I thought I'd share this for the sheer insanity of it!
N gauge is my large scale hobby - I'm also a fan of T gauge (1:450 - 3mm track spacing), which has a vibrant if very small (in every sense) community of kitbashers, 3D printers and devotees. My recently dismantled N gauge layout had a T gauge industrial/harbour railway, representing 18" gauge.
Among the ridiculous work of the community is an A3 with smoke generator (and working valve gear, of course), DCC fitting... Someone's even made a working Wickham.
The sole UK manufacturer, tgauge.com, has been working on a class 08 for a couple of years - it was due around now but has been pushed back to October due to Covid. They just shared the pre-production bodyshell images - imprint of shell on lolly sticks for scale - this measures just 3/4", or a shade under 2cm long, with outside frames, and will have etched buffers, handrails and other details, as well as being 6-wheel drive. Oh, and the preorder price was £45 RTR...
Absolute madness.
Photos aren't mine, they belong to Alan Ramsay and were posted to Facebook, but I thought some here might appreciate it! The HST with a pound coin is for further sense of general scale (that's got directional lights, by the way).
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/6236-170820191814.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98282)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/6236-170820192357.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98283)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/6236-170820193132.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98284)
Roughly half of z-scale size? That's dedication, as well as eyeball straining.
Don't drop one of those on the floor, the carpet monster would eat that with no problems.
Far too small for my eyes
NGM
Quote from: N_GaugeModeller on August 17, 2020, 09:54:03 PM
Don't drop one of those on the floor, the carpet monster would eat that with no problems.
Far too small for my eyes
NGM
Been there! I've literally dropped a locomotive through a crack in my wooden floorboards...
It's a difficult scale to work with for various reasons (fiddly, over-sensitive, terrible trackwork especially the points), but when your 2+7 HST set is less than 50cm long and you can fit 2-3 scale miles of track on a small board, it has its rewards!
Absolutely remarkable!
Rather you than me, but impressive nonetheless. :thumbsup:
There is an excellent T gauge layout by a lady called Becky Stares in the December 2019 RM (the Rod Stewart issue). She has even scratch built local buildings!
So it looks like the ultimately challenge left in T gauge is live steam! I recall that Alan Sherwood got down to 1:240 scale in about 1970. With developments in technology since then maybe 1:450 is possible, :D
t gauge can be fun, here are some pictures of my t gauge layout with home made buildings done by down scaling buildings from other scales.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/3799-180820020034.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98302)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/3799-180820020139.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98303)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/3799-180820020315.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98304)
That's very cool, Di - didn't know you were into this gauge! :thumbsup:
I keep flirting with it, given the diminutive size it's ripe for 3D printing. You could do entire rows of houses in one go. :hmmm:
@Ditape (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3799) any chance of a pic of the overall track plan?
What size is the layout?
Interesting stuff.
I love a challenge and T Gauge looks right up my street. I have an old aluminium camera case that is begging me to do something with it ;)
Whilst I admire the cracking work and dedication involved I couldn't do it myself as I struggle enough with N gauge with my shovel hands ;D
Great looking layout though :D
I did flirt around with T gauge when it first came out, but in the end it was just didn't satisfy me in terms of reliability and smoothness of running so it's consigned to a shelf. Maybe one day I'll investigate if/how the mechs have improved.
It's nice to know people are getting it to work. I did scratch build some T track N scale bits for narrow gauge (and some hand made track!) but it was just too unreliable at the time.
Impressive.
I remember a Z gauge exhibition layout many years ago. They had taken the existing rolling stock and modified them into convincing British outline stock.
The name tickled me - "Istrayne" - pronounced "Eye Strain" :D
Quote from: ntpntpntp on August 18, 2020, 10:53:54 AM
I did flirt around with T gauge when it first came out, but in the end it was just didn't satisfy me in terms of reliability and smoothness of running so it's consigned to a shelf. Maybe one day I'll investigate if/how the mechs have improved.
In all honesty the rolling stock is far better than upon release a decade or so ago, but still not perfect. The current generation (2.5) has improved motors, better gearing and is much smoother and more hard wearing, but you're still dealing with minuscule tolerances so your track and wheels better be spanking clean, dry, a reasonable temperature and laid perfectly. The second generation of controllers are far, far better, with full width PWM. DCC fitted models seem to run very well off any standard system as long as you remember to turn down the voltage!
Reliable slow running isn't impossible but can be difficult - The points especially are temperamental and avoided (or custom made) by many, although new ones have been promised for some time and will apparently be making an appearance this winter, hopefully with better geometries as well.
Having said that, the 08 is an entirely new chassis design and mechanism which looks to have very impressive slow running and haulage from the 1st EP videos. The model shown in the original picture has apparently clocked up over 100 hours of motion. I'm looking forward to the model almost as much as I am to kitbashing it into all manner of 0-6-0s!
Quote from: emjaybee on August 18, 2020, 09:12:13 AM
@Ditape (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3799) any chance of a pic of the overall track plan?
What size is the layout?
Interesting stuff.
The layout fits on a piece of A1 foam board.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/3799-180820160633.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98349)
Quote from: Ditape on August 18, 2020, 04:07:17 PM
Quote from: emjaybee on August 18, 2020, 09:12:13 AM
@Ditape (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3799) any chance of a pic of the overall track plan?
What size is the layout?
Interesting stuff.
The layout fits on a piece of A1 foam board.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/98/3799-180820160633.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=98349)
Wowsers! That's a good ratio of space to track.
Thanks for that.
By way of an update on this little thing, they are now in production and due to be released in an couple of weeks. Tgauge.com have just released this video of the final pre-production version - without rods but they are obviously there for the final thing.
Etched ladders!?
https://youtu.be/dLtGQq6SJyM
Does everyone remember the very first tv sets that had magnifying glasses in front of them? Well, neither do I actually but I'm having visions of T gauge exhibition layouts with magnifying glasses in front of them so everyone can see the detail.
Saying it's impressive seems inadequate somehow.
Well, it's been a bit of a wait but these little marvels are now being shipped! I think my two are some way down the waiting list, but a couple of people on FB have received theirs. Here's a video, quite remarkable slow running all things considered! https://www.facebook.com/728256945/videos/435312988093319/ (https://www.facebook.com/728256945/videos/435312988093319/)
And a picture from another user. Approximately fingernail sized!
(https://scontent.fman4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/271652610_459202692429644_1137153045466593712_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=A64YdgLRpxgAX_jNvOW&_nc_ht=scontent.fman4-1.fna&oh=00_AT-WisaBNxYhUqz6rBXFCcGph7flmIeychqGcJgBFMXBVQ&oe=61E30894)
As much as I admire the time and patience that modelers have to be involved with T Gauge, its just too small for my eyesight. I imagine myself having to wear something like this to see it properly! ;)
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7d/02/f7/7d02f72ef83b6c6bb8156ab16d866666.jpg)
Quote from: Capri_sam on January 12, 2022, 05:25:28 PM
..
Here's a video, quite remarkable slow running all things considered! https://www.facebook.com/728256945/videos/435312988093319/ (https://www.facebook.com/728256945/videos/435312988093319/)
...
Log in to view. :thumbsdown:
Quote from: RailGooner on January 12, 2022, 05:52:44 PM
Log in to view. :thumbsdown:
Yeah, sorry it's a FB native video that was posted, I don't think I can make it public! I'll re-post if it appears elsewhere.
Yes, I thought, gotta see this! But the video won't play.
I found this video, if it's of any interest:
(edit: oh it's the same one as linked in an earlier post)
I must say that is impressive - has it got outside frames?
Quote from: Bealman on January 13, 2022, 04:46:08 AM
I must say that is impressive - has it got outside frames?
Sure does! And etched ladders.
(https://scontent.fman4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/271751640_459202622429651_8192377327336038638_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=k9k86VzChGMAX8LBJ5h&_nc_ht=scontent.fman4-2.fna&oh=00_AT9bYpxR1uaImCnCqSKW83FV2bNg9eIpb5tSCq3cO98Gcw&oe=61E451AB)
Amazing for such a small model. I'd dread to think how anyone would paint a more complicated livery on one!
Quote from: Capri_sam on January 13, 2022, 09:30:59 AM
Quote from: Bealman on January 13, 2022, 04:46:08 AM
I must say that is impressive - has it got outside frames?
Sure does! And etched ladders.
Just waiting for @Bealman (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=255) 's platform clearance testing video now :P
Wow! Although that rear coupling looks massive.
I wonder how long it will be before someone designs a DCC chip, plus stay alive, plus lights, plus sound?
Impossible? I'll bet we all thought that of N Gauge not so many years ago.
Quote from: Tank on January 13, 2022, 10:11:59 AM
Amazing for such a small model. I'd dread to think how anyone would paint a more complicated livery on one!
Yeah, we all know what livery you're talking about, boss ;)
Quote from: GrahamB on January 13, 2022, 11:41:20 AM
Wow! Although that rear coupling looks massive.
I wonder how long it will be before someone designs a DCC chip, plus stay alive, plus lights, plus sound?
Impossible? I'll bet we all thought that of N Gauge not so many years ago.
Well, maybe not in this one, but as standard T gauge stock comes with factory directional lighting, and there are small enough DCC chips to fit inside most rolling stock too (6 x 5 x 1.8 mm)! On-board sound? Now there's a fun challenge :)
Stay-alive is the bigger issue right now - T is reliant on sparklingly clean track to function, and the points have socking great plastic frogs (longer than the 08, which can't go over them without a pusher wagon) which cause no end of problems. Improvements have been promised for a few years now, we'll see if anything comes of it!
Quote from: Tank on January 13, 2022, 10:11:59 AM
Amazing for such a small model. I'd dread to think how anyone would paint a more complicated livery on one!
Wonder what livery you are thinking of good sir :hmmm: ;) :D ;D :smiley-laughing:
Quote from: Skyline2uk on January 13, 2022, 08:06:52 PM
Quote from: Tank on January 13, 2022, 10:11:59 AM
Amazing for such a small model. I'd dread to think how anyone would paint a more complicated livery on one!
Wonder what livery you are thinking of good sir :hmmm: ;) :D ;D :smiley-laughing:
Toothpaste comes to mind! :D