TT Scale. The Ideal Scale.

The January 2012 Model Railroader has a new project layout - the Virginian.
This HO scale 4' x 8' layout focuses on coal.

Converted to TT Scale this would be 3' x 6', an eminently transportable size. I transport a 4' x 6' Thomas layout to a local train show so the smaller size would be no problem.

I think this layout has possibilities.
You could use some commercial buildings, all of the B.T.S. buildings would fit. Some need to be scratch built - the various mines. There is a good scenery to track ratio.

A GP-9 or two would do for motive power
As Possum Valley has stopped production of their two-bay coal hopper, obtaining the 20 or so hoppers could be a problem. Perhaps this would be a good subject for a Rapid Prototype model.

Best of all the layout is not too large to complete.

Bill Dixon

Is the rail plan available anywhere online?

ConducTTor wrote:Is the rail plan available anywhere online?

Hi Alex,

Here. It will open with Acrobat reader 9 (or later).
<http://mrr.trains.com/en/How%20To/Track%20Plan%20Database/2011/11/The%20Virginian.aspx>

Bill in FL

Definitely we need some open hoppers in TT!
Maybe somebody can resume the production of hoppers?.. As for me, I'll buy some. ;)
Today I have only 2 - one from PVM, and one from HP. I want more! :)

As for buidings, you can use Auhagen 12266 "Old-time gravel pit".
(It is declared as available on the EuroTrainHobby)

But for the coal layout you need some dump trucks and excavator, am I right?
For the 1950s you can use Russian YaAZ dump truck as Federal Model 65, but it is very rare and hard-to-find.
For the modern era you can use Bruder Mini - they produce Mack trucks in 1:128 scale.

A good plan, but is it really 4' by 8'? Or is it one 4' by 8', plus another 4' by 8' with one side cut off and used for the fiddle yard on the bottom right? I'd be hard put to get it into 4' by 8" in Z scale.

ozman2009 wrote:A good plan, but is it really 4' by 8'? Or is it one 4' by 8', plus another 4' by 8' with one side cut off and used for the fiddle yard on the bottom right? I'd be hard put to get it into 4' by 8" in Z scale.

The basic layout is almost a 4' x 8' in HO scale. In the video they mention that it is a few inches less than 4' wide so it will fit through the office door.

The fiddle yard on the left is an add on, as is the piece on the left. In the video they also mention the possibility of extending the industry on the bottom left onto another shelf to make a small engine terminal.

The layout can be built with out either section but they add a lot to the operation.

Bill Dixon
North Vancouver, BC

[quote="Arseny"]Definitely we need some open hoppers in TT!
Maybe somebody can resume the production of hoppers?.. As for me, I'll buy some. ;)
Today I have only 2 - one from PVM, and one from HP. I want more! :)

I have one Kemtron metal kit. It is very nicely detailed with detail on the inside of the hopper. I have been looking at it to see if it could be easily converted into a resin kit. The complex end makes it a difficult project.

Bill Dixon
North Vancouver, BC

Bill Dixon wrote:I have one Kemtron metal kit. It is very nicely detailed with detail on the inside of the hopper. I have been looking at it to see if it could be easily converted into a resin kit. The complex end makes it a difficult project.

But as I know, the PVM hopper is the same as ex-Kemtron, isn't it?

pvm-ex-kemtron-offset-side-twin-hopper-t1020.html

If so, maybe it will be easier to make a new mold using PVM's work?

Arseny wrote:make a new mold using PVM's work?

A copy of a copy? Watch the movie "Multiplicity".

Arseny wrote:

Bill Dixon wrote:I have one Kemtron metal kit. It is very nicely detailed with detail on the inside of the hopper. I have been looking at it to see if it could be easily converted into a resin kit. The complex end makes it a difficult project.

But as I know, the PVM hopper is the same as ex-Kemtron, isn't it?

pvm-ex-kemtron-offset-side-twin-hopper-t1020.html

If so, maybe it will be easier to make a new mold using PVM's work?

Not having one of these models I do not know what would be involved or whether Possum Valley would let us copy his work.
Does anybody have a PVM hopper that they are willing to part with for a reasonable price so I can pursue the project?

Bill Dixon
North Vancouver, BC