I wish Z scale was more estabilished

[Fluid Dynamics]

Most Z layouts I have seen pictures of tend to be like N layouts and HO layouts: the object of the layout is to get some operation possibility in a modest space. I have a strange perspective in model railroading in that I like main line scenic passes that look prototypical.

Even in N scale it is hard to set up something even half as vast as a prototypical scene without using 40" curve radii. Z scale could capture the subtle flowing nature of real trackage and prototypical train lengths in a normal sized room.

So, Z scalers, got any speculation as to when Z scale will have more options for locomotives, rolling stock, track, etc.? I would switch to Z with no regrets if I could buy in Z what I already do in N scale for a similar price.

[Stourbridge Lion]

Most likely a SUpply and Demand issue. Since we don't find what we can in N & HO we tend not to buy much Z so they in turn don't make much Z. The good old Catch 22 problem. I too would buy more Z if they had more D&H items to purchase but that is a vary rare roadname in Z so it's hard to get excited about Z these days.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[BoxcabE50]

Actually there has been quite a bit of Z stuff becoming available the last couple of years. We have an active Z scaler here. Robert, (Pray59), who keeps really busy with his job. But maybe he'll see this.

There is a ZBendtrack modular concept. And there is also even Z Scale Magazine.

So it is growing. But too small for my eyes and ever shakier hands.

:D

Boxcab E50

[Stourbridge Lion]

Don't get me wrong, I like Z scales size as it does have it's place but so far this is my total D&H collection of Z Scale just becuase they just are not made like other scales so it's hard to build a layout without being good at scratch building which I'm not.

Micro Trains#13503-2
http://www.trainweb.org/dhvm/images/models/Micro-Trains/22169.jpg

[Alan]

I have been asked if I will make Z scale spine cars. I think they would be do-able, but wonder if the market volume would make it worthwhile?

[pray59]

I would buy about 10 spine cars if you made them. To give you an idea of what Z Scalers will buy... I made 40 Centerbeam car kits, and sent them to Chuck at FRTS one morning, and when I walked in the door after work the phone rang, and chuck had presold 50 more. I have sold a couple hundred.

However the Z Scale NP caboose kit only sold 25 and NYC kit only sold about 20.

These are all Craftsman Kits mind you, and anything ready to run should sell more. Also, I don't advertise because I'm as busy as I can stand with my day job, so I could never keep up with demand.

Microtrains sold out of their first run of well cars in 2 days when they were released last summer.

If you want to make the spine cars, be sure to post on the Yahoo z-scale list to fish for interest. I hope you make them, because the more Z Scale products available meand the more converts to Z.

Everyone seems to like Z, but the lack of NA prototype models scares people into other scales. By next Christmas there will be several new models from AZL and Microtrains available, as well as a new NA track system. The Z Scale list is up to 1300 people now, so there is interest in Z. :D

[Alan]

Thanks for the encouragement Robert smile.gif I am awaiting some Microtrains trucks so I can figure out height, etc. for truck mounts before I plan any masters. No-one over here appears to stock trucks, so I have some on back-order :(

[EDModels]

Alan, I have a few extra unopened packages of Z-scale MTL roller bearing trucks. I would be more than willing to send you a set if this will help expeidite things.

I have a good feeling you would do quite well in the Z scale market. Especially with the quality you produce!

Contact me offline...
eric@ericmenzel.com or eric@edmodels.com

[Alan]

Eric, email sent ;)

[Fluid Dynamics]

The Z scale market is wide open. Maybe I should start up and produce SD40-2's, the standard 80s diesel that everybody loves.

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by Fluid Dynamics:
The Z scale market is wide open. Maybe I should start up and produce SD40-2's, the standard 80s diesel that everybody loves. The SD40-2 is already avaiulable in Z! Made by American Z Lines.

:D

Boxcab E50

[pray59]

Whatever locomotive you make in Z will sell, but the guy who makes GP's of any flavor starting with 7's and 9's will clean house.

If you make a 44 tonner in Z, you will probably need to start with an initial run of 500 pieces, as such a tiny gem would sell out before people even heard they were available.

Every new model released helps establish Z as a serious modelers scale.

Z Scale... The last frontier in model trains, as it has all been done in the other scales already. tongue.gif

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by pray59:
Z Scale... The last frontier in model trains, as it has all been done in the other scales already. tongue.gif Robert-

Isn't there a smaller scale? Something like 1:400?

Just think of the possibilities if somebody perfected Zn2! You could build the entire Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes, or Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington, in a basement.

:D

Boxcab E50

[Fluid Dynamics]

Hmm, I'll keep an eye on the Z market when I get out of engineering school. I've been looking for a basement business plan for the coming years - something I could start on the side while holding a boring engineering job.

First off, is there any alternative to the code 80 track you guys use? That size rail looks bad in N, and in Z it's just out of whack! (IMO) How about some nice # 10 turnouts, or some curved ones? There has to be a way to make the tooling and contract out the plastic injection moulding.

[EDModels]

I'm using Code 40 rail... And I'm making #10 turnouts as well.

http://www.ericmenzel.com/images/zscale/zstuff.jpg

Here is my 9' x 5' layout so far...

http://www.ericmenzel.com/images/zscale/dec23.jpg
http://www.ericmenzel.com/images/zscale/dec23-yard.jpg

I have alot more of the 14,400 ties yet to lay. I also have to finish up the 2 layer bench work so I can start mounting these sections. Then it's turnout placement, soldering the rail, airbrushing the track, ballast, etc, etc, etc... graemlins/yippie.gif

[Alan]

Eric that is going to be one heck of a layout! Those turnouts look superb graemlins/notworthy.gif

[BoxcabE50]

I agree with Alan! Please post up more as you progress!

:D

Boxcab E50

[HemiAdda2d]

Wow! All handlaid!
Yikes! And I thought it was hard to lay c60 Z flextrack....

[r_i_straw]

So far I have one turnout made for my Nn3 layout. I plan on using Peco Z scale flex track and make my own turnouts. I hope mine just work and will not worry if they look kind of goofy at first. I just can't see paying the prices for Marklin and the other manufacturers.

[ztrack]

Darren,

I couldn't help but notice your are a D&H fan. I am not sure if you know of this Z beauty, but I though you might be interested:

http://www.ztrack.com/AZL/azl_pas/azl_pa_dh.jpg

Also, a company, FR in Germany makes D&H 2 bay hoppers.

Rob Kluz

[Alan]

Oooh! That should tempt him graemlins/223.gif

[Mike Sheridan]

Tempts ME. And I'm not a D&H fan smile.gif

[Stourbridge Lion]

graemlins/222.gif graemlins/222.gif graemlins/222.gif graemlins/222.gif graemlins/222.gif

[Kurt Moose]

Patience is a virtue, or somethin' like that. :rolleyes: I can remember even in the early 90's, N-scale was about the same as Z today. It was hard finding Milwaukee anything back then! Now I see that MT is now painting F-units in Milwaukee Road schemes! graemlins/222.gif

[ztrack]

Milwaukee Road you say? How about an SD45 from American Z Lines? Also, Märklin produced an F7 for Milwaukee Rd as well as a steam set. Very nice trains indeed. The Marklin F7 was a different version than MT's current one. Interesting enough, the Milwaukee Rd. has a large following in the Z community. I know of two Z modelers in Euope modeling the Milwaukee. One actually modified and repainted an AZL UP E8 to the Milwaukee. It looks great!

http://www.ztrack.com/AZL/AZL_SD45/SD45_MILW.jpg

- Rob Kluz

[brian]

I think Z scale is about 10 years behind N scale, but it is catching up fast. The good thing is that it looks like Z scale is going to skip what I call the "J" class days that N scale had. They don't sell to many z scale trainsets with the typical N scale poor quality "trainset" loco. If somebody is getting into Z they know what they want, and are willing to pay for that quality. Some day I may look into getting into Z scale. Imagine Z in the same 20 x 20 space as my N scale layout! Were talking five or six levels as apposed to the three now, must keep same isle space of course.

Brian

[ztrack]

Brian,

You are correct. There are NO poor running locomotives in Z scale. They are all of high quality. Of course, the prices do reflect this. Of course, it is also a great thing! For instance, the SD45 above can pull upwards of 40 cars. Now that is a sight! Wow, 20' x 20', that is nearly a mile x mile in Z. Any prototype short line you would like to model... too scale?

Rob Kluz

[pray59]

Hi Rob, I'm going to test out my SD-45's pulling power this weekend.

http://raybob.boche.net/projects/images/p900f.jpg

On another note, It seems like the Z-Bend Track movement is really picking up steam. This winter there have been a couple ZBT clubs formed, and lots of talk about modules.

What is happening here, is the equivalent of the N Trak movement of 15 years ago, where clubs started popping up everywhere.

It's a good time to get into Z graemlins/wink.gif

-Robert

[ztrack]

Robert,

Have fun testing those two beauties. I think you will be amazed. AZL is my choice for running during shows. Good stuff with lots of power.

Incidently, I have 1 one AZL's Rio Grande SD40T-2. I found out they are running these locos in Ohio. There is a short line that has purchased them and still has it in the original Rio Grande paint scheme.


You are right. All the clubs are a huge boost to Z scale. I am loving it!

[shamoo737]

Rob, those SD45's doesn't look that much bigger than th F59-PHI. Will they go through the same curves. I have a small layout with sharp curves, and I would love to have one if could run it.

[pray59]

We ran trains today on our first GATS showing. The AZL SD45's and SD40-2's that we ran, ran fine on the inside track's through a 9" radius without uncoupling for 3-4 hours, then some little kid snapped a coal hopper off the tracks and derailed the train. It was funny because it was Jim Manley's train, and he was watching because instinct told him that kid was like a cobra ready to strike. haha!

I am very pleased with the AZL brass locos.

We ran my AZL Sounder for a coupple hours on the outside loop, and again, flawless operation.

Z was a hit at the show, with a constant stream of people coming by and asking questions. :D

-Robert

[shamoo737]

We need pictures of the show Robert. They are our eyes to the show.

[ztrack]

The SD45s and SD40s are similar in length to the F59PHIs. The big difference is the three axle trucks of the SDs, compared to the two axle of the F59PHI. All AZL's have been designed to go through 195mm curves (Marklin 8520s). We usually suggest the 220mm curves (8530s), but the smaller will work.

Robert... That is great! Sounds like you had a wonderful first outing. Kids at shows and derailments are very common. Cattle prods help with crowd control ;)

- Rob Kluz

[JoeS]

Sounds great! I'd love to see some pictures myself. By the way Robert, on your recomendation, I have a NP pacific on the way Tuesday! I can't wait.

[pray59]

If you ask any of the guys in our modular group, they will all swear by the 4-6-2 as being the best running Marklin American steamer. They pull pretty good too!.

I'll post some pictures during the week of our first GATS show. I'm beat, but it was well worth it.

-Robert :D

[Kurt Moose]

Yes, pictures please!! graemlins/222.gif graemlins/222.gif

[pray59]

I'm uploading them by FTP right now...

-Robert :D