TT scale

Infobox Model Rail Scale
name = TT Scale
image_filename =
image_caption =
widthpx =
scale = 1/10th inch (1 inch equals 10 feet)
ratio = 1:120
standard = NEM, NMRA
gauge = 12mm
prototype_gauge = Standard gauge|

TT scale is a niche model railroading scale, whose name stands for Table Top. Its 1:120 scale (from a common engineering scale where one inch equals ten feet) and 12 mm gauge sizes it almost halfway between HO scale (1:87) and N scale (1:160). Its original purpose, like the name suggests, was to make a train small enough to be able to assemble and operate it on a tabletop. In wargaming the TT scale equals the 15 mm scale where the height of "standard" 180 cm soldier height is 15 mm.

TT retains a comparatively small but growing popularity in the former East Germany, Eastern Europe and in the United Kingdom. Adherents to TT maintain it is the smallest practical scale, especially for those who like to build models from scratch.

History

TT scale was invented in the United States by Hal Joyce, a former automotive designer. He founded a company in 1945, and his first advertisement appeared in 1946. By the early 1950s it had a following, offering less detail than HO — considered by some to be an advantage at the time — and a lower price than most other scales. Numerous other companies began offering TT scale trains, track, and accessories as well, and TT scale became popular in Europe in addition to the United States.

By the early 1960s, TT had been eclipsed in popularity by N scale, which is smaller. TT scale manufacturers were Rokal and Zeuke, which later became Berliner TT Bahn and ultimately Tillig.

British TT

Infobox Model Rail Scale
name = TT, TT3 or 3mm Scale
image_filename =
image_caption =
widthpx =
scale = 3mm
ratio = 1:101
gauge = 12mm
prototype_gauge = Standard gauge|British TT is 3 mm scale; that is, 1:100. There is a [http://www.3mmsociety.org.uk Three Millimetre Society] , a British based society which caters for railway modellers of 3 mm scale. This society was formed in 1965 [ [http://www.3mmsociety.org.uk/history1.htm 3mm Society: History] ] , some years after Tri-ang, a British railway manufacturer introduced model locomotives and rolling stock, in what was then a new model railway scale in Britain, known as 'TT' or 'TT3' back in 1957. The aims of the society are to encourage modellers working in this scale and it produces a quarterly magazine and assists with the production of locomotive and rolling stock kits, components and the supply of secondhand items/spares.

Manufacturers

Currently German manufacturer Tillig and Slovenian manufacturer Mehano are the larger companies who make TT scale rolling stock. Russian manufacturer Peresvet is another manufacturer who produces TT scale models, mostly Russian prototypes. Most TT scale track today is made by Tillig, who offers both standard model railroad track and an integrated roadbed track using Kato's Unijoiner system.

Roco attempted to get into the business, but has largely given up. All its TT scale models are now sold through Tillig. Fleischmann and Arnold both created single TT products, but have not continued to develop new products. The newest larger company to enter the TT market is Piko. There is a larger variety in the accessories market, where some companies have a long-time involvement with the scale and others recently started to support it as well. Prototypes are almost only German (with a focus on the former East Germany) and some Eastern European models. Auhagen is a major supplier of models of Continental buildings. Triang produced a Continental/French range but it was only made for a very short while.

Current manufacturer of British TT is 3mm Scale Model Railways [http://www.3smr.co.uk] who supply updated GEM and BEC TT kits as well as a large range of Brass Etch and Resin body kits

Related scales

Variations include TTn3, where TT scale is run on N gauge (9 mm) track for narrow gauge operation. In New Zealand, this is known as NZ120 and is growing in popularity as a means of modelling the nation's RailGauge|42 gauge railway network. TT9 is modelling using British TT scale on 9 mm track to model RailGauge|36 gauge lines.

H.P. Products

H. P. Products is considered by many to be the founding firm of TT-gauge model trains. Hal Joyce, who founded H. P. Products of Hartford City, Indiana, is regarded as the "Father of TT-Gauge". Joyce, who originally was an automobile designer, began production around 1947. In that same era, Rokal and Triang were also beginning production, but H. P. is regarded as being the first firm to reach market. The product line included locomotive kits, passenger and freight car kits, track and detail parts. In the immediate period afterward, several other manufacturers also began production of TT items, notably the Kemtron Corporation (Levon Kemalyan, founder and owner), which manufactured metal castings in several scales. H. P. Products discontinued manufacturing their TT line in 1968, and the related tooling and kits have been passed through several hands. At last report, an individual in the Chicago, Illinois area retains what is left of the product line, but items often can be found on online auction sites.

References

External links

* [http://www.ttscale.com/w-history.htm History of the TT scale]
* [http://www.tillig.com/index-engl.htm Tillig Modellbahnen]
* [http://www.mehano.si/?PID=21&CID=60 Mehano Prestige TT]
* [http://www.vsrnonline.com/Library/Kemtron/ Kemtron Corporation]
* [http://www.3smr.co.uk 3mm Scale Model Railways]
* [http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk Worsley Works]