Basic overview

Although several  narrow gauge lines in Russia were built to 1067mm (3ft6in), most were 750mm (a little less than 2ft6in). This became the standard in the 1890's when common carrier feeder lines were initially constructed. A wide range of European and Russian steam locos were used up until the revolution in 1917. After that time there was a greater degree of standardisation using local products.

While most other countries saw a slow decline of narrow gauge in the 20th century, the 1950's saw a great increase in industrial lines in the Soviet Union. This was the time of increased industrialisation and land use, and the rise of diesel power. Logging, peat and quarrying lines were constructed to extract raw materials.

Just a couple of build numbers to put Russian narrow gauge in perspective

TU2 (1955-58): 280+
TU4 (1961-1974): 3150+
TU6 series (1964-1988): 3900+
TU7 series (1971-1996+): 3300+

That's a lot of little locos! Narrow gauge diesels reigned in Russia.

TU7-2053

A diesel mechanical straight four cylinder powered locomotive built by Kambarka Engineering Works in 1982.

The TU7 (Russian ТУ7) was built from 1971 to 1988 with over 2750 made. The TU7A was an updated version from 1986 with examples built as late as 2014 and over 250 built. An export version was also built in a range of gauges for (predominantly) communist states.
The TGM40 was a successful transplant of the loco to broad gauge with almost 1000 built.

This body was scratchbuilt using styrene and wire and Archer resin decals on a Microtrains F7 chassis with Mircotrains N scale couplers.

I had to shorten the chassis as far as possible and ground a couple of areas to wire it for DCC. A Digitrax DZ125 decoder is installed. The distance between bogies and the wheelbase on the chassis are both longer than they should be. I modified the bogies a little, but they are far from what they should look like.

The body is a very tight fit on the chassis!

Interesting topic.

I have always seen pictures of Russian 5’ broad gauge. If you search narrow gauge on YouTube a ton of Eastern European  countries are still running narrow gauge forest railroads. 

I find the systems for transporting standard gauge cars over the narrow gauge railroad to be interesting too. 

Very interesting

Yes, there are a lot of interesting Youtube videos on Eastern European and Russian narrow gauge railways. Using the Russian "Узкоколейная железная дорога" will find a lot more! Or find out what narrow gauge railway is in the language of your choice to find more.

The system of loading standard wagons onto narrow gauge bogies is very interesting. There is a Czech company that makes the bogies in photoetch and I have seen a video of the models operating. Impressive modelling that is. I haven't seen that used in Russia though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollbock  introduces the system, known as rollbock. One video on showing loading in action on a HOe Fremo module is

TU2-187

A diesel electric V12 powered locomotive built by Kaluga Engineering Plant in 1958.

The TU2 (Russian ТУ2) was built from 1956-1959 and 276 were made. This was the first production narrow gauge diesel produced in Russia, developed from the unsuccessful TU1 prototype. It was used widely on the Children's Railways, which helped train kids in rail operations. An early pre-occupation training system. This loco is still going strong and remains in service on a number of lines with engines continually being rebuilt.

This one is a 3D printed shell from Shapeways which has had some added panel line detail scribed in and extra roof detail, as well as air tanks and steps. Driving compartment interiors were also made with styrene and wire. Spacers were added so that the body fitted in the right location. Unlike the TU7, this body is not on firmly.

It also runs on a Microtrains F7 chassis but the wheelbase and distance between bogies is spot on! The coupler is fitted to the bogie on the TU2 so I done the same thing on this model. The sideframes were sanded down and built up using styrene and wire. The bogies should be longer, with a sand box at both ends, but I would have had to remove some of the chassis metal to do so. The models don't pull much as it is so I didn't want to remove any more weight.

The chassis was ground in a couple of places to wire a Digitrax DZ125 decoder in. This was my first attempt to add LED lighting and it is a mess of wires inside! I was going to use a plug to make the shell removable but there just wasn't enough room. Next time I will work at making the wiring a lot cleaner.

Locos in waiting

I have two more Shapeways prints that I will get to one day.

One is another TU7, so I will see show that compares to my scratchbuilt one. I will try and find a different chassis than the Microtrains F7 for this one. Not high on my list of priorities though.

The last is an AM1 (Russian АМ-1!) railcar. Almost 300 of these lovely little railcars were built from 1962-1972 at the Demikhovo Engineering Plant and are based on the PV40 passenger car. I have a Tomytec N scale mechanism for it, but will need to convert it to 6.5mm. It will be a while before I start on that one though. We shall see how it works out...

  That is about all I have on the rails and in the shed at the moment. I will update as things progress.

Russian narrow gauge

There's something about narrow gauge. I'm on a facebook group about Russian logging railroads. It's not very active. I used to belong to a club that was HO/HOn3 in Arizona, USA. I preferred the HOn3 part.

Static TU7 loco

It has been a couple of years since I have posted on this blog. The second TU7 that I have (print from Shapeways shown above) is now in process of become a static model. The idea is to have it raised on loco jacks in my narrow gauge engine shed with the bogies removed.

I just need to finish the interior of the cab and the end handrails and it will be ready for paint. Details and bogies drawn and 3D printed.

TU7

To bad you couldn't motorize the engine. Looks good. TT? Right?

Bernd

TT scale

Hi Bernd,

Yes this is TT scale, but narrow gauge running on Z scale tracks (6.5mm). TTe as it is known in Europe (TTn30 in the US?).

I am gearing up to convert an N scale SW9/1200 to the broad gauge version of the TU7, the TGM40. It is slightly longer, with larger bogies and the SW mechanism is a perfect fit. After making that I will have most of the drawings etc to make/print another narrow gauge TU7, but will still need a suitable mechanism.

Do you still have your TT scale stuff, or have you gotten rid of it all?

TT rail equipment

I still have it. It's all stored away. I don't think I'll ever get back into TT scale. At some time in the future I'll get it all together to see what I have and put it up for sale. It's getting later in life for me and trying to model in two scales is a bit much. Seems like I never got anything done in either scales, HO and TT. 

My biggest disappointment with the scale was the reaction on TTnut forum. Seems like nobody was interested in doing any kind of scratchbuilding or kitbashing or even trying new ideas such as I presented in making North American looking track. A majority was more interested in purchasing than building. The other reason I left TTnut forum was a 180° political view Alex and I had. We just couldn't agree on issues at that time. I do stop by once in a while to see what's discussed as a guest. I see there is not much activity.

If you are interested in continuing the conversation may I suggest you contact me at my e-mail address I have on this forum.

Regards,

Bernd

Detailed and painted

I have finished detailing and laying on the base coats of paint on the static TU7. A lot of the detail work is actually inside the cab and will rarely ever be seen, but I like finding out more about the prototype and trying to recreate that in my models.

I have gone for a slightly different scheme with white stripes, along with the orange and grey of the operating one. Now to finish painting the loco shed floor and pits so I can place the jacks in position. I also need to draw up some decals for the loco number, and make the loco much MUCH dirtier.