I have been working on this idea in Ho for a long time. Most of the Epoch 1 cars and locomotives HO have the markings for military use. The 100th anniversary of WW1 is coming up fast, and when I go to the train shows in Germany, I have been putting that bug in their ear. from 1945 until about the time the wall came down, German model train and toy companies have been very much against what they call war toys. Because military items have been creeping in, and there is a law of supply and demand, even Maerklin jumped on the bandwagon with their MFOR stuff (but the Bundeswehr are PEACEKEEPERS) Anyway you could do WW1 stuff in Z as when the army was mobilized, they used the standard Prussian, Saxon, Württembergisch Barvarian ect cars, and they were mixed too. The big flat cars with the break houses would be good. MZZ makes the proper military wagons that were used in both wars and would look good on them. Troops were transported in boxcars and passenger wagons alike. I would have to see what wagons are out there but if there are the Württembergisch -wagons, one could add red crosses on it to make a Lazarett train. I model more modern german Z with military trains, but I study WW1 history and have lots and lots of references, so it could be done. Railroads were the prime mover of troops then and was key to the mobilization and the war plans. The main railroad lines of Europe today were made to bring troops and supplies to key areas back then. If anyone is interested in making somthing like this I can give you reverences and IBNs to several books that you can use.
Hallmark made a miniature ornament of a 1917 Curtis Jenny in 2002. While the jennys were too slow to be used as fighters, they were used to train pilots. The Hallmark mini is pretty close to Z. It looks big, but that's mostly because the prototype had a fairly long wingspan. But, to clarify, it is only the miniature series that is close, not the standard series. Dan S.
Mmmhhh... Reminds me the time when I was flying the C130 "Herk" in a french air force tactical airlift squadron.:tb-wink: But I'm out of subject....:tb-wacky: Unfortunately I don't remember. But as far as I remember that fellow is a Trainboard member, so maybe he's going to show here.:tb-wink:
The current NMRA magazine, formerly Scale Rails, came the other day. I saw an ad and ignored it for about a week. MTL Z Scale rolling stock for $5 per car or less than $20 for 3 boxcars including shipping. These are all special issue cars. They came today and one had an original sale sticker price of $43. When I made my order at the end of last week there were only a few styles remaining, but it looks as if I received a 2004 & 2005 edition plus the 1935 - 1995 NMRA 60th Anniversary car. I had no idea that the Convention had Z Scale cars. Get them while you can. Anyone else ever heard of NMRA making Z Scale special run cars before? ...don
This is what's on my workbench: an SD&AE (ex-sp) c-8, modeled after the one in Campo, CA. Here are links to how I built this and How I plan to make an sp tenwheeler!!!!! http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=124121 :tb-confused: OOPS! Looking back I think I just put an N scale post in a Z scale thread! my bad. I'll take it out if u want.
No, go ahead and leave it, but I double dog dare you to do that in Z scale. Then all will be forgiven and you will be the steam hero of every Z scaler......honest.
I guess a z scale 2-8-0 mech and the micro trains sp 2-6-0 could be the place to start! But I'm only vaguely ridiculous with my kitbashing possibilities, like an n scale tenwheeler from a 2-8-0 (which I have self-dubbed "n scale alchemy") I'll leave the z scale c-8 to another worthy competitor. micro trains sp mogul get marklin chassis donor make c-8 baby?:ru-nerd: or 2 micro trains sp mogul parts mix make 2-8-0?:ru-nerd:
I Never tough of doing this to form mountains or hills on a layout. (hot gun over foam). !!! I'm posting it, just in case this is new to some people, as it was new for me. Ben
I hope you did that outside !!! Please watch out for toxic vapors ! You can also just spray areas with standard spray paints. Don't concentrate in one area. It can sometimes take several minutes or more for the total chemical effect to occur. .
LOL! That's not me on the photo, plus I did not try it yet, it was taken from a French site were the guy did some artificial rocks for the back of his aquarium, he covered the whole foam after with cement, I can imagine plaster would also do the job. Ben
I used the "foam in a can". It will expand erratically for gullies and ridges. Let it dry and easy to carve with a kitchen knife. Just don't get a layer more than about 3" thick or it won't cure in the middle (you will find out when you cut into it and the foam comes out of the cut). Also have good ventilation. Picture: Well under the paper mache and paint.
DO NOT - I REPEAT DO NOT - USE A HOT AIR GUN ON URETHANE FOAM, BLUE STYROFOAM OR PINK "FOAM". VERY TOXIC FUMES CAN RESULT AND MIGHT CATCH FIRE!!! Yes I did that in all caps as I AM shouting!!! Dow STYROFOAM has a flame retardant in it that will not allow the blue material to support combustion but the vapors are another story. Burning or hot urethane foam can give off hydrogen cyanide among other nasty things. I REPEAT DO NOT USE A HOT AIR GUN ON URETHANE FOAM, DOW STYROFOAM OR PINK "FOAM". Lindley Ruddick Dow retiree with STYROFOAM production experience.
Zthek SW-1 This holiday week/weekend am working on a Zthek SW-1 kit. Have the main body complete so far. Will soon have it complete. Then machine the Marklin chassis. Will post photo or two soon! Hobo Tim
The NMRA started their Living Legends/Heritage program about 1990?. The G&D was the first issue, then the others on an irregular basis. For some cars you were supposed to b e a NMRA member, for others they just charged a higher price. Some sold out fast (G&D, V&O), others slower. That $45 per Z scale car that may have been close to the actual HO one may have had something to do with it. Somebody must have decided to do a closeout on the Z scale items. Some cars have appeared on *bay while others may be in the N Collector sale. Thanks for your update.
Todays Project, a long time in the making! Started little after 8 this morning working on this. Did the whole home etching process. A few minutes ago I finally finished assembling it. I see several places that need tweeking on the artwork, but for the most part, it's SWEET!!!!!!! The brass edges look a bit knarley, but that is ok. Being on the road I bring minimal tools to work my hobby with. For this I used a Nalgen wide mouth water bottle to etch the brass with. Have to fold the brass sheets so they will fit in the bottle. Close lid tight and shake, shake, shake!!! Didn't have a Sharpie to coat the edges good enough. Anyways, here is a photo of the completed assembly!!! Can anyone guess what this is!!! Specifically??? Have a wonderful day!!! Hobo Tim p.s. A teaser/give-away!
They look like they're gonna be Maxi 4's? Able to put 53 footers on bottom and 57 footers on top. http://www.railcarphotos.com/pix/13/DTTX%20%20732559_Dupo%20IL_Keith%20Belk_2005-05-10_13029.jpg
