It is surprising that TT-gauge railway modelling is not far more popular that it is currently. Although it is already possibly the third most popular scale, many rail modellers do not seem to have caught on to it being the only one that directly matches a popular size in the scale modelling and wargames hobby.

That match of TT-gauge = 1:100 = 18mm (false 15mm) scale provides this size with the broadest possible range of compatible models, yet TT-gauge seems popular only in the UK and US. True it does not have the impact of larger scales (neither does 15mm wargaming) but it still delivers extremely attractive layouts and plenty of scope for extremely detailed modelling.

Additionally, the easy to compute 1:100 scale ratio makes model building a much easier task when working from scratch. However the other method of scaling (3mm = 1 foot/12 inches) may be less easy for some to work with – I know I prefer true-scale 15mm scratch building at the required 2.5mm per foot for that scale.

In recent years, home design and manufacture businesses appear to have caught the TT bug – I’ve seen a slow but steady emergence of home producers advertising in this scale, which is how the wargames trade became as large as it is today, and this growth of supplier base is to be encouraged and supported.

(page incomplete – more to follow)