Robert, well put! There is no doubt that Z scale is growing. The push is operators. We have seen quite a few N scalers take the switch. Why? Because Z scale afford more in a smaller space. What other scale can you run 100 car train in your spare bedroom and still have space for a couch? Yes, the manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and committing more to Z scale. Micro-Trains alone with the GP35, track and possible new piece of rolling stock will be a driving force. AZL is continuing to make a huge investment in Z. Yes, the injection molded SD70s are in preproduction. We will also see a brass AC-12 mid year from AZL. Plus, just wait to see what they have in store for 2006! One of the criticism of Z was the lack of locos and rolling stock. This is quickly changing and I only see Z scale continuing to grow as more choices are made available. -Rob Kluz
Rob, welcome to Trainboard There is even talk of a Z scale meet here in the UK with 15 layouts! I will be producing Z spine cars, and am looking for suggestions of other items of stock which would be suitable for casting in pewter. Z does seem to be buzzing lately
I might as well chime in here too . . . Z could be an emerging market that could really take off if a company started up and made code 40 track and compatible Kato style modern locos for ~$100 each. A decent sized production run could get the cost down if one would be willing to wager six figures into the next GP40, SD40-2, etc. Seriously, locos are simple. As an engineering student I can assure that the mechanisms of succesful N locomotives are elegant and simple, and have been refined to be cheap and easy to manufacture compared to the plastic frame locos of the 70s. I'll keep my eye on this field of the hobby, because people will model in Z if it becomes affordable. Look at the cost of housing! N was like Z is now, 30 years ago. Just think, one of us could be the next Atlas or Kato. Back on topic, I would convert my layout to Z if there were a few more affordable modern locos available, and a more realistic track than code 80. The surfliner and F59PHI sets that are soon to come out almost have me ready to make the switch, but the track issue is hard to get around.
Alan, Charlie, Thanks for the welcome! I would have been on board sooner, but my Mac didn't like the registration process too much. Alan, the UK meet sounds great! The new F59PHIs are incredible. There is a big move towards cheaper locomotives. MT's GP35s and AZL SD70s are just the start. Another very popular loco is planned for 2006 (sorry, I can't share). Yes, locomotives are simple, but, and this is a big one, the issue is motors. For instance, 8mm Faulhauber motors cost $50.00. That is before any flywheels or gears are put in place. This is a challenge when it comes to creating a less expensive locomotive. Until cheaper can motors hit the market, price points will remain arround $200.00 As for the F59PHIs, AZL used a 10mm Mabuchi motor. Cheaper than a Faulhauber, this is a wonderful motor. It does run slightly warmer than a comparable 10mm Faulhauber, but I will take it since the pricing is so much better. Rob Kluz
Hi Rob! Welcome to Trainboard! On the track issue... I remember reading the Z Scale article in Model Railroader last year where Lyn St Laurent mentioned his layout was just parallel loops of flextrack due to the lack of turnouts to match his MTL track. It was a real eye opener for me, and I'm sure people at Microtrains read that one also. Yes I agree we need more North American styled track system, complete with at least 2 sized of turnouts to really get the Z ball rolling. About price, I don't know how much Z can go down in price until there is a lot more people in the scale, and the Z manufacturers can make volume purchases at discount prices like your Athearn's, Bachmann's and Atlas's do. However Z progresses, I'm glad I'm modeling in Z now, as it's still real easy to come up with something that nobody else has done in Z yet! Did you know I single handedly doubled the worlds available choices of Z Scale Caboose Prototype by just offering 2 different caboose kits? And that was no accomplishment by any standard compared to what other guys have done in Z recently. That's how fun N Scale used to be back in the day. Now, it's all been done in N and Z is the last frontier in model railroading. -Robert
Hi, Just wanted to publicly say Hello!. I've been looking in to this forum for a few weeks now and it really looks active and the posts are well articulated... along with having some great Z scale photos. I hope it becomes a regularly bookmarked site for many current, as well as potential Z scale enthusiasts. John http://www.ztrains.com [ 21. January 2005, 03:57: Message edited by: Ztrains ]
Welcome John. Your site really helped me get over my fear of taking apart and cleaning my loco's. Very good information there!
Hi John! Welcome to Trainboard! I'm really excited that the Z Scale forum is growing. The Yahoo list is really great, but having individual threads with the ability to post photos instead of just thumbnails is real nice, and it's much easier to draw in converts from other scales with a multi scale format like Trainboard offers. Were on a roll now!
Hi All, Thanks for the nice welcome, also for the nice words about my website. I agree Robert, it's nice to be able to see the photos right next to specific posts, and you have really posted some great shots. I'd actually like to ask you about one of those shots, the NP 0-6-0 you have shown here. I'd love to see some additional pics of that if you have, looks like a beautiful job you've done there. John http://www.ztrains.com
Hang around John and I think you'll be able to help some of us first-timers give it a go. I had not thought much of Z Scale until recently but now I am ready to give it a try. Charlie
Hi everyone!! I just stumbled onto this site the other day and this is just great!! I have recently purchased a GN F a&b unit along with some GN rolling stock. I was looking for ways to build track, but now I see Micro-Trains is going to be making new track with roadbed this fall. All of the other things I have seen so far look very promising! I used to model the Milwaukee in N-scale, but ran out of room in my new house. So I am downsizing, sort a' speak!
Kurt- Welcome! Are you still modeling any Milwaukee Road? We also have a Milwaukee Road Forum in our "Fallen Flags" section. Be sure to stop in and say hello! Boxcab E50
Hi Kurt, Welcome to Trainboard! The new MTL Z Scale track is expected to cost 1/2 the price of the Marklin track, and the pieces are supposed to be the same sizes as the Marklin's track. Ties are reported to match their flextrack spacing, and they are planning a turnout too. The only bad thing, is we have to wait till later this year! -Robert
Welcome aboard Kurt. Good to see another Z scaler here Should be a good year for Z with various new items in the pipeline.
I have a whole bunch of Milwaukee Road N-scale that I wouldn't mind getting rid of. I just don't have the room and need to find a good, loving, MILW. home for it. Anyone interested?
Hi Kurt, We have a forum you could use to list out stuff you want to sell. Just post it all in the Yellow forum, so people looking for stuff can see it. I'm always keeping an eye open for stuff posted there. I found someone selling NCE Switch-it's cheap once, and a locomotive for a real good price another time. And it's free!
