Nominal size T
The nominal size T is the smallest nominal size available today in the model railway sector that is mass- produced. The standard gauge , with a prototype gauge of 1435 mm, has a model gauge of 2.9 mm and is colloquially referred to as T gauge. The T stands for English 3 (mm) = three. The scale is 1: 480, but 1: 450 was chosen for the Japanese Cape Gauge trains produced first .
Gauge
| track | designation | Model gauge | Prototype gauge | Comment Calculated model gauge on a scale of 1: 480 or 1: 450 for Cape gauge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | Standard gauge | 2.9 mm | 1435 mm | 2.99 mm |
| T | Cape Track | 2.9 mm | 1067 mm | 2.4 mm |
The Cape-gauge railcars that have been offered up to now are therefore not on scale model gauge. With the appearance of the announced ICE3 on a scale of 1: 480, however, the right gauge will almost be achieved with a standard gauge train.
history
In 2006 the Japanese manufacturer KK Eishindo from Osaka presented this new system at the Tokyo Toy Show. From 2007 it came into the trade, triggering the trace ZZ of Bandai from the smallest standard model railway.
In 2009, the production of T-Gauge was transferred to Railway Shop in Hong Kong , and KK Eishindo has only been the licensor for the models and patents since then. Production takes place in our own manufacturing facility near Hong Kong. In Japan, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and Germany, this exotic gauge has meanwhile established itself, with the main focus of sales now being on Europe. So far, Japanese models have been industrially on the market, the ICE 3 modeled on Deutsche Bahn was released in 2013, and the British Intercity is also available . A British distributor now also offers its own train and a brass kit for a diesel locomotive . Overall, the market is still very manageable.
The accessories market also knows only a few products. The model railroader has to help himself with his own creations more than in other nominal sizes. T-Gauge itself offers a relatively extensive range of accessories such as houses, vehicles, figures and landscape elements; there are also models in the area of aircraft model accessories and architectural model requirements on a scale of 1/400 or 1/500 for gauge T are suitable.
technology
Due to the small track width of only 2.9 mm, the railcars are far too light to operate safely, which is why they are pressed onto the tracks by very strong magnets. The magnetic contact pressure is so high that the trains can run overhead on the rails. The use of high-quality speed controllers from the accessories area is ideal for prototypical slow driving, and with the latest generation of motors, even maneuvering is possible. The models have not yet been digitized, but according to the manufacturer it is possible and is being planned for the future.
Hankyū 9000 from KK Eishindo in size comparison
Comparison of tracks N, Z and T.
Comparison of tracks ZZ, T and TY
Steam locomotive in T gauge
T gauge steam locomotive on a 1 euro coin
