T gauge


T gauge is a model railway scale with a track gauge of, referred to as "three-millimeter gauge" or "third of N scale." It was introduced at the Tokyo Toy Show in 2006 by KK Eishindo of Japan and went on sale in 2007. It is the smallest commercial model train scale in the world. Since mid-2009, Railway Shop has been the exclusive licensed manufacturer.
File:Vergleich N Z Ze T.jpeg|thumb|Models at N, Z, Ze and T gaugesThe models are battery-powered by a throttle at a maximum output of 4.5 V DC. To improve power pickup and tractive effort, the powered cars are fitted with magnetic wheels.
The first train released was the Japanese 103 series commuter train in different versions. Each standard train set comes with two powered cars, which are located in the middle of the train. The front and rear cars are equipped with directional headlights. The tiny pantographs are made of etched stainless steel. The Hankyu Railway 9000 EMU Series and the Kiha 40 DMU were added to the line of available trainsets in early 2010 and feature improved mechanisms for better performance.
The track is offered as either flexible sections of rail and sleepers at, or as rigid sections with roadbed, and a small selection of pieces without roadbed. Rigid curved track is available with four different radii:, in 15° and 30° arc lengths; straight tracks are long. Points are available in a single length, right and left-hand, with manual or electric throw. Diamond crossings are made at 30° and 90° angles in a 60mm length. Several miscellaneous track sections are also sold including power, isolating, and level grade crossing. The standard sectional track is "roadbed" style, with integrated ballast, or without roadbed as "fine scale". The rail is approximately high. Track pieces are connected with gold-plated metal rail joiners plus plastic clips in the roadbed. Different types of dummy catenary masts can be attached to the track.
One side effect of the magnetic wheels of the powered units is that they can climb acute grades as steep as 45 degrees.