TT scale?

ctxm Mar 13, 2008

  1. ctxm

    ctxm TrainBoard Member

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    How many N scalers would switch to TT scale if someone like MTL or Atlas made a nice line of TT scale equipment? (BTW. How many N scalers know what TT scale is??) 120 :1 instead of 160:1, a nice handling size about halfway between N and HO scales....dave
     
  2. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've always thought it was the perfect scale size-wise, too bad it never really happened. 1" model = 10 scale feet, so a 40' boxcar is 4". Easy scale for scratch-building.
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I probably would not. However, that's not saying anything against TT scale. It's a great size. If N scale had not come along, perhaps it would have been a mover. And maybe some day in the not too distant future?

    There is no TT Forum here at present. However, if you search the Inspection Pit, I have seen a few topics.

    Boxcab E50
     
  4. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Gee, I thought that TT was 1:128 scale. That one foot equaled 3/32". That it was half of S scale (1:64). 1:120 scale just doesn't sound correct to me.
     
  5. Ed M

    Ed M Passed away May 2012 In Memoriam

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    Nope, 1:120 is right.

    See:
    http://www.ttscale.com/faq.html

    TT scale is a model railroad scale whose size falls in between HO and N scale. It's actual scale measurement is 1/120, or 0.10 inch = one foot, or one inch = ten feet. It's track gauge was set at 0.471 inch or 15/32. 12mm is currently the accepted gauge, which is 0.472 inch.
     
  6. sootower

    sootower Permanently dispatched

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    TT scale easier than N scale for scratchbuilding?

    How does this single scale conversion(1"=10feet) qualify TT scale as an "easy" scale
    for scratchbuilding? If either scale is superior to the other for scratchbuilding,
    I contend that N scale is the victor:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 14, 2008
  7. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    N scale is pretty easy when you realize that 1mm = 6 inches, plus a little bit. I do all my measurements, when I am scratchbuilding, on the metric scale.
     
  8. Willyboy

    Willyboy TrainBoard Supporter

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    I didn't know what TT scale was but then again there are lots of things I don't know. That is why I joined this wonderful forum, to become enlighten! ;)
     
  9. Lownen

    Lownen TrainBoard Member

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    I bought a 1980s TT scale set, and I have a new Tillig set coming soon. I've been buying what I can in TT scale lately. I'm also noticing a small resurgence in interest in TT scale.

    As for campp's assertion "too bad it never really happened", TT was created by a U.S. automotive engineer in 1946. It did really happen. But his company, H.P. Products, emphasized kits instead of Ready to Run. I believe that is why N scale pushed it out in the late 60s or early 70s. Today TT in America is a cottage industry, still mostly kits.

    Ironically, TT took hold in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe is where it remains popular. There are a couple sources on the web for European TT scale items. Most notable is Euro Train Hobby. That is where I have my Tillig freight starter set on order from. Tillig starter sets include their "Bedding Track" which bears a striking resemblance to Kato's Unitrack; their joiners look suspiciously like Kato's Unijoiners. I was incredibly frustrated to learn that Tillig actually made American FP-7s in TT a while back, but I guess sales weren't brisk. They apparently have no plans for further American rolling stock in TT.

    Euro Train Hobby doesn't carry Mehano. Forget that low end stuff Mehano OEM'd for Lifelike and others; Mehano makes quality products for the European market. Check out this Bombardier Blue Tiger loco (Mehano)... it's the next TT item I want to buy. You can get it with DC or DCC and LokSound (they call it DC with sound on the site, but the American distributor tells me that it is DCC).

    I'd love a TT forum on here. There are about 100 people on the Yahoo TT_IMS group. The other TT group there seems to have become inactive.

    I'd also like to suggest to our Admins that the reverse the order of the scale forums so that Z is on top. Z and N are the busiest forums... but the slowest; G, O, and S hold the highest positions and we have to scroll more for the forums we use.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 14, 2008
  10. GNFA310

    GNFA310 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I know what TT scale is - it was my first scale-of-choice years ago; but the USA market never caught on. And N scale was being heavily promoted about the same time. The rest, as they say, "is history."

    But "Yes, I would like to see TT scale 'resurrected' and would purchase it so long as the quality was at least equal that of n-scale."

    (Although at this point in my modeling I would NOT give up my n-scale!):tb-cool:
     
  11. GNFA310

    GNFA310 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I totally disagree ... TT-scale actually is the best of HO (for details, etc.) and N (for those long trains.) And I fully believe had N-scale never became known, TT would be what N is today.

    BUT ... that's JMHO; FWIW! :tb-cool:
     
  12. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I avoid scrolling by bookmarking the forums that I visit most often. My bookmarks are on the bookmarks bar under a folder I created called "Trains." Much quicker than using the "Jump to Forum" button at the very bottom of the TB screens.
     
  13. Lownen

    Lownen TrainBoard Member

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    I share that opinion. I'm not getting rid of my N scale collection. I still love all my trains, regardless of scale. But I'd always wanted something a little bigger than N, though not so big as HO. The first time I laid my hands on a TT Loco, I knew I'd found it. Now if only Atlas, Kato, Athearn, etc. would give us some American RTR products. Maybe they could ease into it with TTn3 narrow gauge that runs on N scale track. Kind of like Bachmann and their On30 on HO track.
     
  14. Pete Steinmetz

    Pete Steinmetz TrainBoard Member

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    I visit a shop in Berlin. It has a very nice selection of TT. Most of it seems to be Swiss narrow gage. The detail is excellent. The quality is superb. It runs as well as it looks.
    I was tempted to buy some, but the exchange rate made any European purchases quite expensive.
     
  15. Gats

    Gats TrainBoard Member

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    Some of the Queensland narrow gauge (3' 6") modellers scratch in TT scale and run on N Scale track. Quick and easy fpr them and a great scratching scale.

    BTW, what are inches anyway? ;)
     
  16. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    The Swiss models you saw were most likely 'HOe', HO narrow gauge using TT gauge track to represent metre gauge. Some modellers of 3'6" gauge here in Queensland do the same and call it HOn3 1/2, there's only about 3 inches difference between 3'6" and metre.

    I think the N versus TT debate could be compared to VHS versus Beta, the one with the most commercial backing won. TT would be a good compromise bewteen HO and N as far as good running mechanisms and detailing.
     
  17. Lownen

    Lownen TrainBoard Member

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    NZ120 is TT scale narrow gauge or TTn3.5. NZ120 models New Zealand Rail 3'6" gauge equipment in TT scale (1:120) on N gauge track.


    These New Zealanders rock! Check out the NZ120 website.
     
  18. Rob de Rebel

    Rob de Rebel Permanently dispatched

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    I think this is one of those "could of, should of, would of" posts, As N is firmly bedded in the landscape, I seriously doubt 120 scale would get off the lauch pad. More likely stall, crash and burn. Oh there would be speciality items for those scratch builders, but getting anywhere near where N is at right now ?
    not!

    Rob

    lPS: I believe the TT scale would of been better details and running wise. So Your not the only one thats disappointed
     
  19. Lownen

    Lownen TrainBoard Member

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    Ron;

    You there is only one way you can be certain of failure in any endeavour... that's to give up. TT is anything but dead, the problem is that the manufacturers are all in Europe, mostly Eastern Europe, and they don't make any American rolling stock. In recent months I've heard more and more people in America talking about TT scale. Perhaps the time is right for it to resurface here. Don't be disappointed, be hopeful and add your voice to ours.

    And don't think of it as "N or TT", there is nothing wrong with "N and TT". Variety is the spice of life.
     
  20. Mr. SP

    Mr. SP Passed away August 5, 2016 In Memoriam

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    TT Scale

    Many years ago if I'm remembering right Fleischmann made some US prototype TT models. I remember the advertising in MR and RMC. The models once in a very great while show up in swapmeets.
    IMHO the scale and size would be excellent for those with too much space for N and not enough for HO.
    Maybe there will be a renewed interest and the present manufacturers of HO might take up making TT.
     

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