be the real shape of the layout. They are illustrated that way for simplicity. Using the basic, common-sense aspects of the study of topology, you can stretch, twist and reshape layouts and their elements, as long as you do not change the basic flow and sequence of the block sections. TNOS layouts work best, though, if the block lengths (actually the distances between successive sensors) are made as equal as possible. Here's one layout idea to start things off. It's a point-to-point single track line with 3 sets of passing sidings along it. Four trains should be able to operate fairly smoothly on it, meeting and passing at the passing sidings. I would like to see an operating sequence like that for this layout, with continuous repetition. This layout arrangement would work for a great many prototypes, like the Enoden line or any single-track small railway or tram/trolley line. It requires 3 ND100 Hubs and it could use either one or two sensors in the end block sections of single track. Got any other ideas or wishes for Tomix TNOS layouts? Share them here! Who knows, maybe the people at Tomix will see them and respond to customer desires. Rich K.