T-gauge is the smallest working model train scale, with 3mm-wide track. There are smaller-scale miniature trains, like the novelty TY-scale, but they do not run on actual track, merely drive belts, and are considered more novelty than practical scales to work with.
T-gauge was introduced by a Japanese company, Eishindo, and it is possible that other companies will soon begin producing T-gauge trains.
ADVANTAGES:
Scenery options: T-gauge, at 1:450, matches perfectly with model ships and model airports that are at 1:400 or 1:500 scale, meaning that scenery from companies like Herpa can easily be used with T-gauge sets. While scenery options are limited at this scale compared to Z-scale, N-scale, or HO-scale, there are a reasonably large number of options available for T-scale train layouts.
Compact size: While not extremely tiny, compelling and complete T-gauge layouts can easily be placed inside a briefcase or on the surface of a small coffee table,meaning that they do not require much area to build or display.
Electromagnetic properties: T-gauge has the unique ability to climb at angles of up to 45 degrees, allowing for extreme vertical inclines in a T-gauge train layout. No other model train scale can do this.
Relatively inexpensive: Smaller scales, in general, require less material to build, and the price of a basic T-gauge track layout is fairly reasonable at 5.00. There is no reason why a nice-looking T-gauge layout could not be achieved for under 0 - when a similar layout would require thousands of dollars at some larger scales.
Here are some links to popular T-gauge resources:
http://www.t-gauge.net/
http://www.tgauge.co.uk/
http://www.hobbiesplus.com.au/t_gauge_.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCjyibdCyuE&feature=related
http://www.trainaidsa.com/shop-tgauge.shtml
http://www.herpa.de/
There are also some 3mm scale buildings available at 3d printing company Shapeways.
www.shapeways.com
All said, it's an interesting scale to work with, and you can have some fun with it despite the limitations of such a small modelling scale.
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