JoeS
January 16th, 2005, 08:26 PM
Ok, I think there are some nice locos out there in Z. And I think there have been some nice pictures posted too. Thanks to those who have posted! smile.gif I thought I would just try and compare how the loco's run compared to some of the more common stuff in other scales. So many times people say it runs smooth, or it doesn't stall, or it creeps well, or maybe stalls on the turnouts only. I know this is all a bit subjective. However, it might help someone who is thinking of getting started in Z to choose what loco they might want.
For instance, and this is my opinion only, when I purchased the latest marklin mikado I was really suprised! It has very similar running characteristics to the HO bachman 4-8-4 that I brought I beleive in 1982. It is a much better runner than the old bachman N scale mikado, and beats it in every running comparison. It is not as good a runner as say a spectrum consolidation in N. But it is better than the old pre-spectrum bachman steam.
The micro-trains mogul. I have to say it runs very closely to the N scale bachman 0-6-0 with the slpoe back tender with the improved pickup that has been repacked in the plastic containers. These just came out a few months back. In fact I would say that is a very fair comparison as long as your track and wheels stay clean. Because of the tender pickups in the bachman, it gets the slightest of edges. However, it is a much much better runner hands down, than the old bachman 0-6-0 that came from the cardboard box.
The micro-trains F-7. This is a tough one to compare to. I really don't have an N that I can compare it too. I would have to say in some ways it is rather similar to the old bachman f-units in HO from the early 80's. Remeber those old heavy things that never really stalled and sounded like a grinder and seemed to take on any track condition? Well, that is how my Z f-7 is.
Again, these are my opinions, and mine only, yours may differ. But I thought it might help if I compared what I had to what most people know. At this point, I don't have any Z that runs like a new Atlas or Kato in N. However, I also don't own any of the new AZL stuff which I am told runs just like them. Anyway, if anybody has any other comparisons put them down, as I think this might help those not in Z understand it a little better. Thanks in advance to those who might add!
For instance, and this is my opinion only, when I purchased the latest marklin mikado I was really suprised! It has very similar running characteristics to the HO bachman 4-8-4 that I brought I beleive in 1982. It is a much better runner than the old bachman N scale mikado, and beats it in every running comparison. It is not as good a runner as say a spectrum consolidation in N. But it is better than the old pre-spectrum bachman steam.
The micro-trains mogul. I have to say it runs very closely to the N scale bachman 0-6-0 with the slpoe back tender with the improved pickup that has been repacked in the plastic containers. These just came out a few months back. In fact I would say that is a very fair comparison as long as your track and wheels stay clean. Because of the tender pickups in the bachman, it gets the slightest of edges. However, it is a much much better runner hands down, than the old bachman 0-6-0 that came from the cardboard box.
The micro-trains F-7. This is a tough one to compare to. I really don't have an N that I can compare it too. I would have to say in some ways it is rather similar to the old bachman f-units in HO from the early 80's. Remeber those old heavy things that never really stalled and sounded like a grinder and seemed to take on any track condition? Well, that is how my Z f-7 is.
Again, these are my opinions, and mine only, yours may differ. But I thought it might help if I compared what I had to what most people know. At this point, I don't have any Z that runs like a new Atlas or Kato in N. However, I also don't own any of the new AZL stuff which I am told runs just like them. Anyway, if anybody has any other comparisons put them down, as I think this might help those not in Z understand it a little better. Thanks in advance to those who might add!