Talking T Gauge

JohnDMJ · Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hampshire - UK

Has anyone had experience of running a demonstration oval of T Gauge at an exhibition yet (apart from Claude Drefuss and myself)?

I'm wondering if there is any data for the running life of these tiny motors.

After one day of spasmodic operation (only on when someone was taking interest), three emus are already showing signs of wear and derailments seem to be ever more frequent.

Also, has anyone else experienced the standard couplings falling out? OK, relatively easy, with the right tools, to re-insert, but an unintentional way of proving that there are two power cars when the coupling holding them together falls out of one (two incidents so far!)

All experiences welcome

J

David K Smith · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject:

I've not done amy marathon running, so I can't speak from experience on motor life. I have had problems with couplers falling out and derailments.
_________________
—David

http://www.t-gauge.net/
http://1-450.blogspot.com/

TBA · Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 120 Location: Massachusetts

Are these sets engineered as toys or are they well-designed? Quality control issues?

I was just surprized to read of the problems some have been having here with the motors/drives, and the couplers falling out already.

Actually, I can't imagine giving a set to a child, so it would be an odd choice for a toy. Very Happy

Any guesses as to how big the production runs are? The prices suggest high production numbers, yet sets and accessories regularly sell out from the few sources available.

And who the heck is Eishindo anyway? Smile

I'd never heard of them prior to the release of T. I don't recall their website telling much of their history, if they have one.

David K Smith · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:45 am Post subject:

Eishindo has been around a while. They started out making ships and naval miniatures, I believe.

As for what T is meant to be, I think the best word is "novelty." Just my opinion, mind you, but the Japanese seem to get get hooked on trends, and this may be one of them. Engineered slightly better than a typical toy, but nothing anywhere near a "serious" model, like Tomix or Kato.
_________________
—David

http://www.t-gauge.net/
http://1-450.blogspot.com/

DanMacK · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject:

Novelty is a good way to decribe it, but bear in mind that's what Z gauge was when it was introduced.

I don't see T becoming a mainstream modeling scale, but for a large ratio of trains to scenery and the cost (2 locos and 2 cars for $50), you can't go wrong.

The 9000's are more expensive and appear more detailed. Possibly they're also more "model" quality? Be interesting to see.
_________________
Regards,
Dan MacKellar

David K Smith · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject:

Claude_Dreyfus · Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 12 Location: West Sussex - UK

I would tend to agree that it is unlikely T gauge will be anything more than a fringe scale, as no matter what advances are made, it is just too small for most people.

That said, both John and myself had much positive feed-back about the models when giving our demonstrations at the weekend, at a show that mainly drew modelling 'lay persons' as opposed to the more 'serious' enthusiast.

The feed-back we both received tended to suggest sets would be purchased for novelty value, as an entertaining diversion to someones predominant scale - although there also seemed to be interest from the gadget fiends as well. This is helped in no small measure by the reletively low cost of a cicuit of track and a 103 unit.....presently less than either an N or 00 gauge starter set.

I do feel that as more models are developed so the reliability will improve, as will the weight ratio of the stock to reduce the number of times a unit will fly off the track. I also feel there is a public appetite for T Gauge, and it is certainly something well worth pursuing.

Interestingly, we were invited to give a T Gauge demonstration at a show in a few weeks time....a show dedicated to G Gauge Shocked

. Sadly neither of us could make this.....

dennrom · Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Ohio

Hi all,
I'm new to this site. I had the opportunity to run at an exhibition on Saturday the 4th. My T Gauge set ran flawlessly all day, about 5 hours almost non stop. I used a set of batteries. I had two derailments, one due to speed on a curve early on and the other some one helped it to derail. I had no problems all day.

All folks were impressed at the tiny size and how well it ran. It was fun to see six or seven people crowded around a 14 inch loop watching. There were a lot of double takes when people spotted the tiny train running. The reversing directional lights were just frosting for the performance. No one could read the writing on the side or end. I suppose several hundred people saw it run. I even had to be impressed how well it ran all day.

Dennis
_________________
Dennis

ntpntpntp · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 3 Location: South East England

I had my T set on display over the last weekend here in the UK at our club show in Folkestone. Didn't run it continuously but it was going for a lot of the time both days, with no problems apart from needing to clean the track and wheels a couple of times.

I had it running on my "Loco Doctor" table, alongside examples of Z, N, TT, OO/HO & O, and folk were clearly intrigued by the small size and at how cheap the stuff is.

I would agree with the comments that, quality-wise, T is more toy-like than precision model. But it works and it's fun!

Nick

JohnDMJ · Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hampshire - UK

I must have gotten two duff sets then.

I had the Osaka Loop and Hanwa Line sets running on my two concentric ovals, not continuously but only when someone wanted a demo or I saw that they'd overlooked the exhibit altogether - the units' distinct sound had several people looking round to see what was making the noise.

The track was cleaned regularly and I went through four sets of batteries, thinking they might have gone flat. (my dvm later proved they hadn't!)

By the end of Saturday 4th Oct (day 1) both sets were one power car down. I'd also introduced Claude_Drefus' set to 'spread the duty'.

Sunday, I ran CD's set and the working halves of my two coupled as one on the same duty until both of mine refused to go any further. I then removed CD's power cars to one loop and the driving trailers to the other so that both movement and directional lights could be demonstrated without risking the drivers derailing as they had started to do more frequently during the session!

The weekend also proved how robust the track power connectors are NOT! Just transferring one to the wheel cleaner has caused it to break!

As soon as I get opportunity, I shall test my two sets and see if I can coax some life out of them. Results will, obviously, be posted for your information!

Generally, it seems that last weekend was a good one for T gauge layouts at exhibitions in the UK! Just think of the business we could have generated!

J

pray59 · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 88 Location: Fremont, CA

Our Z Bend Track club had 3 members bring T Gauge to the GTE show a couple weeks ago.

About 3000 people seen T Gauge for the first time. We ran them on and off for 2 days, but never more than an hour at a time without turning them off. I think one of Chris's locos dies, but mine kept running fine.

We used the delay stop mode on a loop, where the train makes one loop, delays 3-4 seconds, and reverses.

Charlie had brought a double track layout he built, but did not run his.

I would suspect these trains might only be good for up to 40 hours total running before failure, as that is what I read the maximum life the housefly type mini airplanes get before the motors burn out, using the same 4mm motors.

Also, I found that the gearbox must be clean and lubricant free for good running. Just 1 tiny particle and the loco stops running.
_________________
-Robert Ray

michael · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

Pity - I hope the 40 hrs estimation is wrong. Would be a total disappointment to have hours of modeling effort undercut by a limited life span...
_________________
Michael
www.tgauge.ca
www.modelrailroader.ca

Dampflok · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:47 am Post subject:

Like Michael, I will be most disappointed it MTBF is just 40 hours. If my trains arrive in time, I shall show them in Elgin next month. Potentially that is 14 hours maximum plus some time the previous night to check all is OK.

I'm wondering, can the controller be supplied from an external DC power (4.5V?) supply?

All the best,
Chris.
_________________
Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/

David K Smith · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

Dampflok · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

Thanks David. I will look through my vast stock of redundant power plugs to see I can find anything suitable.

Best wishes,
Chris.
_________________
Chris from off the west coast of Scotland
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/