New to Z scale

I have been lurking on this board for about a year as an N scaler but now and then acquiring some Z scale equipment. The birth of Micro Trains GP-35s, their new track and now the turnouts accelerated my interest and satisfaction in Z. In addition having moved three times in the last eighteen months and started up one new shortline railroad and two new operating jobs has not left a lot of time to build a layout in any scale.

However, tonight having been home with the flu/cold I decided to get out my ATSF GP-35s and the new switches to see if they would operate okay. After replacing a low battery in my Zthektronics power pack I slowly moved the GP one direction and then the other testing it over the switch. Beautiful ! No bumps or stops just real smooth. Well, I figured I would try my Marklin 4-6-2 and see how it performed after hearing a few less than positive comments regarding it's performance on the new switches. Again, no problem very smooth at slow speed. I like the look of the new Micro Track and it's performance the only thing better would be something that Chris 333 or Robert would produce. We are truly blessed this Christmas season with great Z products from Micro Trains, Penzee, Nansen Models and many others.

One question: does anyone know how to shorten the drawbar on the Marklin Pacific/Mikado so the locomotive and tender close couple? Also, how can a person move the rear tender truck back in position toward the rear and replace the coupler with a MT one?
It appears to me if some one produced a new tender bottom with adjustable drawbar and the right spacing for the trucks to attach to, it would make this little steamer a lot more realistic. Then, if someone produced a few 60-75 foot steel passenger coaches to go with the engine...

Barry, (leaning close to tipping over into Z and a new layout)

P.S.
I learned everything I know about Z from you folks, Thanks.

 

Barry, welcome officially to Z scale. Can't help you with the steamer mods but I'm sure that someone has from this world-wide community. Glad your enjoying your GP and new track. Hope to see your collection expand to the AZL's and lots of rolling stock.

 

Barry welcome to Z! I think you'll find people in this group who can help you. I have not done the conversion that you are talking about but I don't think it would be too difficult to retrofit the underframe. many times I sit back and just watch what guys here come up with. They are very helpfull.

 

I don't have the Marklin locomotive, but I'm sure it can be done.

Has anyone converted the tender to pick up power?

 

Robert and all Z guys:

Thanks for the warm welcome, I have been inspired by all of your great work and friendliness as a group. It is hard to beat the enthuisiam and cooperation of current Z modlers.

Robert, in the event you do produce a conversion tender frame for the Marklin locomotive and also for the Marklin caboose would you consider me one of your first customers ? Thanks.

With respect to a possible layout plan. It would likely be a shelf layout about 2x12 feet, mainline to shortline interchange, continous operation on the mainline and wye to reverse loop on the shortline.
I have checked out the Marklin turnouts and they look like they can be used for "spring switches". A few industries, small engine facility for the shortline, and the use of the shortline on weekends for steam, passenger, excursion trains would provide enough operation and scenic opportunities. I have used a similar pattern in
N scale and it provides for vintage rolling stock to be used in a contemporary modern setting with out stretching reality too much.

Enough. Thanks for listening to my rambling.

Barry

 

Welcome Barry!

When you get your layout going please shoot us some pics. I'm considering a 2-3' x 12' layout myself - to start out. I have about 48 sticks of the new MTL straight track, the "starter oval" (D'OH!), two switches (I haven't tweaked yet per HoboTim's recommendations), and two uncoupler straights. At this pace I'll have a nice 2' x 100' Z scale layout.

If MTL doesn't break out with any news of larger radius curve sections soon I think I'm going to go with their Flex track after the holiday.

 

I was inspired to butcher my four Marklin tenders to closer couple them to the loco's and have achieved a degree of success, i drilled a hole on the casting line that can be found on the underneath of the drawbar that sticks out in the front of their tenders, and super glued a small length of plastic rod ( same diameter as the original ) into the hole and then cut off the original pin. The only hassle with doing this is you have to modify the top front of the tender to clear the swinging canopy of the loco, i cut the top forward bulkhead off first and then cut a notch below that and then finally glued the top of the bulkhead back on to the lowered section to neaten things up a bit. The end result is a much better "look". I will go away to take some pics and then return shortly and post them for all to see.
Eliot

 

pics now

I have done my photography thing and here are the results, the tops of the tenders need some work but i plan on painting them all as Pennsy eventually so i will clean them up at at a later date.
Eliot

 

OOPS too big

I will try again with properly sized pics.


Eliot

 

Eliot, your layout looks really good, do you mind posting more pics???

 

Goodaye henrikH,
here are a couple of earlier ( learning to use my new digicam at time ) pics of my Z bend track modules.

 

Wery impressive! BTW: I thing you take good pictures!

 

Beautiful pictures Eliot! Go ahead!