TheRailwire

General Discussion => HO and Larger Scales => Topic started by: DKS on December 15, 2007, 10:38:21 AM

Title: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 15, 2007, 10:38:21 AM
If all goes well, sometime around Christmas I should be receiving at
least one or possibly two T Gauge sets, plus an undetermined number of
accessories. If interested, please keep an eye on my T Gauge blog for
the details. I will of course post my findings immediately upon receipt.

http://1-450.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: 3rdrail on December 15, 2007, 06:14:59 PM
Hope you will post some photos here. I see possibilities for a traction layout of they get around to making turnouts.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 12:05:35 AM
I doubt very much there will ever be turnouts. The trains barely run (three speeds: stop, jerk, fly). You can read my initial report here:

http://1-450.blogspot.com/

Some sample photos... posing on my finger:
(http://jamesrivermodels.com/images/t_review_04.jpg)

One whole train set, with a penny:
(http://jamesrivermodels.com/images/t_review_02.jpg)

Roadbed track with power connector:
(http://jamesrivermodels.com/images/t_review_08.jpg)

An impressive mechanism, including a 4 mm diameter motor:
(http://jamesrivermodels.com/images/t_review_06.jpg)
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: Chris333 on December 16, 2007, 12:53:38 AM
Kind of sounds like some weight is needed, but you say they can barely pull themselves. It may be tricky. Perhaps a mini plug can be used between the cars.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 09:11:17 AM
Kind of sounds like some weight is needed, but you say they can barely pull themselves. It may be tricky. Perhaps a mini plug can be used between the cars.

My first thought. But, a miniplug would almost completely fill the end of the car. It's easy to forget just how tiny this stuff is until you get it between your fingers. I think the train will have to be permanently MUed in order for it to perform at all, let alone perform half-decently.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 11:03:33 AM
Video has been posted on YouTube:

/>
It is also embedded in the (revised) blog entry:

http://1-450.blogspot.com/2007/12/and-verdict-is_16.html
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: 3rdrail on December 16, 2007, 11:13:46 AM
Hmmm, I wonder if the rails were coated with something prior to shipping from the factory, like a fine coat of oil? If I were you, I'd gently clean the rail tops with a BrightBoy and then put some TV Tuner Lubricant and Cleaner on them. I note that the train seemed to stall on the same section of track. Perhaps the rail joiners need cleaning?
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: Pray59 on December 16, 2007, 12:39:03 PM
I'm thinking that they should have used all metal gears, and more of them, to get more momentum from the gearhead effect. Maybe that tiny motor is just too small.

What I would really like to know is where did you get the set? We have an army of people scouring the web looking for T Gauge, and nobody has even gotten an email reply from the manufacturer, much less found a source to purchase them?

It's funny how things work in life, the more badly you want something, the less likely you are to get it.

-Robert
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: bambuko on December 16, 2007, 12:49:49 PM
Video has been posted on YouTube:
doesn't look any worse than some of my Z locos straight out of the box  :) ;)
it is bound to be temperamental  >:( at first
I hope you can get it going
and regardless, I want one  8) as well !
where did you get it?
Chris
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 01:15:26 PM
What I would really like to know is where did you get the set? We have an army of people scouring the web looking for T Gauge, and nobody has even gotten an email reply from the manufacturer, much less found a source to purchase them?

I hope you can get it going
and regardless, I want one as well !
where did you get it?

I regret that my source must remain anonymous. That was part of the deal.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: Pray59 on December 16, 2007, 01:35:35 PM
How long will will this t Gauge remain a secret?
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 02:21:19 PM
How long will will this t Gauge remain a secret?

I don't think T Gauge is any kind of "secret" really. The Japanese blogs are starting to buzz about it; for instance, see http://1-450.blogspot.com/2007/12/otc-sales-targeted-for-1q08.html

As for finding overseas suppliers, it may simply be a matter of time once it hits the shelves more widely.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: bambuko on December 16, 2007, 02:37:22 PM
another question?
what rail code do they use in their T track?
judging from the pic on your blog:
(http://jamesrivermodels.com/images/t_review_09.jpg)
looks smaller than code40?
Chris
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 02:43:47 PM
another question?
what rail code do they use in their T track?
judging from the pic on your blog...
looks smaller than code40?
Chris

Actually, it is Code 40. But... it's steel! The profile is an inverted-T; it has no railhead.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: bambuko on December 16, 2007, 03:34:53 PM
... But... it's steel! ...
actually there quite a few people who swear by steel rail as a better choice than nickel silver ?
I must admit, that despite trawling through various groups where it was discussed I haven't managed to find definitive comparison
Chris
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 03:51:35 PM
I'm thinking that they should have used all metal gears, and more of them, to get more momentum from the gearhead effect. Maybe that tiny motor is just too small.

Metal gears would be way, way more expensive than the plastic ones. And besides, it's pointless to add any momentum effect to the mechanisms because of the magnetic wheels; the cars do not roll freely under any circumstances.

I think the motor is adequate; there simply needs to be more reduction. I'm contemplating bashing multiple mechanisms together to see if I can employ more compound gears.

actually there quite a few people who swear by steel rail as a better choice than nickel silver ?

Soldering must be a bear...
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: bambuko on December 16, 2007, 04:16:47 PM

actually there quite a few people who swear by steel rail as a better choice than nickel silver ?

Soldering must be a bear...
apparently not so  ;D
and steel is supposed to be twice as conductive as nickel silver
not to mention more prototypical colour  8)
Chris
ps
 there must be something in it if somebody as respected as Carr's and C+L Finescale (http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php (http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php)) offers all their products both in steel and nickel silver (http://www.finescale.org.uk/show_page.php?pid=104#f (http://www.finescale.org.uk/show_page.php?pid=104#f))
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: Chris333 on December 16, 2007, 04:25:10 PM
I remember Tyco HO steel track. It worked, but just got dirty much quicker it seemed.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: bambuko on December 16, 2007, 04:33:08 PM
I remember Tyco HO steel track. It worked, but just got dirty much quicker it seemed.
different steel ...
today they make it from "leadalloy" steel - easy to solder, good resistance to oxidisation
you are comparing old apples with new pears  ;D
Chris
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: BillN on December 16, 2007, 08:26:02 PM
Great review on your site David. It seems to me that unless someone has modelling talent at least on par with yours (which excludes me  :-[), that this set may not be a good investment.

The cars do look fantastic though. If only these guys would use that production capability to expand Z scale!

BTW, Hi everybody.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 16, 2007, 10:02:55 PM
Welcome to the asylum, Bill!
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: Sokramiketes on December 17, 2007, 12:27:33 AM
What I would really like to know is where did you get the set? We have an army of people scouring the web looking for T Gauge, and nobody has even gotten an email reply from the manufacturer, much less found a source to purchase them?

I hope you can get it going
and regardless, I want one as well !
where did you get it?

I regret that my source must remain anonymous. That was part of the deal.

They fell off the truck...
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: nscalesteve on December 17, 2007, 04:18:18 AM
I regret that my source must remain anonymous. That was part of the deal.

to protect who ? the dealer ? the reseller ? the manufacturer ? from too many orders... ?
(s.hit, customer is threatening with an order !)

...I know something you don't know - sounds like peruke-buffoon trains !
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: DKS on December 17, 2007, 06:38:29 AM
What I would really like to know is where did you get the set? We have an army of people scouring the web looking for T Gauge, and nobody has even gotten an email reply from the manufacturer, much less found a source to purchase them?

I hope you can get it going
and regardless, I want one as well !
where did you get it?

I regret that my source must remain anonymous. That was part of the deal.

They fell off the truck...

Nope, no truck. 100% legit storefront seller. Paid full list, too.

to protect who ? the dealer ? the reseller ? the manufacturer ? from too many orders... ?
(s.hit, customer is threatening with an order !)

To protect a private individual who negotiated the transaction on my behalf.

...I know something you don't know - sounds like peruke-buffoon trains !

Sounds more like some frustrated modelers out there. Believe me, I know the feeling, and I wish I could share with everybody, but I am not allowed.

I'm getting hit with emails from other folks looking to get T Gauge from me, but I simply can't become a "dealer" because my source is not a dealer, just a helpful person who trusts that I won't abuse their offer to help me.
Title: Re: Should be receiving T Gauge shortly
Post by: FrankCampagna on December 18, 2007, 12:02:19 PM
It doesn't look worse than some of early N scale. Perhaps, if modelers and the manufacturer persist, it might actually work well. Thanks for the heads up, and thank your source. Frank