Newsdesk Special: ‘TT:120’ and D&E modelling

Hornby really set the hobby alight this month with its ‘TT’ scale announcement which kicked off its involvement in the scale’s British renaissance, and saw the launch of a complete range of 1:120 scale models and track. Diesel and electric modelling was not overlooked.

The unexpected resurgence of ‘Table Top’ scale in the UK, assisted by Hornby’s new British outline range, certainly set social media alight and polarised opinions quite rapidly. What does the new Hornby range and ‘TT:120’ scale in general mean for D&E modelling?

NEW INNOVATIONS are rare in the hobby and are usually accompanied with a degree of controversy. The first signs of ‘TT:120’ making its debut in the UK came when Peco announced a 12mm gauge track system in June 2022 which will have international appeal (//peco-uk.

com/blogs/news/tt-120launch). Heljan and Gaugemaster both announced locomotives at the same time.

All of these developments have since been overwhelmed by Hornby’s ‘TT:120’ launch, which effectively kickstarts an entire British outline range in the scale, including modern trains, from locomotives, rolling stock and buildings through to track and accessories

(uk.hornby.com/hornbytt120).

Controversially, Hornby has announced that the range will only be sold through its own website which has left a number of modellers wondering about the success of the venture. However, this sceptical view overlooks the fact that the vast majority of new models are offered by manufacturers through preorder offers through online stores where modellers will commit to purchases for models unseen. Time will tell if the new range, or indeed, adoption of 1:120 scale is a success in the UK. One hopes so, because there are benefits of ‘TT:120’ which could be explored by D&E modellers.

Please note that ‘TT’ and ‘TT:120’ (the British designation for ‘TT’) are used interchangeably in this article to describe 1:120 scale. Both are the same scale and gauge.

Not a new scale

Whilst ‘TT:120’ is a new scale to British outline modelling, it might surprise some modellers to discover that true ‘TT’ scale using 12mm track gauge was invented as far back as the mid-1950s by an American engineer, Hal Joyce. It was adopted in Europe during the 1950s and is closely associated with Tillig, among others. It began to lose popularity in the 1960s when ‘HO’ gauge came to dominate the hobby alongside the introduction of 1:160 ‘N’ scale.

Many companies involved in ‘TT’ ceased to manufacture models in the 1960s including Tri-ang Railways which halted production of its ‘TT3’ 3mm scale models in 1967. It remained as an important scale in the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War years with models being made available in Europe from East Germany by Zeuke/Berliner-TTBahne until the fall of the Soviet Union, after which the company struggled to survive.

It was acquired by Tillig which became the market leader in ‘TT’. Companies like Piko and Roco offering a range of TT scale models in the 1990s and 2000s adding to the scale’s appeal in Europe.

The result is that there are established NEM standards for ‘TT’ scale and gauge published by MOROP, including coupling and wheel standards. ‘TT’ scale has started to rival ‘N’ scale models in Europe and has the potential to do so in the UK too, with its adoption this year, provided it is properly marketed, sensibly priced and made as accessible to both modellers and newcomers to the hobby.

Old ‘TT’ scale

1:120 scale combined with 12mm gauge track is quite different to old British outline ‘TT’ (‘TT3’) produced by Tri-ang Railways, which was a compromise between scale and gauge. Whilst ‘TT3’ equipment was designed to run on

12mm track, the scale of the models was

greater to accommodate large motors of the time (1:101.6 or 3mm scale), making them incompatible with the new models announced this year

Modern tooling techniques together with smaller, more refined motors and drives coupled to miniature electronics means that the smaller loading gauge of British rolling stock is no longer a barrier to modelling in true 1:120 scale, unlike in the 1950s when motors were just too big to fit. This makes the scale much more attractive to modellers and with modern tooling techniques capable of incorporating high levels of detail into quite small models, the time for UK outline ‘TT:120’ may have finally arrived.

Benefits of ‘TT:120’

Unlike other established UK gauges, ‘TT:120’ is a true track gauge to scale combination where 12mm gauge track and models are both to 1:120 scale. It has always been seen as a good balance between ‘HO’ scale models (and ‘OO’ gauge) and ‘N’ scale, which whilst it offers advantages in space requirements, is considered by many to be too fiddly for scale modelling techniques such as scratch building and kit construction

(not really the case as your modelling editor will testify). A great deal of detail can be incorporated in ‘TT’ scale models without the bulk of ‘HO’ scale. When one considers the sheer size of a typical ‘OO’ gauge Co-Co diesel loco like a Class 50 and its impact on layout space, one can see why ‘TT’ will quickly gain followers!

The term ‘TT’ came from the term ‘Table Top’ where a good-sized layout can be constructed in the area of a table.

With this in mind and the popularity of ‘temporary’ layouts, pre-ballasted 12mm gauge track systems can be used to

construct temporary layouts. Tillig offers ‘Bedding’ track

(www.tillig.com/eng/ Bettungsgleissysteme.html)

designed for frequent setting up and dismantling of ‘TT’ scale layouts, which might suit modellers without the space to build a more traditional layout.

The balance between the two most popular UK scales means that ‘TT:120’ offers a chance to include more railway with full-length trains or landscape within a given area, or enjoy the hobby in a small house or apartment where space is too tight for ‘OO’ gauge. It’s size may be better suited to compact shunting layouts compared to ‘N’ gauge, making it very attractive.

For those with room, being able to configure a continuous track plan to avoid the problem of accessing the centre well of a layout is also a benefit. Layouts can be u-shaped around three walls of a room with the mainline in dog bone format allowing an open walk-in to the layout, without taking up much space.

One point which might not be immediately appreciated by UKoutline modellers is that the adoption of 1:120 scale makes the Hornby and Peco ranges compatible with overseas ‘TT’ unlike British ‘N’ gauge where the models are slightly larger than 1:160 scale used in Europe and the

US, for example. This makes a wide range of accessories (as well as track) available to the British D&E modeller. Building materials, figures, lighting and other scenic items do not have to be specifically scaled to the UK market (unlike ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge) to be used to advantage in a UK outline 1:120 scale layout.

Technical features

NEM standards for 'TT’ scale are already established by MOROP which have been adopted by the New Hornby range as far as can be determined at this point. The couplings are the same as those used in Europe, together with the coupling pockets which are to NEM 355. A variety of different coupling types are already available which should fit the UK-outline models including bar couplings for coaching stock which will work best with the close coupling cams being incorporated in the Hornby models.

Such up-to-date models include advanced electronics for which

DCC interface sockets are fitted including NEXT18 sockets in the larger locomotives. The Pullman stock is equipped with interior lighting and current collection too.

The Hornby range

The scope of the new range is particularly broad, covering a wide area of interest for both steam and D&E modelling. Hornby has published a programme of releases beyond the launch models which is an ambitious programme in its own right.

Diesel traction to be released in the first phases includes the all-important Class 08 shunter with six-pin DCC socket in several different liveries. The model incorporates a number of detail variations to suit the BR blue model, GB Railfreight and DB versions.

More classic BR traction comes in the form of the Class 50 with NEXT18 interface socket and five-pole skew wound motor. It is also to be produced in three liveries including GB Railfreight No. 50049 Defiance; heritage BR green as

No. 50007 Sir Edward Elgar and BR large

Class 50s are among the first diesel and electric locomotive models to be released in ‘TT:120’ scale by Hornby, a small part of a hugely ambitious project to launch the scale in the UK. Class 50s visited the Highlands in June 2006 where the train traversed both the Far North and Kyle lines. Attadale, beside Loch Carron is the location of this view of the train taken on June 17, 2006.

Slam door Mk.3 coaches to match the HST power cars will be finished in GWR (shown), BR blue and grey together with InterCity. Sufficient trailers for complete train formations are being tooled, including catering, and TGS vehicles, priced at £32.49.

Five different Class 66s are in the first two batches of new models, including one example dressed in Colas Rail livery. It will be interesting to see if the various running light combinations are worked into the tooling (TT3016).

Three Class 50s are in the pipeline including No. 50007 Sir Edward Elgar (TT3013). They are priced at £145.99 and expected in spring 2023.

HST power cars will be sold in packs comprising of a powered car and a trailing one in the same manner as the ‘OO’ gauge models. Each of the three packs are priced at £169.99 and are fitted with running lights and NEXT18 decoder sockets. (TT3023 shown.)

No. 66714 (TT3016) is one of three models representing GB Railfreight Class 66s which have a £102.99 price tag.

Class 08 shunters will be much welcomed for those looking to buy into ‘TT:120’ for a compact layout project. In addition to the GB Railfreight/HNRail model (TT3003), there is a BR rail blue example which will go with many of the wagons announced for the first phase (TT3001).

DB livery is applied to the third Class 08 shunter (TT3002) which is priced at £118.95.