TT scale

Hi Joern,

Nice to see you over here at MRH.

Nice thread you started here with those great pictures of what can be done in TT scale, "The Orphan Scale". It's inspiring me to get going on my TT scale "Locomotive Erection Shop" diorama.

Many we'll get some converts from "N" scale that are looking to go a bit bigger because of the ago old failing eye sight syndrome.

Bernd

TT scale

Hi Bernd,

Nice to meet you here!

I've just got a hint from a friend from Deviantart that there is some TT folks on MRH. While having read the MRH eZine on a regular basis for quite a while, I never really looked into the blogs and discussion forums. Now, I'm very surprised about all the TT scale discussions.

Joern

Excellent work!

You have put a great amount of time and thought in this micro layout. The scenery is wonderful. I have enjoyed your photos.

Well done!

Roger

Very Clever ...

... and nicely executed layout.  Would never guess that it was TT scale from the photos ... looks much larger with the amount of detail present.  Glad to see you've started a thread here, seems you have quite a bit to offer.  Thanks for sharing and looking forward to more.  

module pictures.

Beautiful work!

Could we see some pictures of the modules set up to get an idea of how the scenery and backdrop interact?

I was unable to access your flicker pages.

module pictures

Rick,

I have not yet an overview photo of the entire layout. However, if you click through the pictures in the Flickr album, you can see every part of the layout and the backdrop from different angles. Here is a picture of the backdrop in full length, so you get a better idea of how everything is linked together:

Joern

TT size -v- HO size

Dave,

Here's a couple of pictures showing the relative size of HOn3 to TT. Two HOn3 steamers with an TT scale switcher in between.

HO scale switchers and TT switcher

And a resin cast TT scale GP-38 compared to an HO scale GP-39

I'm working on designing a drive for the resin shell. A project that's sitting in the back burner right now do to other commitments.

Bernd

TT source on Shapeways...

I don't know if the TT modelers are familiar with Ken's designs for TT on Shapeways.  Ken Rickman a member of our forums has several designs posted.

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/dkrickman

I hope Ken doesn't mind.

Den

Inspiring

Thank you for sharing these blog entries and photo's. Gave me some nice idea's again for coming winter because I still have a nice stock of US HO trains laying around.

Always a pleasure to see your

Always a pleasure to see your work, Joern.

Old friends

@Mark

Thanks! Nice to meet you here.

Joern

Carl Arendt's scrapbook #62

Referring to the article on small space layouts in MRH 9-2014, I should mention that this layout was featured in Carl Arendt's scrapbook #62

Joern

aerial view

Finally, here is an aerial view showing the entire layout.

Joern

Lionel TT

I was at the LHS yesterday and noticed a display of Lionel TT scale locos.  I don't think they were powered but didn't look that bad.  It didn't look like new stock, the packages looked a little worn.  I was just surprised to see it.   I had never seen TT scale before. Too bad it hasn't caught on, it looks like a good size that could still be easily modified but still have room for lots of scenery.

Paul

Lionel TT

Paul,

A few years ago, Lionel made a series of non-powered TT locos as pure collector items. German manufacturer Lok-n-Roll offered motorization sets for these locos. I have a GP9 powered by such a set. Here is a photo on my layout:

The detailing cannot compete with 'real' models, it's just Lionel style. However, for an exotic scale like TT you take what you can get.

Joern

"and noticed a display of

Yeah, these were made years ago as display models. There's a few diesels and steamers in the line.  They are die cast and un-powered but some folks have motorized them. Here's a Pennsy Geep version on a test plan for a TT scale layout.....DaveB 

Some More

Here's a few more TT scale items for your viewing pleasure.

Two Lionel GP9's and an F

An SW8 between two HOn3 steamers.

SW8 - TT 0-4-0 (?) - HO 0-4-0 Switcher

The SW8 by herself.

A TT scale GP38-2 and an HO scale GP39-2

At this time TT scale is still somewhat a scratchbuilders delight. The big thing missing is North American style TT scale flex track. If that ever comes about it will give N scale a run for it's money in my opinion.

Bernd

the perfect scale

Back when I was a kid in the 60s I wanted to start in TT scale but couldn't find enough support so I went to N scale. Years later in the 90s I reluctantly adopted HO and HOn3 because of the added details. Through the intervening years I've been continually checking the progress of TT with disappointment. You see, it's always been my favorite scale and in my opinion it's the perfect scale. I just wish there was more available. I'd switch in a heartbeat.

Herb

I agree, Herb

I guess the marketplace just wasn't ready for TT in the United States when it debuted. Oddly, when N scale emerged not all that later, it began to grow almost exponentially in popularity.

Perhaps if Model Railroader in the 1950s had built a project layout with available RTR TT models (which admittedly was a limited selection), then TT would have made great inroads here.

"Oddly, when N scale emerged

   I think the big difference was N scale had Micro trains line of nicely detailed RTR trains while TT was just older style kits ?  The new MTB and Gold Coast cars are a step in the right direction. Still need Atlas or Micro Engineering to start making track and one of the big boys to start producing more cars. If TT had the manufacturer investment  that On30 got from Bachman it would be mainstream by now. TT and S are the two most physically appealing sizes for small and larger trains........DaveB

Why hasn't somebody done a TT scale article in MRH?

Perhaps more exposure would get it done.  How about an article in MRH?  Maybe you can get the few TT manufacturers to help you with the article?  Just an idea.

I once had the opportunity, back in the 80s, to get a complete brass TT scale train from a neighbor.  It had some freight cars with it and a caboose from my neighbor.  He had been a hobby shop owner in NY.  He had moved to Northern VA and his basement was full of brass inventory.  What I do remember of the TT equipment was that it was very plain.  Not much in the ways of detail.  It turned me off.  I was already involved in N-Trak and my N scale trains were highly more detailed.  What would I do with such a plain engine in another scale?  It was tempting, but I decided against it.

Den

  "How about an article in

Most TT scale manufacturers are making european stuff so are not much help for US modelers. Czech company MTB did make a nice run of US switchers for SazMoldel of Canada. Unfortunately Saz shut down after selling them out. That's been a problem for TT since the days of HP and Kemtron, companies don't seem to last long in US TT market. Gold Coast had a great line of boxcars but went belly up. There's a company called TTwest selling some nice hoppers and tank cars now so I hope they can buck the trend. TT is a great size to work with so if you have the skills to scratch built and adapt products to your needs I'd highly recommend giving it a try. You certainly won't be tempted to over spend on new products as there are very few. I'm not sure how active it is now but there is a site called TTnut that might be worth checking out if you are interested in learning more. There are a few TT scale kits and built cars on ebay now so that's also a place to get started......DaveB

Scale

Given how big HO equipment has become, with autoracks, containers and SD90s and so on, TT could be pretty attractive for a home layout. 1:100 is a lot easier to convert in your head than 1:87.

"TT could be pretty

"TT could be pretty attractive for a home layout. 1:100 is a lot easier to convert in your head than 1:87."

   Actually TT is 120:1 or 1/10 of an inch = 1 foot.  Roughly half way between HOand N scales. ...DaveB