T gauge (1:450, 1:480 and 1:500) is a

model railway Railway modelling (UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland) or model railroading (US and Canada) is a hobby in which rail transport systems are Model building, modelled at a reduced Scale (ratio), scale. The scale models include locomotives ...

scale with a

track gauge In rail transport, track gauge is the distance between the two rails of a railway track. All vehicles on a rail network must have Wheelset (rail transport), wheelsets that are compatible with the track gauge. Since many different track gauges ...

of , referred to as "three-millimeter gauge" or "third of

N scale N scale is a popular model railway scale. Depending upon the manufacturer (or country), the scale ranges from 1:148 to 1:160. Effectively the scale is 1:159, 9 mm to , which is the width of standard gauge railway. However the scale may ...

." It was introduced at the Tokyo Toy Show in 2006 by KK Eishindo of Japan and went on sale in 2007. It is the smallest commercial model train scale in the world. Since mid-2009, Railway Shop (Hong Kong) is the exclusive licensed manufacturer. Vergleich N Z Ze T

The models are battery-powered by a throttle (with an optional AC adapter) at a maximum output of 4.5 V DC. To improve power pickup and tractive effort, the powered cars are fitted with

magnet A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible but is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet: a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, steel, nickel, ...

ic wheels. The first train released was the Japanese

103 series The is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type introduced in 1963 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and currently operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). They were also operate ...

commuter train in different versions. Each standard trainset comes with two powered cars, which are located in the middle of the train. The front and rear cars are equipped with directional headlights. The tiny pantographs are made of etched stainless steel. The

Hankyu Railway , trading as , is a Japanese private railway company that provides commuter and interurban service to the northern Kansai region. It is one of the flagship properties of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., in turn part of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Gr ...

9000 EMU Series and the Kiha 40 DMU were added to the line of available trainsets in early 2010 and feature improved mechanisms for better performance. The track is offered as either flexible sections of rail and sleepers at , or as rigid sections with roadbed, and a small selection of pieces without roadbed. Rigid curved track is available with four different radii: , in 15° and 30° arc lengths; straight tracks are long. Points (switches or turnouts) are available in a single length right and left hand with manual or electric throw.

Diamond crossing A double junction is a railway junction where a double-track railway splits into two double track lines. Usually, one line is the main line and carries traffic through the junction at normal speed, while the other track is a branch line that car ...

s are made in 30° and 90° in 60mm length. Several miscellaneous track sections are also sold including power, isolating, and level grade crossing. The standard sectional track is "roadbed" style, with integrated ballast, or without roadbed as "fine scale". "Fine scale" track is available in Track without roadbed is available as curved sections of 90° arc length; straight tracks are long. The rail is approximately high ("Code 40"). Track pieces are connected with gold-plated metal rail joiners plus plastic clips in the roadbed. Different types of dummy

catenary In physics and geometry, a catenary ( , ) is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or wire rope, cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends in a uniform gravitational field. The catenary curve has a U-like shape, ...

masts can be attached to the track. In addition to the trains and track, available accessories include a large variety of scenic items, including houses and apartment buildings, figures and animals, trees, bikes, boats, and more. The houses are assembled and pre-painted, with fully detailed interiors that the modeller can install. The plastic figures, etched metal bikes, and other small items have small pins to make installation on a layout easier; the modeller simply makes a hole and inserts the detail into the hole using a toolkit available from Eishindo. Road signs, traffic lights, and other street furniture are available, as is a street decoration decal sheet, which comes with a scale ruler to aid in the placement of markings and details. One unusual side effect of the magnetic wheels of the powered units is that they can climb acute grades (as steep as 45 degrees). T-scale trains may be used with

model airplanes A model aircraft is a physical model of an existing or imagined aircraft, and is built typically for display, research, or amusement. Model aircraft are divided into two basic groups: flying and non-flying. Non-flying models are also termed st ...

and model airports in the 1:400–1:500 scale range. Eishindo has been planning to produce a modest line of airplanes and accessories of their own.

References

http://www.kk-eishindo.co.jp/ The manufacturer—and creator—of T Gauge

External links

www.tgauge.com
largest online vendor serving customers internationally. * {{in lang, de}

German Railway Models in T Gauge
TalkingTGauge.net
a discussion forum for T Gauge modelling, techniques and layouts Model railroad scales

See also

References

External links