Marakas Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 After much consideration, and after several stop/starts, I have started collecting some Triang TT gauge locos, coaches and wagons, and unfortuntely, some type A track, with a view to building a small medium layout in the loft. I have spent the last few weeks getting the scent back, and rekindling the embers.....00 gauge too big, n gauge too small. TT gauge......purrrrfect. OK the RTR side isn't great, but maybe thats the point, if I can build a decent looking layout in TT, then I have worked harder!! Now I need some advice on triang running stock, and modern available track from Peco, tillig and the like. Is it going to run on it??? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hughes Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 You may be aware of them already but if not have a look at 3SMR.co.uk where they have a range of diesel locos rtr but unpainted. Their track page will explain what is available in that regard. They do their own range of flexitrack which the webpage says runs Triang. They also have a site dedicated to secondhand Triang at ttmodels.co.uk. At one time the 3mm Society used to resell a lot of Triang at cheaper prices than you normally find from the trade or on the likes of ebay. I don't know if they still do that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
3mm John Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Welcome to the 3mm congregation I hope you are successful in building a TT gauge railway, in answer to your query re Triang TT stock the 3mm society does have a good selection of Triang rolling stock ranging from "mint in box" to requires some attention! If you join the society you will be able to access the second hand shop. The society also has area groups around the country so depending on where you are located you might want to contact the relevant one, again once you join the society you will be able to find out the locations. I look forward to hearing how you get on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gastwo Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 3mm is alive and well down in sunny West Wales - we currently have three layouts built using 12mm peco H0 track, and quite a bit of old Triang stock. As 3mm John says, the 3mm Society is a good one to join - access to plenty of kits and parts. The biggest challenge with 3mm (or TT) modelling is the scenery and trackside. Most things, particularly buildings have to be scratch-built, though you can get away in some cases with H0 figures and vehicles, if you tuck them amongst other things! Best of luck with it. Shaun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
whart57 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 It's also worth checking the Web for 1:100 figures, cars etc. 1:100 is a scale used by architects to model projects for clients. Bought through architect's suppliers they are expensive but they are often available cheap in bulk over the Internet. The Chinese suppliers do use 1:100 and HO interchangeably so it can be a gamble. I have bought about 500 figures and 100 cars this way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hughes Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Preiser do some 1:100 figures too, including a pack of 190 unpainted ones and some people riding bicycles. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marakas Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Gents, many thanks for your help - I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. It's quite a minefield at first which is why I thought I would go with the Triang stuff first, then start modifying them to my own purposes, and then building up the skills over time to try something a bit more exotic in the future. I have done aircraft modelling in the past - and some of those skills are transferable!. I have received the first batch of stuff, including some locos - including a very nice Jinty which showed some of the potential of the scale, an 08 and a 31. Due to the condition of some of the items my first thought is to repaint. Some research has been done, and I have settled on Jinty's being black (for now) 08 going green, and the 31 going blue. Hows that for a mixed bag!? However, can anyone advise me on the decals I could be using? I have been on Fox Transfers, and Modeldecal but I can't get my head around the size of letters (LMS) and numbers, sizes for crests (for the 08), and then the arrows for blue BR 31. To be fair, given the age of the kit, some of the stuff looks really good, if a little coarse perhaps, but photos don't do them justice. Bear with me, I'm no expert, I'm in it for the fun, the challenge, the construction of a layout, and the smell of lubricating oil!! I'll build up the knowledge as I go along!! Probably a good idea to join the 3mm society..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 You won't regret it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
whart57 Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Probably a good idea to join the 3mm society..... Probably is. If you have done plastic modelling before you'll love all the wagon kits that are available Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fallen Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Wim is right, there are some very good and easy to assemble wagon kits. Currently a very good offer on some of the more common ones too. Have fun! Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marakas Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 Thanks Guys, I've joined the 3mm society and await the first delivery. There's quite a steep learning curve here, and some vast amounts of information to trawl through, I'm looking forward to being befuddled. Its a shame that only the Europeans have really taken to 3mm in any sort of way. Hornby need a petition, and a swift kick up the backside - it really is the best gauge, the best combination of scale and detail. I work in NR ( don't boo! ) and I've asked some colleagues for plans of signal boxes.....one of the long term objectives is to do some scratch building in card (with the plans overlaid with "skins") or in plasticard.... Could really do with some advice on decalling these locos though....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG John Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 one of the long term objectives is to do some scratch building in card (with the plans overlaid with "skins") or in plasticard.... You can print the downloadable card building kits, such as Scalescenes, to any scale you want. Buy the 00 ones, and print at 75% or thereabouts, depending on the exact scale you're using. Or N gauge kits may scale up adequately. I mentioned Scalescenes because I've got loads of them to build, but there are quite a few other producers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hughes Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Doesn't the 3mm Society shop have transfers suitable for the locos? For plans of buildings (and locos and rolling stock) the model railway magazines are a good source. Check the BRMNA Index and see what has been published, (although I am not sure how recently it has been updated) and watch out on ebay or somewhere like Magaizine Exchange for the issues with the drawings you want. (Or ask on here if anyone has them.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marakas Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 Graham, very interesting, thank you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
3mm John Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Welcome to the 3mm Association Marakas hope you find everything you need, the 2015 AGM is in Swindon on the 16th of May, details of which I am sure are in your joining pack. Plenty to see and enjoy and of course you will meet fellow enthusiasts for 3mm railway modelling. " The Hobbys best kept secret" Hope to see you there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium NCB Posted May 7, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 7, 2015 If you're looking for some buildings to get you started, then 3SMR have the full range of Bilteezi card kits in 3mm. With a bit of care they can make nice models. Re decals, look at the Transfers section on page 11 of the price list. FX3 BR loco & coach (Fox Transfers) may be what you're looking for. I should check with the shop, because FX3 contains a lot (so I believe, not used it) but costs £17.50, and I think there's a plan to chop it into smaller and cheaper discrete units. The Society runs a Yahoo group 3mm-scale-modelling, for members only, which you may well find worth joining, as it's a good source of information. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marakas Posted May 7, 2015 Author Share Posted May 7, 2015 Gentlemen, thank you for all your advice. The learning curve is steep! But I've put my head in the Lions mouth so to speak....lets see what happens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dorset Wanderer Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Suggest looking at Cambridge Custom Transfers site- most if not all can be produced in 3mm scale. Write to S/H trader of 3mm Society- ask him if he has what you want - AGM at Swindon in a week or so worth making the effort. Satisfied 3mm member for many years see my blog below. Good luck Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marakas Posted May 22, 2015 Author Share Posted May 22, 2015 Ok, so now a plan is starting to take some shape..... A small prototype board to practice the skills on - small station, siding, track, ballast, scenery......practice! Respray and mark up existing Triang Locos. White Metal kit of 4F to put on a Jinty Chassis..... Build a couple of wagons...... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanburyKev Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 3SMR have a huge range of 3mm scale transfers for the society wagon kits. They also have decals for locos as well. I suggest you try your local area group as well. They are a great source of help and inspiration. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
detheridge Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Try here for transfers: http://www.blackhamtransfers.com/ (usual disclaimer) And he can do any of his range to 'unusual' scales. Hope this helps, Best wishes, David. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodshaw Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Just one thing if you buy any Peco HOm points - Tri-ang locos and stock may need their back-to-back widening a fraction to go through the frogs comfortably. It's easy with the stock but more tricky with the locos. Also, the flanges of the earlier Tri-ang locos (pre-1960s maybe) are quite deep and touch the raised bits on the sleepers of Peco track as they go past. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted June 29, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 29, 2015 While I'm not modelling in 3mm, I've just looked on the 3MSR website out of interest, wow, there is loads of stuff available! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissRailPassion Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I agree with the OP. TT gives detail and scale whilst not being too small. It's an excellent size for modern homes where space is short. I found N gauge too small and I would like to run 6 and 7 coach trains, TT would enable this in a moderate space. I think there is potential to create a new market here. Modern rolling stock with 23m carriages and class 66's coming in at a foot long in OO really eat up space. TT would be excellent for modern image. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Fleece 30 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I have just found this TT site after using the TT technical advice page for a while. I know a couple of you on here have seen my posts there but a few names on here are unfamiliar so thought I would post my latest Tri-ang TT addition on here as it is so far. This is a 9F loco and tender using Tri-ang Jinty wheels and XT60 motor. The chassis and valve gear are from my own etched parts. The body is an old Britannia one with a scratchbuilt tender body for variation. The video shows the chassis running, it is designed to go around Tri-ang small radius curves. It has been painted black now and awaiting its transfers. Garry 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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