Any T Gauge out there?

[Chris333]

In T-scale the cars are like a 1/4"x 1/4" piece of strip wood. They are about the size of a pencil with a motor in it.

[Mark W]

Figured I'd share a quick video.  Nowhere close to a smooth quiet Kato, but some pretty dang nice slow speed nonetheless! (Would probably be even better if I didn't have a car off the rails) There are 3 or 4 reduction gears in the chassis, but no flywheel.  This is the new Gen 3 chassis.

I imagine switching/operations would be quite frustrating, but my own motivation is long flowing mainline runs.  I plan to use a powered chassis ever 3rd or 4th car once I get some stock built up. 

[Dave V]

Does that track system include turnouts?  I don't know that I've seen a T gauge turnout yet.

[Mark W]

Indeed they do exist.  Ugly looking things, but whatever works at that scale.   

[u18b]

I dabble.

One day I hope to do some significant things in T.  But I have too many irons in the fire in N before I can even consider it.

[u18b]

Indeed they do exist.  Ugly looking things, but whatever works at that scale.   

I don't have any turnouts yet... but that pics shows the killer problem in T.

Look at that HUGE spot where there is only plastic shows how electrically tenuous they are.

IIRC, David Smith experimented with kitbashed turnouts which were more electrically reliable.

[Mark W]

Tried my hand at scratchbuilding a T Gauge hopper. 
I can't believe it actually came out half way decent!

[nkalanaga]

I don't think I could do that.  My eyes wouldn't be able to see it, even with a magnifier. 

Some of the early N scale didn't look much better - and it was mass produced.

[nscaler711]

I'll get into T gauge as soon as I See a P42 and some amfleets, horizons, or Superliners made!
Though they do look interesting... And cheaper than Z scale lol...

[Mark W]

A guy did the Pioneer Zephyr on Shapeways:  http://www.shapeways.com/product/WVZG4PUAF/pioneer-zephyr?optionId=59033983





He also has a pre-amtrak California Zephyr ready to print, but no finished photos.

Based on his Pioneer Zephyr results, I'm very excited about my own pre-amtrak train that is about half way through design phase.  I'd definitely like to have/design the Amtrak California Zephyr myself, but that would be a long way down the track at this point. 

Today I'll be experimenting with brass etching for T-gauge hand rails and car sides.

[Mark W]

What is this?  A train for ANTS!?!

More styrene scratch building.  Lots of work left on the SD70ACe, but again they're turning out pretty sweet!  Had to make the body quite a bit wider than it should be to fit over the motor chassis, but I'm happy with it since, ya know, it's barely larger than a penny!


Here's a comparison with N, Z, and T ACe's

[Mark W]

I finally got around to experimenting with brass etching!  I can't believe I haven't done this sooner!!





Now if only something could be done about those GIGANTIC couplers. 

[nkalanaga]

That looks like a shrunken Rapido coupler.  Somehow appropriate for a new scale.

With brass etchings, it might be practical to use hook and loop couplers, like British HO/OO, and the early 000.  Ugly, and they don't look like American couplers, but they work, and would be be considerably thinner.  If you don't use sharp curves, they wouldn't have to be nearly as wide as the larger scales, which would also help the looks.

If you like the idea, but not the exact design, there were several hook-style couplers popular in HO until the NMRA's X2F and Kadee's knuckles came along.  They might also be practical in a smaller scale.

[nscaler711]

@Mark W maybe its just me... But the photos in your last post didn't work for me...
If I remember ill hop on the PC and try... But it could be a mobile thing...

[Smike]

Holly smokes... Mark that's amazing work.  Now are you putting grab on's on that ACE ?