Is N and Z Scale More the focus here at the TrainBoard?

Ashpit Mar 20, 2020

  1. Ashpit

    Ashpit TrainBoard Member

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    I have noticed a leaning towards N and Z Scales here at the TrainBoard. Am I Imagining things; or, is the slant real? If so, I applaud that N Scale and Z Scale can have a devoted place to discuss their merits and modeling tips for these wonderful scales.

    Just wondering?
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  2. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    There are dedicated forums for N and Z, yes, but there's also dedicated forums for other scales, garden scale down to T scale (1:480). We have active modelers in all the scales, but N and Z seem to have the lion's share of them. We recently in the last year or so added T scale, due to increased demand. It also has forums for 12"=1' scale railroading from across the globe.
     
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  3. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'll second what Hemi said. I'm an N scaler so a bit biased but I do enjoy reading all the post in other scales and have even learned a few things that way. :)
     
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  4. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    I have to say, I look at just about every Forum on here, except the HO one......:unsure:
     
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  5. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    We encourage all scales to participate. The very active N-scale forum was, though, what brought me here 11 years ago.
     
  6. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    There are a lot of N Scalers here, however I love looking at all of the different scale models here.
     
  7. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett TrainBoard Member

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    I was about the same thing as bremner, you can learn new skills by looking at all of the scales. Love the photos and/or videos that are in many build thread post.

    Joe
     
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  8. sidney

    sidney TrainBoard Member

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    Exatly . i look at all scales too. never no ya might find something cool to add or build
     
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  9. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    I learned how to peel paint off of a wooden model from a European who models the Rio Grande in HOn3....
     
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  10. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    Ditto to all. :)
     
  11. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    I have been here 20 years this month, (Wow, can't believe it!). Trainboard has attracted a nice contingent of N-scale modelers and Z-scalers as of late. I feel like the HO traffic has been down for quite some time, but other places tend to be overwhelmingly dominated by HO and On30 modelers, such as MRH forums.

    It isn't anybody's fault, as forum activity is user-driven and tends to be cyclical. I haven't contributed much myself, but I've torn down my last layout 2 years ago and everything has been boxed up since then. If I had a question or needed help with track planning, I picked up the phone and called a friend or took my plan with me to an operating session.

    I will strive to contribute more in the HO forum in the future, but it may be a while before that happens (6-9 months).
     
  12. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    It's sure Z scale is more dynamic here than in Model Railroader...:LOL:

    Dom
     
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  13. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I think there is a big difference in the way HO and O vs N and Z Scalers model too.

    As an example, someone posted on a popular multi scale forum, that they wanted to get into static grass, but could not afford the applicator. I had just built my static grass applicator from an $3.99 electronic flyswatter, and recommended it, then all H#!! broke loose as dozens of people started shooting down the electronic flyswatter as being too wimpy, and that they need to build it with a $20 high voltage module so it would actually make the static grass stand up.

    My wimpy flyswatter static grass applicator works great, and the grass stand up just fine, but then I heard their complaints. They are trying to use 7 to 12mm static grass, where I use 2mm and 4mm. My wimpy applicator probably won't pull up 12mm fibers, however 12mm fibers are a scale 8.5 feet tall in Z, so I would never have a use for grass and weeds that tall. I tuck tail, and run back to the safety of Trainboard's Z forum, never to contribute there again.

    Point being, having your own scale forum means you won't be shot down for offering options that don't work for them, although they work absolutely fantastic for you.
     
  14. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    rray, good points. If I may brag a little, my "grass" is grass colored cardstock. Very short application time. Looks reasonably good according to my very loose standards. :) Your previous experience about the static device is a good learning point. We all have to learn what works for us. In life and in our hobby. Hopefully, the learning will be fun and interesting. We always need to be learning. Makes strong brains. And who doesn't need a strong brain? These forums keep me looking up. I may miss the mark, but at least I have an idea where it is. Lots of excellent craftsmanship on here. Everyone stay well. (y)
     
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  15. RailMix

    RailMix TrainBoard Member

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    Hey, how does that applicator work with 7 mm static grass? That's about as large as I would probably use in HO scale (almost exactly 2 feet).
     
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  16. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    It works with 7mm grass, as I have applied some, but you have to hold the applicator about 10-15mm above the surface, and let the fibers somewhat stabilize before moving the applicator. This keeps the fibers standing straight up in the charged field while letting the glue skin up and hold the fibers. The other catch is you can only apply a small area of about 6" x 6" at a time.

    What I like is Summer grass. I like to apply some 2mm yellow or brown grass, then go over it with a lightly applied slightly greener shade of 4mm, then an even more lightly applied even darker green of 4mm grass. The effect is most of the grass looks like it died in the heat of summer, with a few stronger living grass blades growing taller.

    Also of important note... Harbor Freight gets stocked with 2 different swatters that look the same. One uses AA batteries, and one uses D batteries. Get the D battery model. It maintains a stronger charge field.
     
  17. RailMix

    RailMix TrainBoard Member

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    OK, I just learned something from a Z scale modeler. Thanks much.
    On the topic of different thought processes associated with different scales, I w ould say that's definitely true. The smaller scales, N and Z in particular, lend themselves to modeling larger yards and engine facilities, larger industries and long main lines for operating long trains, things not as easy to achieve in larger scales.
    Things like interior detailing are easier in larger scales, although they are definitely possible in smaller scales, as witnessed by Sven's posts here on Trainboard. Myself, I will stay with HO, both because it lends itself to the things I like about model railroading and because, hey, I'm getting older and I just can't see as well as I could back in the day.
    Bottom line? Everyone is different. This hobby has something for just about everyone.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2020
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  18. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    RailMix, I agree. When I was younger I had two N scale layouts but then moved 100 miles north to a smaller house and my eyes and hand got worse. So when I sold my trailer house went to renting I let my much younger brother take all the N and went to HO. Now l'm thinking of going back to N because of space. I would like to see T scale. What it's like. Were I could get components.
     
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