Modellings tips and answers - Modelling in TT gauge

This week in history

On Sunday 29th September 1946, the third production Lockheed P-2V1 Neptune of the United States Navy took off from Perth in Western Australia attempting a non-stop flight to Washington.  Every available space on the aircraft was filled with fuel for the journey, so much so that the take-off weight of the aircraft was 85,575 pounds (42.8 Tons).  This was the heaviest-ever take-off weight for a twin-engined aircraft up to that time and necessitated the use of four rocket pods.  With a crew of four humans and a grey kangaroo, the aircraft, now known as the Truculent Turtle safely touched down in Columbus Ohio after a non-stop flight time of just over 55 hours and a distance of 11,235 miles.  This smashed the preceding record by over 1,000 miles and stood until it was eventually bettered in 1962.

This week's item for thought is the Sea foam Bush & Tree kit by Busch.  Using specially prepared natural plant material, this set aims to provide the modeller with 15-30 trees, depending on individual requirements and sizes.  There are varying shades and hues of deciduous trees provided, each of which can be carefully pruned with scissors for the correct shape and size.  The trees can be stabilised with wire to provide overhanging branches and can also be painted as desired.  The resulting trees can be placed in a layout or diorama using white glue and can also be decorated with flock material or scatter to indicate snow on the boughs or other similar seasonal effects.

For many British-based modellers, TT gauge may well be a new concept, although it has been a popular working scale for layouts in Europe and North America for some time.  Originating in the late 1940s in the United States, TT gauge conforms to a scale of 1:120, which correlates to a 12mm perpendicular distance between the rails.  As such, TT gauge sits near enough halfway between OO/HO and N gauges.  The letters TT stand for 'table top', as one of the driving principles behind the new gauge was to create a working layout gauge that was both compact and easy to assemble and disassemble, being especially aimed at modellers for whom available space was at a premium.  Although a popular scale on the continent, Tri-ang failed in Britain with its own variation at a slightly different scale of 3mm to the foot (about 1:100) available from the mid 50s to the mid 60s.

However, in 2022, both Hornby and Peco announced that they would start producing items in TT gauge (1:120) with the aim of gaining traction in the UK market.  To that end, this week we will delve into a selection of items needed to build a TT gauge layout, looking at offerings from both British and European manufacturers.

As previously mentioned, the Devon-based UK manufacturer Peco has started to produce a range of items for TT gauge, including various code 55-based track sections.  One of the most practical items available for new modellers will be their 914mm flexible track segments.  To all intents and purposes, this segment is a yard long and has the added benefit of being flexible, so it can be easily shaped to adapt to a particular layout.  Peco also produce a selection of points, including the medium radius, right hand unifrog.  Other radius options are also available within the Peco range with both left and right-hand turnout variants.  As with other gauges, these points can easily be configured for automated operation if so desired.  The short crossing track segment is visually appealing and highly realistic.

TT scale ballast spreader by Proses will be a useful tool for any modeller, offering ease of use and great control when working with a variety of ballast substrates.  For those looking to model a shunting or goods yard, the rail  buffer stop plastic kit provides sufficient parts to assemble 4 realistic-looking buffer stops optimised for use with code 55 track sections.  In keeping with the table-top theme of TT gauge, modellers looking to create a small branch line station may find that the platform edge stone plastic kit fits the requirement.  Ideally optimised in height for Peco code 55 track, this kit contains 6 pieces and is 133mm in length.  This kit can be used in conjunction with others from the Peco range to create a bespoke station platform.

In addition to a wide selection of track options, Peco has also invested in a new range of layout buildings to add realism and authenticity to a TT gauge layout.  The country station kit will be an ideal complement to the previously mentioned platform kit.  Based on the station building at West Bay in Dorset, this building was typical of those found on rural branch lines operated by the Great Western Railway (GWR).  This is a laser-cut wood kit that measures 115mm by 47mm.  Similarly, the GWR goods shed kit by Peco is also a laser-cut wood kit that is based on an existing building at Bovey in Devon.  For modellers looking for scene elements that are both unusual and eye-catching, the hard  foam T-Rex by Noch would be a great choice.  Pre-coloured and made of durable foam, this interesting item is ready to be integrated into a layout.

Adding further scene elements to a TT gauge layout is a relatively straightforward process due to the vast array of products produced by other european manufacturers.  The benches and litter bins kit by Noch contains 6 benches and 3 litter bins that could be used to populate a number of layout scenarios, such as a station environment or a municipal park.  The German manufacturer Preiser is well known for the production of accurate and detailed pre-painted figure sets.  Their passengers waiting and travellers seated plastic figure sets present a diverse selection of persons that offer modellers a practical and affordable way to populate a station environment.

TT gauges offers a number of advantages to both new and existing modellers alike.  The 'table top' ethos of the originators still runs true today, ensuring that a TT layout offers a good level of detail, whilst balancing a need for spatial economies that may well be an important consideration for many modellers.  New adherents to TT can rest assured that the significant range of items available from both British and European manufacturers ensures there is already a significant selection of layout resources to choose from.  Additionally, both Peco and Hornby are actively preparing a host of exciting new products for rollout in the near future and are actively looking to tempt modellers into the TT world.

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