WOW, just about a week until the National Train Show in Portland !! And, no chit-chat . . . yet ! There will be many Z modular and BYOZ at the show. Our space is 80 x 50' ! http://www.nationaltrainshow.org/2015/ntsportland.html
Jeff - I had been thinking of starting something in the N Scale area about the FreeMo-N 4-group layout we will have (Silicon Valley, NLand Pacific, Pacific Northwest and Minnesota). I think we have the 100' x 90' space.
AZL will be there! Come visit us in booth 1317. Expect new item announcement, possibly every day! Also get a preview of the September new items as well as other sneak peaks! See you at the show! Rob Read more: http://azlforum.com/thread/523/come-portland#ixzz3jHdCP7dn
The BAZ BoyZ (San Francisco Bay Area Z) is driving up with 15 modules to join up with 22 modules from ZoCal (Southern California Z scale) to share half of the 80 x 50' space. Oregon and Washington area groups and individuals will take up the other half of the space.
Looks to become a lot of fun! Please don't forget to make some pictures for the overseas followers. ;-)
Well, I just arrived at my Hotel in Portland. I left home at 4AM and arrived at 4PM, long drive took 2 tanks of gas, 4 rest stops and one lunch stop.
Been there since Monday (since it's in my backyard and I can drive in each day ) The clinics have been exceptional this time. I took in one layout tour (never done one before), and was pleasantly surprised at how informative and entertaining it was to go on one of these. I won't be in today, but should be around at the show the rest of the week. I want to attend the sketchup and 3D printing clinic Thursday at 9:30, so if anyone wants to hunt me down, you'll find me there.
Rob and I will get into Portland tomorrow. As mentioned, we will announce new Z items every day during NTS. You can follow the announcements on the AZL forum page: NTS 2015 Portland Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
Well, sorry there are no pictures, but yesterday was a 6 hour setup day and today was a 12 hour setup day. We pulled out at 8PM after finally getting the big Z layout of the BAZ BoyZ and ZoCal operating. Then we went to the Columbia Gorge Railroad Club for Pizza dinner and a swap meet. Steve gave me a tour of the layout, where he has built in some Z Scale amongst a top quality HO Scale layout. I bagged several packs of MTL and Marklin rail joiners on the cheap, and there was lots of Z Scale changing hands. I did a little walking around and seen an awesome N Scale club layout, and just next to that one was a 5 club FremoN layout going up. I'll take pictures tomorrow while it's just NMRA folk, before the public has at it. We are promised real live RAIN Friday and Saturday! I can't wait, I have not seen rain in so long I forgot how it sounds.
Robert, I don't understand what this "rain" stuff you talk about is. I have heard that there may be a strange atmospheric condition occurring where water falls from the sky, on everything. But I would be worried that it will waste a lot. Come check out the FreeMoN layout, and let's meet! I will be over to see Z , too
Another busy day, this time running trains and talking to show goers. Too many pictures taken to post many tonight, and I just got into my hotel room after dinner at Rail Side Brewing with a thirsty crew of Z Scalers, but here are a few shots from the first place module contest winner. Brad Saunders took 1st place with his well executed module, representing Cascade Z Modelers: Brad loaded every scene with detail: When you zoom into a scene, you just see more and more detail, like a full interior of the house with photos of the kids on the wall, and kids playing in the back yard, and more:
Thanks for the pics Rob, I'm always excited when I see one of my kits on a layout , Especially when it is so well transformed like this, Wow! And the layout is stunning.
Yes great pic's and wonderful looking layout. Great job ! Keep sending those great photos for us that didn't make the show. Mgatdog
Late night update. AZL announced SD70ACe's, FP42 passenger sets, Corn Syrup Tank Cars, NP F3 AB Passenger sets, Covered Coil Cars, and ES44's in Z. Rumors of joint venture between Peco and AZL for meter/3 foot lengths of US tie spacing code 55 flex, and undisclosed matching turnouts for you fine scale Z modelers were spread. Walking the layout floor before the crowds arrived we Pano'ed 5 FreeMoN clubs here: We also Pano'ed 7 Z Scale Modular Clubs here: We had our Z Scale Banquet at Widmer Brothers Brewery Company. I don't know, but I think the BAZ BoyZ took most of the raffle winnings, with Matt knocking down 9 wins, Myself with 6 wins, Jeff with 3 wins, and Mickie with 1 raffle win. All the usual suspects were present:
Peco won't do US tie spacing in n-scale, I would be shocked if they would in z-scale. But hey, I would be in line for some if I end up doing more Z after my current layout. I'm excited about the P42's and Superliners...Amtrak equipment is just fun to run and I bet they'll look great. The SD70ACe is also a nice surprise, although probably shouldn't have been, given the comments about Heritage schemes for the ES44's. The F3's and Coil cars are already in play of course. The ES44's, Corn Syrup cars, and unmentioneds including the SD45 and Trincool reefers have already been alluded to before but I'm very glad to hear of them moving forward.
I would be happy if Peco just made roadbed-less turnouts to match their current flex track. Flex and turnouts with US spacing from Peco/AZL, and I am building a new layout! That would be the best news possible for Z. If there is any truth to this rumor, I'm going to start designing a layout now!
