TT Scale why is it not popular in North America?

[markpierce]

In the early days, it might have had something to do with the availability of good, small, reasonable cost electric motors for the locomotives.  That might explain the popularity back in the '40s and '50s of HO camelback switchers because their wide fireboxes had more room for the motor in a small locomotive.  When smaller motors became available, the surge in HOn3 (about the same size as TT) became popular.  When even smaller motors became available, several manufactuers hopped on the new OOO (now N) scale.  TT was "passed by," perhaps because there wasn't enough size difference to support demand and manufactuer interest.

Mark

[IRONROOSTER]

Most of what's available in the U.S. is covered here http://www.ttscale.com/

It looks like there is enough to get started.  For the enterprising, MDC HOn3 kits might be convertable as well some European models.

The scale is a natural for a 4x8 layout. 

Enjoy

Paul 

[Jetrock]

The biggest problem with TT in the U.S. was lack of manufacturer support.  Most TT products were made in Eastern European countries, IIRC, so it was very scarce in this country.  Some modelers at the time derisively called it "Too Tiny," even though N scale came along and was even smaller.

What is IIRC ???

"If I Remember Correctly," if I remember correctly.

[Driline]

The biggest problem with TT in the U.S. was lack of manufacturer support.  Most TT products were made in Eastern European countries, IIRC, so it was very scarce in this country.  Some modelers at the time derisively called it "Too Tiny," even though N scale came along and was even smaller.

What is IIRC ???

[AltonFan]

There was, in the late 1980s or early 1990s, an attempt to revive TT scale in the US, driven, in part, by some East European manufacturers trying to break into the US market.  The issue got some coverage in the hobby press, and then disappeared.  I understand the companies involved in this attempted revival all went bankrupt.

[dragenrider]

About a year ago I did some research and toyed with the idea of switching to TT.  To me, it's the perfect marriage of heft, detail, and size.  N scale is just a tad too small.  HO is great but eats space.  TT would be just right....IF there were items available to choose from.

At this time there is no more room for an additional scale.  I don't believe the market would absorb it.  It would take a dedicated and extended campaign, and the offering of a variety of quality products for TT to become a viable alternative to today's modelers. 

[tomikawaTT]

TT in the United States was only produced commercially by one individual, and when he lost interest it pretty much died.  The products were NOT well detailed (I still have a set of TT freight trucks formed of stamped and bent brass) and were going up against the established HO manufacturers (who, by that time, were casting highly detailed models - for the day - in zinc alloy.)

American TT had pretty well expired when the first N scale items (Arnold Rapido, IIRC) made their appearance.  For modelers who had been attracted to Table Top for its size, N scale meant that they could build a ping-pong table's worth of HO track plan on the dinette table - the final stake in the heart of TT gauge as a mass-market contender.

European TT didn't have much influence on this side of the pond, not so much because of its size as because of the fact that European railroading (and especially Eastern European railroading during the Cold War) has never attracted much interest here.  Individuals may be avid modelers, but they are flying well below the radar of general awareness.

(As a modeler of Japanese prototype in an oddball scale, I can understand that.)

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[RR Redneck]

If manufacturers are willing to go out on a limb and chance introducing it, then it might have a chance in the US. Untill then though, it isnt likely to happen.

[cacole]

The biggest problem with TT in the U.S. was lack of manufacturer support.  Most TT products were made in Eastern European countries, IIRC, so it was very scarce in this country.  Some modelers at the time derisively called it "Too Tiny," even though N scale came along and was even smaller.

[mobilman44]

Artur,

  I do recall some TT activity back in the '50s, but of course nothing much became of it.  My opinion as to why is that no major manufacturer(s) grabbed on and promoted it.  In example, Lionel supported O gauge, American Flyer S gauge, Athearn & MDC and several others supported HO.  In later years when N was developed (why N and not a rebirth of TT???), companies like Bachmann, Model Power, and eventually Kadee threw their support here.

I currently model and have an HO layout.  I built an N scale layout 20 years ago but found it too small for my eyes/fingers.  If TT had been around I think I might have tried it instead.

For what its worth.......

Mobilman44

[Artur]

Back in Europe as a kid in I had lots of TT scale stuff, but I never seen it here in North America. I think it's a good scale not as big as HO and not as small as N so it should allow for a lot of detail.