Dave the Busker Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 I know a few people have messaged Metcalfe about if they'd ever consider a TT:120 scale range of buildings, and as I understand it the response has been that they've just invested a lot in new equipment for the 00 and N kits and so investing in TT isn't in their immediate future. The N kits I've built for Hollybush actually look mostly a decent fit for TT, with just one exception. The doors on some kits, particularly houses and shops, look just a fraction too short. However, as the kits have door frames that the doors fit into, I've found that printing out some TT scale doors from the print at home download kits I've got from Scalescenes or Wordsworth and fitting them in the N doorway makes it look a much better fit for TT. Do you think Metcalfe might find it more feasible to make an N/TT kit which just has a couple of extra, slightly larger, doors included? Photo: N scale Metcalfe shop with Wordsworth 00 door printed at 63% for TT:120 scale. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunmarc88 Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 @Dave the Busker That’s actually quite a genius idea. If they knew people were doing it they might do a sheet of TT doors? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 (edited) Much as I like Metcalfe kits, if they are not going to support this scale then I will turn to those companies that will. There is growing number of alternative outlets who have invested in laser cutters and are beginning to support the 1:120 scale. We need to support them if the range is to grow. We have got the track gauge to scale after years of compromise with OO and N and I am not giving in on the buildings. Unless I want a false-perspective effect then I'm sorry Metcalfe but I am looking elsewhere or scratch-building. If anyone is fortunate enough to be attending Model World LIVE perhaps they can canvas the exhibitors? Edited April 24 by dBerriff Added missing word. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 (edited) Either that or Dave has created himself a business empire! That’s a very good idea, the doorways are always the bit that gives away scale. I move mine a bit further away but Dave’s idea is brilliant 👍 @dBerriff I fully appreciate that but Metcalfe do have a great range of really nice kits and their N scale stuff is oversize for even British N, on some buildings is very very close to 120 😁 Edited April 24 by Rallymatt Extra info 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 (edited) I was careful to say I like Metcalfe kits and we will most likely add a Metcalfe castle to our layout. I will personally look for suppliers positively supporting this scale. If Metcalfe N-gauge is that much over-scale then they will be included. 👍 Edited April 24 by dBerriff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave the Busker Posted April 24 Author Share Posted April 24 I don't get the impression that Metcalfe are in any way negative about TT, just that it's not something they can make a business case for at the moment. Of course, that does leave the door open for others and if someone does come in with more kits as good as theirs in TT scale then I'll be looking at them too. The Metcalfe kits I've got so far look very much in keeping with the scale of everything else on my layout, but I had this thought about the door today so I thought I'd share. A nice and simple bit of kit modding to make them even more suitable. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulsanne88 Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 I have now invested in a few laser kits from Inthegreenwood laser They are probably not for beginners but they do make up into really nice buildings for tt. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 @Mulsanne88 snap, 2 of their signal boxes and the twin towers of Ant & Dec are theirs. @Dave the Busker I am getting the idea ‘Busker Buildings’ for the taller gent…… 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishmail Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 (edited) Just to give an idea of diferance betwen N and TT 1:120 here is a pic of TT 120 scale rule on a N gauge rule. Though not an exact science, it shows 6' in N scale is approx 5' in TT. I like the idea of overlaying the doors on the N metcalfe kits. The TT rule I printed of the Scalescenes website using the 00 one at 63%. Edited April 24 by Irishmail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skelton Junction Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 1 hour ago, Mulsanne88 said: I have now invested in a few laser kits from Inthegreenwood laser They are probably not for beginners but they do make up into really nice buildings for tt. I’ve several of them and very pleased. Oh, and the whiff of burning when the box is first opened …. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 The BBQ smell makes me hungry 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave the Busker Posted April 24 Author Share Posted April 24 The Greenwood kits look really good, but painting isn't something I'm very skilled at so the printed kits like Metcalfe are more suited to me. On the subject of Metcalfe being over scale for N, here's one I'm working on tonight. The building on the left is a Wordsworth 00 kit made at 63% for TT:120 scale, the one on the right is Metcalfe N. The first floor windows more or less line up exactly on both. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 The painting aspect is a very good point from Dave. Some surfaces work ok with a paint wash but the individual brick/stone prints from Metcalfe are good and represent the majority of buildings. Very interesting to see the comparison of window heights with Metcalfe N and rescaled OO. The change in roof height is aesthetically pleasing though 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulsanne88 Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 With the greenwood kits I have made , I give the finished building (excluding roofs) a run over with grey primer to seal it, then paint the exterior walls/ window frames then glaze/ interior details and finally paint and fit roofs and final painting details When finished they can look as good as the Hornby resin offerings 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dBerriff Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 Lots of useful information here - thank you. I will order a couple of N-gauge Metcalfe kits to try now I know they are oversized. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postman On The Rails Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 I have a few bits from In The Greenwood built the oxbow bridge and platform straights got a water tower to build and then buying some relief buildings for the back of the layout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 Just a tip regarding any buildings; if you intend to illuminate them I find planning that in in the build phase very helpful and I will make small enclosed rooms to contain light so that one led doesn’t light every window, and with low relief I add a floor and a back (not all kits have them. It’s also a good idea to seal the walls and roof with some paint to prevent light bleed. Essential on Resin, wood too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunmarc88 Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 @Mulsanne88 what primer would you recommend? I’m likely to do the Peco kits so I think I’ll need some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 I know you have asked @Mulsanne88 but I use a regular acrylic spray primer on most things. It’s a good base and works well on most surfaces. Humbrol one isn’t the cheapest but it covers well and dries matt, some cheap ones don’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritInVanCA Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 People who follow this subject are probably tired of hearing me say this but I’ve used Metcalfe for tunnel entrances and retaining walls. The tunnels definitely needs some width/height extensions for TT120. My layout won’t have a large number of buildings so I’m using Hornby and Peco at the moment. It would be good to see the latest Hornby village buildings against some of the Metcalfe ones. I’ve heard comments that the Hornby ones look a little small. I wonder how much difference there really is. @Dave the Buskerlike the door hack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 @BritInVanCA the tunnel mouths are just too tight in unmodified form for TT:120, the other one is the footbridge kit but that’s not their best in any event. There are much better footbridges available 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby11 Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 Auhagen do TT tunnel mouths, I use them on my H0e layouts as H0e locos are about the same size as TT ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie 66 Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 I've been using a mix of TT and N gauge low profile for backscene work. The n gauge is close enough to enhance forced perspectives quite nicely. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunmarc88 Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 23 hours ago, Rallymatt said: I use a regular acrylic spray primer on most things. It’s a good base and works well on most surfaces. Thanks for that, I was hoping a spray would be recommended. Will grab some. I seems like I need a lot to get going, next step will be getting GWR colour paints and decent glues. Once I’ve got it all I really hope I enjoy the kits 😅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 Getting the bits together can be a bit of effort and some expense but then you find as you do more modelling, you keep going back to the same things and so the cost is spread over a lot of enjoyment. I find rocket card glue best for Metcalfe kits and superglue on the laser cut wood ones. If you check out big craft stores like Hobby Craft and general hardware places you can often get better deals on things that more specialised shops, but always check out their prices too, there can be bargains😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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