T scale
Encyclopedia
T scale a.k.a. T Gauge, is a model railroad scale with a gauge of . It was introduced at the Tokyo Toy Show in 2006 by KK Eishindo
of Japan, and went on sale in 2007. It is presently the smallest commercial model train scale in the world. Since mid 2009, Railway Shop (Hong Kong) is the exclusive licensed manufacturer.
The models are powered with a battery-powered throttle (with 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
ic wheels, and the track has steel rails.
The first train released is the Japanese 103 series
commuter train in different versions. Each standard trainset comes with two powered cars, which are located in the center of the train. The front and rear cars are equipped with directional headlights. The tiny pantograph
s are made of etched stainless steel. The Hankyu Railway
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.
Presently, track is offered with three different curve radii: 120 millimetres (4.72 in), 132.5 and 145 mm (5.2 and 5.7 in); straight tracks are 30 and 60 mm (1.2 and 2.4 in) long. As of Q1 2010, switches (or turnouts) and crossovers are in the final stages of production. The sectional track is "roadbed" style, with integrated "ballast." The rail is approximately 0.04 inches (1.016 mm) high ("Code 40"). Track pieces are connected with gold-plated metal rail joiners plus plastic clips in the roadbed. Different types of dummy catenary
masts can be attached to the track. Flex track is available in one metre lengths, with wood or concrete ties (not "roadbed" style).
The throttle is powered by three 1.5 V AA batteries, an optional AC adapter, or a USB plug. The direction of the train is changed by pressing a button. The control system includes two infrared
sensors that can be clipped to the track. These sensors are used to automatically change the direction of the train if it is being operated on a linear (or point-to-point) track configuration, as opposed to a continuous loop. The throttle allows you to choose either instant reversing, or reversing after a delay of approximately 5 seconds. The basic track set includes an oval of track, controller, electrical feeder, two sensors, rerailer, and a wheel cleaning device for the powered trains. The AC adapter is available separately; plug versions for continental Europe, Britain and USA are available.
In addition to the trains and track, available accessories include a large variety of scenic items: 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 modeler can install. The plastic figures, etched metal bikes, and other small items have small pins to make installation on a layout easier; the modeler 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" is available, as well as a street decoration decal sheet, which comes with a scale ruler to aid 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). Eishindo is leveraging this effect and will be offering a limited-release Incline Railway set, which will feature a single powered unit that climbs a steep straight track.
Additionally, Eishindo sells a train set for use in G Scale
model railroading. The set includes an oval of track, a special riding-style locomotive and cars, and G scale figures to ride the train.
T scale trains may be used with model airplanes 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.
Eishindo
KK Eishindo is a Japanese manufacturer of model railroad products, including the smallest commercially made trains, T scale ....
of Japan, and went on sale in 2007. It is presently the smallest commercial model train scale in the world. Since mid 2009, Railway Shop (Hong Kong) is the exclusive licensed manufacturer.
The models are powered with a battery-powered throttle (with 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
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, and attracts or repels other magnets.A permanent magnet is an object...
ic wheels, and the track has steel rails.
The first train released is the Japanese 103 series
103 series
The is a commuter electric multiple unit type introduced in 1964 by Japanese National Railways , and currently operated by West Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company . They were also operated by East Japan Railway Company and Central Japan Railway Company .-Prototype:Built in 1963...
commuter train in different versions. Each standard trainset comes with two powered cars, which are located in the center of the train. The front and rear cars are equipped with directional headlights. The tiny pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
s are made of etched stainless steel. The Hankyu Railway
Hankyu Railway
is a Japanese private railway that provides commuter and interurban service to the northern Kansai region and is one of major businesses operated by Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. The railway's main terminal is at Umeda Station in Osaka...
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.
Presently, track is offered with three different curve radii: 120 millimetres (4.72 in), 132.5 and 145 mm (5.2 and 5.7 in); straight tracks are 30 and 60 mm (1.2 and 2.4 in) long. As of Q1 2010, switches (or turnouts) and crossovers are in the final stages of production. The sectional track is "roadbed" style, with integrated "ballast." The rail is approximately 0.04 inches (1.016 mm) high ("Code 40"). Track pieces are connected with gold-plated metal rail joiners plus plastic clips in the roadbed. Different types of dummy catenary
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
masts can be attached to the track. Flex track is available in one metre lengths, with wood or concrete ties (not "roadbed" style).
The throttle is powered by three 1.5 V AA batteries, an optional AC adapter, or a USB plug. The direction of the train is changed by pressing a button. The control system includes two infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
sensors that can be clipped to the track. These sensors are used to automatically change the direction of the train if it is being operated on a linear (or point-to-point) track configuration, as opposed to a continuous loop. The throttle allows you to choose either instant reversing, or reversing after a delay of approximately 5 seconds. The basic track set includes an oval of track, controller, electrical feeder, two sensors, rerailer, and a wheel cleaning device for the powered trains. The AC adapter is available separately; plug versions for continental Europe, Britain and USA are available.
In addition to the trains and track, available accessories include a large variety of scenic items: 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 modeler can install. The plastic figures, etched metal bikes, and other small items have small pins to make installation on a layout easier; the modeler 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" is available, as well as a street decoration decal sheet, which comes with a scale ruler to aid 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). Eishindo is leveraging this effect and will be offering a limited-release Incline Railway set, which will feature a single powered unit that climbs a steep straight track.
Additionally, Eishindo sells a train set for use in G Scale
G scale
G scale is a scale for model railways, and because of its size and durability, G scale is often used outdoors. Such installations are known as garden railways.-LGB:...
model railroading. The set includes an oval of track, a special riding-style locomotive and cars, and G scale figures to ride the train.
T scale trains may be used with model airplanes 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.
See also
- ZZ scaleZZ scaleZZ scale is a model railroad scale with a standard gauge of only . Models for the scale are produced exclusively by Bandai, and depict Japanese prototypes such as Shinkansen trains. To date, no other traditional scale railway support exists for the scale...
- Z scaleZ scaleZ scale is one of the smallest commercially available model railway scales with a track gauge of . Z scale trains operate on 0-10 volts direct current and offer the same operating characteristics as all other two-rail, direct-current, analog model railways...
- Rail transport modelling scalesRail transport modelling scalesRail transport modelling utilises a variety of scales to ensure scale models look correct when placed next to each other. Model railway scales are standardized worldwide by many organizations and hobbyist groups...
- Model railway scales