2111

Nice looking loco there, Bernd.

How does it run?

The test of a switcher is how well it works at slow speed.  Looks like you'll need some couplers first, though.

Well actually

I'm going to need some TT track to see how it runs first.

Nice comparison of HO to TT scale. That's a MBT produced engine bought from Sazmodel in Canada.

If I ever change scale I think I'd go with TT. Would love to get hold of the GP38-2 that's been produced by the TT Scale Society. I have an idea for a drive system for that engine that I think would be the cat's whiskers.

Bernd

 P.S. I see the guys that now of the engine had to comment. (LOL)

Those who know...

Well, nobody else was going to, apparently, and I didn't want it to get lost on the dreaded second page.  It's a good looking engine, and considering that just a year ago I thought TT was long since dead and buried, I'm pretty impressed.

I've never been a fan of the N&W Script herald, though.  Hope you get that stripped off soon...

going to need some TT track to see how it runs first.

My Saz model Pennsy SW9 runs great, much like a Kato. The couplers are kinda hard to mount on the loco, I ended up drilling new holes for them, couldn't figure out how the supplied adaptors were supposed to be installed :> ) . Over all it's a great new addition to the TT scale roster and has given me the incentive to build a small TT layout....DaveB 

Just for Ken

The engine was sent to the paint shop and the boys did a quick number with the sand blaster (denatured alcohol & rag) on the lettering just for Ken.

I wanted an undec anyway. So sometime in the future the shell will get a bath in denatured alcohol to get the paint of.

Now back to working on some power trucks.

Bernd

A video

I made a video of the  TT scale SW1200 running on my 8 foot long test track. I'm using a transistor throttle with straight DC power, no DCC. The engine is run at 2 volts, the slowest I could get it to run on a filtered DC transistor throttle, 6 volts and 12 volts. I then ran it together with an HO Kato NW-2 switcher just to see how they ran together. All I can say is that I can't consist them.

Bernd

All I can say is that I can't consist them. surprise

since the Kato is larger they might be running at about the same scale speed?   IIRC Sazmodel said the gear ratio in the TT model is higher than a Kato( higher ratio=lower speed gearing) Running on an MRC tech2 my switcher will crawl along at scale walking speed, very nice for switching.....DaveB

Ah - Dave

That one flew over your head. Who would consist an HO model and a TT scale model? That sentence was purely a tongue in check statement. I always catch a few.

Bernd

Reminds me

Reminds me of that great Chico Marx line (from Duck Soup, I believe), "Why would he want a Ford when he's got a horse?"

-George

Impressive

I like the 3-rail track.  Maybe you need to get into HOn42

I do find it interesting that the engines seem to run about the same scale speed for a given voltage.  I guess that indicates that they were both designed to have a similar top speed.  Runs quite well, as well.

Another scale

Well Ken, actually it would be HOn40.89.

I made a quick track gauge by milling a piece of brass bar .040" (~1mm) deep on each side leaving a portion in the middle .740 wide. Since it was all straight track it was an easy job.

I'm starting to think of building a small module to take to shows for show and tell.

Ok, I know there's some TT guys hanging out here. Question : What size rail would be used for mainline rail, 80, 70, 55? Once I know that I'll be able to make myself a 3 point track gauge. Turnouts shouldn't be a problem.

Bernd

What size rail would be used for mainline rail, 80, 70, 55?

Code 55 would look the best but some TT models have wheel flanges that hit code 55 rail joiners so code 70 is a more flexible choice if you want to be able to run everything. After building a small test track and turnout I'm going with code 70 since it looks good enough and I can spike code the 70 with a Kadee spiker. Code 55 would require soldering all the rails to pc board ties and using alternate rail joining techniques to clear larger flanges but it would work fine if you don't mind the extra trouble..DaveB

Code 70

it is then. Much easier to work with than the spaghetti code 55 rail. Although I'm sure code 55 would look good on industrial sidings.

Thanks Dave.

Bernd 

TT scale bug bite

Well the TT scale bug has bitten me hard. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I like TT scale so much all of a sudden. This morning it hit me. It's very close to HOn3 in physical size. Ever since I discovered the East Broad Top RR I've loved 3 foot narrow gauge. It had what I liked, coal mining. Anyway here's a picture of the SW1200 compared to two HOn3 steamers.

 Sorry Ken about that NW showing up on the other side of the engine. When I'd sent the boys down to the shop on Sunday to quickly sand balst that darn logo off the engine, I hadn't realized they had been into the moonshine Saturday night. Well, they did the one side, fell asleep and never got to do the second side. Guess I'll have to dock their pay for that.

Bernd

It's very close to HOn3 in physical size.

but easier to place on the track as the trucks are not tucked so far under the car :> ) ....DaveB

TT

I remember thinking years ago that TT scale might be nice as it would allow more operation in the space of HO and not be as small as N scale which looked too small for me to work with and at the time was no where near capable of the fine details and equipment we see today.

As I got older I often thought S scale had a lot going for it because of the larger size being easier to work with and it was still possible to get scenically nice layouts in the space of a really large HO.

I still model in HO as for me it is the best compromise, between size, equipment availability, and detail. But at every Train Show I look at the S scale layouts and equipment, and if I saw TT scale I would likely do the same.

Nice model.

Rob in Texas

Getting into TT scale

First I have to say is I was surprised that this blog got activated again. How that happened I have no idea.

For me TT scale is a challenge in designing and building. I have a 2300 square foot basement so I don't have a space problem.

There is very little North American style products available in 1:120. For example there is no manufacturer that makes NA style track. Having a company like Micro Engineering make flex track would not be profitable for them. There just are not enough modelers in TT scale. They have been asked. Molds take big bucks to make. I've been looking for alternatives and think I have an idea. That's the part of model railroading that I enjoy.

Bernd

"As I got older I often

"As I got older I often thought S scale had a lot going for it because of the larger size being easier to work with and it was still possible to get scenically nice layouts in the space of a really large HO.I still model in HO as for me it is the best compromise, between size, equipment availability, and detail. But at every Train Show I look at the S scale layouts and equipment, and if I saw TT scale I would likely do the same"

     I started modeling in HO scale when I was a kid then went to O scale when Intermountain started making O stuff, then decided O was too big and switched to S for a while before getting discouraged by the selection of product and the grouchy ness of some S guys. So I went to N for a small spare bedroom  layout and back to HO for my new CCT layout but over the years I've collected TT stuff when ever I see something I like and some day I hope to build a TT scale layout , it will definitely be my primary scale if I ever move to a smaller house..DaveB

"There is very little North

"There is very little North American style products available in 1:120. For example there is no manufacturer that makes NA style track. Having a company like Micro Engineering make flex track would not be profitable for them. There just are not enough modelers in TT scale. They have been asked. Molds take big bucks to make. I've been looking for alternatives and think I have an idea. That's the part of model railroading that I enjoy.'

Hi Bernd, I did some experimentation and  settled on code 70 track spiked with a kadee spiker and hand built turnouts with rails soldered to pc board ties.   It would be great if someone made some TT scale flextrack and marketed it to US modelers, Tillig, etc. is pretty hard to find or buy here. .DaveB

Neat Little Locomotive

It could convince me to downsize.  Nah!  (although 1:120 is an easier scale proportion than 1:87.1!)

For what it is worth, someone identified the locomotive model incorrectly.  The single stack along with the battery box door on the engineer's side of the cab suggest this is an SW900, not an SW1200.

Rail size

Hi Dave,

On the TTnut forum the guys have been tossing around ideas for a Free-Mo TT scale. Code70 has been picked as the standard for rail size. And from what I understand Code70 scales out to be about 1" taller than standard size rail. So a bit over size but the idea behind that was to able to run European equipment.

I'm got a module picked out that I want to build and will go with Code55 since I'm also going to be using the size on my limestone quarry line.

Do they still make the Kadee Spiker? or the staples for it?

Bernd

A pity really

Incorrect loco ID

Mmmmmm.......somebody better tell the dealer then. http://sazmodel.myshopify.com/collections/locomotives

I looked in the Diesels Spotters Guide. It's not an SW900, they have a 6 louvered battery box. The model has 5 louvers on the battery box. Although the single stack suggests an SW900 it could be an SW9. So if I add a second stack then it'll be correct. Perhaps I should do that. Thanks for providing that bit of insight.

Bernd