The origins of TT and The Tri-ang TT range 1958-64. Part #1

TT gauge had it’s heyday in the 1950’s and 1960’s. However production had ceased by 1965.

TT gauge has a track width of 12MM and is half-way between N gauge and OO gauge.

Although the original Tri-ang TT gauge range was short-lived Hornby have now released a new range of TT products.

The origins of TT gauge

TT gauge began in the U.S.A. just after WW II. when Harold Joyce formed The company. H.P products. The first release was an EMC E6 locomotive, followed by an 0-6-0 switcher. They were substantially built with a brass chassis and wheels.

The EMC E6 was a Diesel locomotive, built between 1939 and 1942. Steam locomotives soon followed. Interestingly, they used the same drive mechanism, in several different configurations, as Tri-ang were to do later.

In 1949, the Challenger was added to the range. This was an ambitious model for the time and sold for $85.00.

TT began to go out of favour in the mid 1960’s, when both H.P. and Tri-ang ceased production. however TT remained popular in Europe.

Tri-ang begins TT production.

Tri-ang began TT production in 1958 and the range gradually grew. A few other manufacturers started to support the scale with Superquick releasing a few die-cut card kits in 1960.

Part 2 will look at the modern reincarnation of TT Gauge and the last days of Tri-Ang TT.