Hello everyone! Over the years it seems as though my trains are getting smaller and smaller. I started as a kid with Lionel 027, HO, N, and about 10 years ago, is when I first saw Z at a train show. They were all Micro-Trains. Soon afterwards I put together my own starter kit with the MTL EMD F7A, F7B dummy car, and freight cars from that vintage. I set up the oval around my computer monitor base on the desk. We recently moved from a house with a full basement to one with very limited space. At this point, I really don't know about a layout, so I set it up on my coffee table. The other day, I came across a Micro train F7B powered in the same road name and color. My B is a dummy! Before I buy it, I wanted to know if it was going to be compatible with the F7A engine that I have running in tandem. I assume that it has the same motor as the F7A, and both are Micro-trains. Thanks, Charlie
Charlie, Welcome. Basically, yes. MTL retooled the F7s a few years ago, in part creating the powered F7B, using the same power train. For my WP releases I found the A (old and new) and B units track quite well. In the retool, they did new shells so there may be slight visual differences from what you have. Hope this helps, Mark
Welcome to Trainboard Charlie, good to see another Z-scaler! Looks like your off to a good start. Looks like your a Pennsylvania fan, your in luck cause there's alot of PRR available from all the Z manufacturers.
Welcome Charlie. I'm contemplating a small z scale circle that will be part of a larger diorama. What's the width of your track layout (i.e. the diameter of the circle without the straight tracks)? Thanks, Pauley BTW, if you click the edit button, you should be able to delete on of the attachments (" View attachment 199588 ").
Hi Pauley, I'm using the Micro-Track #990-40-101 Oval Starter Roadbed track. Without the 2 straight sections it appox. just under 16".
Rokuhan has a vast array of radii. The smallest you could run with those locos (and marginally at best) is 145mm or 5.7 radii (11.4"), center of track. Stick with the 195mm 7.6" radii (~16") or higher.
Thanks. That confirms what I had thought. I am thinking about a circle with a straight turnout to the outside. I was looking at the Rokuhan track and didn't see a turnout that had the same 195 radius and length as a section of curved track (to replace one of the sections). Seems like I may have to "modify" the circle a bit.
Pauley, There are no turnouts in Z that have the same radius as the curve track except for the 490mm/13 degree and 128mm/26 degree complementary curves for all sectional track turnouts and Rokuhan respectively. For what you want to do try looking at the curved turnouts. Otherwise you need a custom sized piece to finish your oval. If you use Rokuhan track, they make a piece of flex track you can customize. Mark
Thanks, Mark. Although I'm still in the initial planning stage, I don't think a curved turnout will work - although things may change as I get closer to finalizing the project. I appreciate your input. Pauley
The Rokuhan flex is interesting, it's built a bit like a Chinese paper dragon. The roadbed sections look pretty good as long as the curve isn't too tight.
Pauley, I forgot to show you my silverware box with the tight radius flex layout when you were here the other day......my bad. Guess you'll just have to come over again to see it.
