Somehow I’m only just finding out about T-scale trains today! If you don’t know, it’s between 1:450 and 1:500 scale, and yet the trains are motorized and geared just like the more common scales (wheels are magnetized for traction). The size difference between it and N is about the same as putting an N scale model next to S scale! As far as I know, there’s only one manufacturer, and they’re so far making models for Japanese, European and recently North American railroads. TGauge.us | At a scale of 1:450 TGauge is the smallest commercially available model railway in the WORLD!
Anyone ever tried them before? I’m kind of tempted to get one of their sets and track kits (AFTER I get some long-awaited projects and HO layout work done!) and then 3D print some buildings to go with it. Seems kind of interesting to be able to fit a full motorized train layout in the space of a briefcase.
I actually remember hearing about a guy on another message board who was 3D printing a lot of his own stuff for T scale. 1:400 and 1:500 are common scales for miniature airports and ships so it makes sense somebody would develop a way to make model trains close to it too.
There is even more fun in what you can do in more typical ‘layout space’. Put “Penzance” in community search, or google T-scale Penzance, and see what is possible. We had a thread on this within recent months.
The methods used to power trains at this scale are interesting.
Our multi-scale club has 1 T-scale member. They bring a couple layouts to shows and set them up on a folding table.
What they have runs well, they do run on lower voltage than N and HO trains, I think 8v. The locos don’t seen as durable and need to be frequently swapped out to avoid overheating.
Some of the N- scale guys have talked about using it as a starting point for some narrow gauge N equipment.
Didn’t even think about the heat before, but I guess trains this tiny wouldn’t have much room for heat dissipation. Short runs would definitely be best as opposed to all day running. Still might be a fun thing to try out eventually though!
