They are #6's they fit better on this smaller layout and the largest locomotive I plan on running is a F7. The #6's go with the 8" radius curves too. BTW 8" in Z scale would be about 11" in N scale. This 2'x4' layout would be about 33"x66" in N scale. I don't have a lot of room, actually building this layout on the kitchen table! So that is part of the reason for trying out Z scale.
What a difference a day makes. Gives you and idea what the town site will look like. No details have been worked out yet, but I have an idea what I want. The main in on the right. Passing siding on the left. To the right that siding will go to a large factory along the backdrop. Will use this building: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/405-6770 Anyone know where I can buy this building? The siding at the top left that seems to run off the layout will be some sort of feed mill, maybe GC Laser? Off to the left coming toward you will be another siding to this corner of the layout. The feed mill might have to go here since there is more room. I haven't decided what the "other" industry will be yet.
Nice work Chris! You can find this Factory here: http://cgi.ebay.de/KIBRI-Z-B-6770-Fabrik-aus-der-Gruenderzeit-Neuware_W0QQitemZ7371406012QQcategoryZ99844QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Regards Jürg
Looking good! Now, are you even tasting it, or just inhaling it? You got to stop and savor the flavor of Z Scale. -Robert
I don't know standing over the soldering iron as it ignites the flux with a puff of smoke up my nose and then theres the ACC fumes. But yes this stuff is great. It just seems like sooooooo much more layout than my 2x4 N scale.
Looks great so far Chris! You can also check out www.reynaulds.com for the building you want. They have a neat selection.
Joe, thanks. I was able to buy the building from German E-bay and have it shipped here. It's on it's way.
Wow Chris!, GREAT progress! I still don't know which turnout number to use on my layout. I see many layouts with the standard Marklin #4.5 (13 degrees) turnouts which are not too tight for any rolling stock as far as I know, I seen a GS4 run through them without a hassle. For a prototypical look, I thought about using #8's on the main line, so rolling stock could move quickly on and off the main. And #6 in the yards where running speeds are slow. It looks nice but it's not a necessity. I'm also minimizing space usage and #6 turnouts don't take a lot of space at all. When I design a yard with #6's I can lay the tracks closer together then with Marklin's #4.5, thus creating more tracks in the same amount of used space. When I reflect on the things just said, the Marklin #4.5 turnouts aren't bad. But the #6 turnouts are smoother and use less space! I should go with #6 turnouts all the way I guess. I dunno what number of turnout would be prototypical correct to use on the main line and yards, I can't find any rules about this. Who has ever heard or read about these?? I just wanna hear someone say: "Rob, using #6's on yards and mains shouldn't be a problem "
Rob, using #6's on yards and mains shouldn't be a problem I think the prototype would use around a #12 or 14 for a mainline crossover. If you have larger steam engines and passenger cars you might want #8's just so they look better... If your gonna have a big layout, or at least bigger than mine, they shouldn't take up much space. You can print out the turnouts from this page for planning: http://www.handlaidtrack.com/tie-templates.php #6 http://www.handlaidtrack.com/cd/templates/z-6-turnout-tie-template.pdf #8 http://www.handlaidtrack.com/cd/templates/z-8-turnout-tie-template.pdf
Ok I finally got the mainline running, and got to run my first train:shade: Still a long way to go. Someday those F units will be close coupled and painted in Erie colors. Over the Viaduct: The town site, foam blocks stand in for yet to be built structures: My F7s are running good and standing stright now thanks to a few E-mails from Glen. Wheel wipers are on the way. EDIT: Please look here to see the photos: http://zcentralstation.com/modules/xcgal/thumbnails.php?album=48
Criss, there is nothing better then running that first train. Looks like a fairly long train. I counted ten cars before the mountain block my view. I wish I could do my layout again, but Just dont have time. My current layout was design to run Marklin engines, and they just dont do grades. I am picking up a lot of tips from you and Hemi on how to build layout. Keep up the great work.
Thanks, Yes there are only 10 cars, I have a few more, but they still have Marklin couplers. I figure 15 is about as large as would look right. My grades are about 2.5% one way and 2.7% the other. The F7's have no problems with the grades. The train will get a hair shorter once I close couple all of the cars, I've only done 3 so far.
Chris: Everything looks great. You've accomplished quite alot in a short time period. That train length looks good. Stay cool and run steam.....:shade: :shade:
Looks great so far. By the way, I close coupled my A and B unites together with a piece of plastic in place of the couplers. Not that difficult and the results really look good. I also shaved those platic horns off and made my own out of tack nails. I am sure you already have some plans for that as well. Keep up the work, it is fantastic.
The trains go through the turnouts like butter. I have rail joiner connections that give more of a blip as a train goes through. I was surprised they are far better than the N scale Atlas C55 turnouts that I love so much. On a few I did need to file the inside of the guard rail at the frog. Not a big deal, I may have soldered them in the wrong place. And the frogs are powered so there is no electrical gaps either.
Robert, DEFINITELY need to figure out how to merge something like this onto a Z-Bend module. May the inners go into something like this and the outer just goes around. We could put it on the one leg of the Y so that only the able engines run it. Need to start thinking 2 in-line modules so we can have grades and pass overs and trestles and .... Jeff SF BAY Area Z man (The BAZ BoyZ)
