Here in Russia TT is very popular, more popular than N. We have 2 major manufacturers producing Russian railroad cars in TT and some locomotives. Also some scenery is available, especially automobiles.
As for me, I am trying to build TT-scale version of “Virginian” layout from Model Railroader. And also I have quite a lot of American automobiles in TT! 
Virginian? Here’s some hoppers (I don’t know if Virginian ran these exact styles):
http://www.shapeways.com/product/3H6KE6PWJ/tt-scale-40-triple-hopper-9-panel
http://www.shapeways.com/product/C5JKVKYR8/tt-scale-40-triple-hopper-14-panel
This loco would be a fun scratchbuild:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGN_EL-C
Yes, nice cars. I have some. But they are too ribbed; it’s difficult to paint and apply decals well on them.
But I have some resin cars.
Nah, I dont’t like electric trains
To be more precise, I mean I like the track plan of that “Virginian” layout.
But I have some locomotives painted and lettered for SOO Line and DSS&A railroad, so I am to combine that track plan, coal traffic (not only) and SOO Line locomotives…
Forgot to add a picture to my last post. Here’s a 3 foot section using the resin cast sections.
This is the start of the Gum Stump & Snowshoe shelf layout.
I used the resin cast sections to layout the track up the first grade. That grade is around 9%.
Turnouts in Code55 are not avilable in TT scale. So I made a turnout using my CNC mill and printed circuit board.
Using a jig to assemble straight track using Clover House PC ties.
I soldered the single rail with the PC ties to the turnout rail. This allows for easy bending of the rail.
Using a home made roller gauge I soldered the second rail to the first.
The finished sections. Clover House wood ties can now be added to fill in the gaps between the PC ties.
Pic of the milling process to make the #4 turnout.
So, TT scale is alive and well in my basememnt anyway.
Bernd
TT scale is quite popular in Poland as well - more than N scale. There are a lot of clubs and modelers who build moduls and layouts in this scale here.
It is very interesting how the invention of American engineer Hal Joyce became the most popular in Europe and practically dead in US. In my opinion it is true that TT is even more popular in East Europe. I believe it comes from communist era. The biggest company which produced TT models in 60s (BTTB - Berliner TT Bahnen - former Zeuke) was in East Germany. Trade between western and communist countries practically didn’t exist so the only source of models was this national German company. Therefore TT became very popular and other countries from “communist bloc” developed their own markets for these models. This is why TT is still strong here in Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia. Especially if we are talking about older modelers. New generations (if they are interested in something else beside smartphones) are interested rather in HO models.
TT (Table Top) scale was also perfect for small flats in which most people in communist era lived. It changed a lot since 1989. More people own houses and have more space for layouts. I also started with TT scale but when I got my first American model I loved it and devoted complety to American trains.
There are some modelers in Europe who are keen on American models and plan to start companies to sell American models in TT scale.
For example:
http://www.zeuke-tt.com/en/us-tt-models/
They started with SW1200 loco and some tank cars. Box cars are also planned.
That is correct. In UK they use the 3 mm scale what is bigger than the standard TT. The early ROKAL models were also bigger as the reall TT scale models today. In that age in Europe the exact scale was not very important (also in H0 scale the models were somewhere between 1:78 to 1:87).
The only chance TT has, and it is a slim one is if there is a rush by manufacturers to make a number of popular US locos and diesels and rolling stock in the scale. HO and N just have too many choices in both to make TT stand a comeback, even though it was never really here in the U.S. in any real sense of the word in the first place.
TT was born here, but seems to have matured in Europe to some degree, forcing most modelers to run a European themed layout in terms of motive power choices and rolling stock.
For the true TT enthusiast here in the U.S., it is roll your own track and scoop up what little U.S. motive power that might be around new or used. Very much a specialty scale right now for the guy who hears a different drummer.
Nice work!
I’m looking forward to seeing your take on the Gum Stump & Snowshoe- it’s a classic design.
Sadly, it’s especially timely, as Chuck Yungkurth passed away within the last week.
Thank you Fritz. Your kind words are much appreciated.
My version of the Gum Stump & Snowshoe version will have a lumbering theme. There will eventually will be another section added to this after I prove out some of track building methods.
Sad to hear Chuck passed on. I always liked his articles.
Regards,
Bernd
Two thoughts on your post.
The coming 3D printing revolution will make small volume scales much eaier to model. (TT and S come to mind, but also 160/1 British N rather than 144/1 N, etc.)
Your N scale engines look nice! Have you considered a B23-7R in N?? (not to go off topic…nooooo, not me! ) 
I’d use a 3D printed master and then use one of the many table top plastic injection molding machines to make parts using epoxy molds which hold up very well into the 200 cast parts per mold. 3D printing is to slow for production runs, even 100 or less. 3d is great for making a master though.
Bernd
I have been working with TT scale since I bought a Tri-Ang (British) TT scale collection at a train show about ten years ago. I started out collecting European TT for a few years, then a chance eBay auction win on some North American TT trains got me hooked on North American TT modeling. I have tried my hand at building cars from scratch and liked it.
I even setup my sparsely landscaped layout at the 2013 National Train Show in Atlanta, GA and plan to try to make it to the 2018 National Train Show in Kansas City, Missouri with a better layout and display.