TT track

[Maletrain]

OK, I know this is neither N nor HO, but it is between them, so it isn't "Larger" either.  Mods can move this if they think there is a better subforum.

Anyway, it appears that my club will be in the market for some TT gauge track to make a small layout.  We already have plenty of turnouts, but no other track.  The turnouts are code 70 rail (actually 0.073") with the typical non-American-prototype looking black ties.  We just need something that matches reasonably well that we can afford. 

So, not being familiar with what is available in TT scale, nor where best to buy it, I am asking for input from the collective wisdom here on TRW.

What I have been able to find on eBay that matches seems to be Tillig.  There is also Peco TT track that is code 55, so probably useable but less convenient. 

All enlightenments welcome.

[peteski]

As I see it, anything larger than N, goes into Large Scale section.  I suspect TT wasn't even considered when the different sections of the forum ware named. 

While I did model TT scale in the '70s, back ini Poland, I havent' really touched it since moving to N.  From what I see out there, yes, Tillig seems to be the main supplier of TT track.  I use Reynaulds for many of my European N scale purchases, and I have also bought some Tillig track for displaying my models.  Check out https://reynaulds.com/tt-gauge.aspx , or go right to Tillig https://reynaulds.com/tillig.aspx

[nkalanaga]

Unlike Peteski, I've always assumed that anything smaller than HO went in the "N" section.  After all, the other is "HO and Larger", so sounds like it shouldn't include stuff smaller than HO.

As for track, code 70 rail is readily available.  Do any of your members have 3D printing skills, or friends with them?  If so, maybe print your own tie strips, to match the turnouts.

[Maletrain]

The only folks in the club with 3D printers are off in HO land, and quite booked-up.  The 2 guys thinking about doing a TT scale demo are also involved in various N scale layouts and projects, so we are looking at the feasibility of doing this mini-layout with off-the-shelf stuff, rather than making a career out of it.  The club could just sell the TT stuff that was donated.  But, we are only some straight track and a constructed platform away from making an interesting display.

I am going to measure the turnout rails on Wednesday.  Last week, I only measured the rails on the one short piece of straight track, and that eyeballs the same as the turnouts.  I got pulled away before actually measuring the turnouts, and I am not sure I can eyeball 0.008" difference.  Anyway, I can probably use code 80 rail with code 70 turnouts by just shimming the few turnouts up 0.008" and mangling a few connectors, if that is what we have to work with.

[peteski]

Unlike Peteski, I've always assumed that anything smaller than HO went in the "N" section.  After all, the other is "HO and Larger", so sounds like it shouldn't include stuff smaller than HO.

As for track, code 70 rail is readily available.  Do any of your members have 3D printing skills, or friends with them?  If so, maybe print your own tie strips, to match the turnouts.

By the same token, the actual name of this forum is specifically "N and Z scale" (not "smaller than H0").     If we go by that naming convention, TT is orphaned, as it doesn't belong here, or in the "H0 and larger" sections of the forum.    As I mentioned, TT is pretty much non existent in USA, so not many modelers event give it any thoughts.  As I mentioned, when the section names were chosen, nobody even considered TT scale.  Plus, even if the larger scales forum was named "TT or larger", that would be awkward, since TT is mostly ignored, while H0 is the most popular scale. 

Then of course there is the T-scale (and related scales/gauges), but we won't get into that.     Anyway, it will likely be a very long time for another  TT related thread will show up on TRW, so I guess this is really not much of an issue.

I'm not sure why you guys are looking into 3-D printed track components when that track is readily available in Europe and from European dealers in the States. I posted a link in my previous post.  I would just buy the available product (like we do in other scales).

[jagged ben]

I always felt like TT would likely be my preferred scale if it were popular with all the north American product availability we have in N, let alone HO.  Oh well.

[Maletrain]

From what I am seeing in the donated stuff, TT is a nice scale to work with.  It is bigger and heavier than N, so can be made to house decoders and speakers more easily, and without as large loss in weight and thus pulling power.  The N scale couplers don't look oversized, and details are a little easier to manage.

However, it does require more space for curves that have nice looking radii for the scale, so it does take  more space to build an empire. 

So, I can see why it got neglected for N scale when considered as an alternative to HO.

[peteski]

From what I am seeing in the donated stuff, TT is a nice scale to work with.  It is bigger and heavier than N, so can be made to house decoders and speakers more easily, and without as large loss in weight and thus pulling power.  The N scale couplers don't look oversized, and details are a little easier to manage.

However, it does require more space for curves that have nice looking radii for the scale, so it does take  more space to build an empire. 

So, I can see why it got neglected for N scale when considered as an alternative to HO.

I was able to "import" most of my TT scale rolling stock and some buildings.  Here  is a comparison of my N scale Diesel a similar  one in TT scale.

[nkalanaga]

TT's biggest problem was that, like S, it isn't enough different from the "popular" scales at the time.  It's taken Z a long time to really get going for the same reason, it isn't enough smaller than N.  I suspect it became common in the Soviet bloc to keep their modelers from trying to buy Western HO and N!

HO and N are both about half the size of the most popular scale when they came out.  That's an obvious difference, and makes layouts practical for those who didn't feel they had space before.  S, TT, and Z, on the other hand, are very close to common narrow gauge in the next larger scale.

Peteski:  Put the Rapido coupler on the TT loco and it would look better than in N, and probably be both cheaper and more reliable than the TT coupler.

[peteski]

Peteski:  Put the Rapido coupler on the TT loco and it would look better than in N, and probably be both cheaper and more reliable than the TT coupler.

True, but the conversion would be quite involved as the thin metal TT coupler shank snaps directly into a slot molded in the front of the model.  Besides, I just have them (East German models by Zeuke "Berliner Bahnen) as display pieces for nostalgic reasons.  I'm quite happy in N scale.

[Angus Shops]

I suggest you contact Intercity Trains and Hobbies in Langley BC - one of the staff at the store is an avid TT scale modeller who would be able to provide all the advice you could need. I’ve done some resin cast TT equipment for him.

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  I understand, and didn't mean for YOU to make the change.  That probably would be a major chore!  I was thinking of a manufacturing change.

[screeh]

I don't know what kind of equipment your club has, so this suggestion may be well out there... could you regauge the equipment to run on N scale track? TT seems to be popular in narrow gauge modelling, be it mixing HO equipment with TT track or TT equipment on N scale track (e.g. NZ120)

[peteski]

I don't know what kind of equipment your club has, so this suggestion may be well out there... could you regauge the equipment to run on N scale track? TT seems to be popular in narrow gauge modelling, be it mixing HO equipment with TT track or TT equipment on N scale track (e.g. NZ120)

But then it would be a total fantasy equipment since the models would not have prototype trains for them.  The size matters. 
TT gauge track is not rare - it is widely available, and priced in line with other gauge track. Why not just run TT scale (1:120) models on TT gauge (12mm) track and be done?

[Maletrain]

The club already has multiple functioning layouts in multiple scales, so the goal for the club with this donated TT stuff would only be to have a small demonstration of another scale for visitors to see during open house events.  We do not want to try to make a large TT layout for op sessions or whatever use by club members. Whatever we don't use will be sold off during open house events or at train shows.

So, the issue is only to decide if we want to do it, and minimizing the work involved is something that pushes the needle toward "yes" and away from "H___ No!"  In that context, it is far easier (if need be) to fit code 80 TT track to code 70 TT switches than to regauge locos.   And, anyway, realize that a TT scale GP-9 regauged to N scale track is STILL TT scale, and would look out of scale on any otherwise N scale layout.  So, we are definitely talking about a TT scale layout - or the white elephant table at shows.