Hi everyone! I'm mostly a newbie to train layouts (though not to models/dioramas) and decided to do my dream Z scale layout. It builds on this track plan, but slightly larger (24"x42") and packs in skyscrapers, ocean, and big mountains (ie ~3-4" of track elevation change, 5 levels, many tunnels). Though I'm more into the overall layout/scenery than just the RR itself, I would like to end up with 2 trains that run! I have been struggling to keep turns reasonable and in a few places (<10 pieces) slipped down to 145mm / 5.7", 45 degree pieces. I would really love to run something like the Marklin 88711 Amtrak ICE, but the manufacturer lists it as "min turn radius 195mm". Do you have some insights on (1) whether I might get away with a few 145mm sections (no more than 2 in sequence), medium speed, and with only the 2 cars + 2 locos? (2) whether having 2 locos in this set would help me much with with gradients? I must say I'm pushing around 3 degrees in a couple places (all straight or 195mm). (3, unrelated) as Z trains and starter sets are a rarity, do you mostly look on ebay for Z locos and track bundles, or is there another place worth checking? Sadly there's no shops running Z scale in western NY and not having a train set yet (waiting for a good starter set to pop up) makes it hard to build intuition. Thank you so much!! vadim
Hi Vadim, Welcome to Trainboard. Marklin's minimum radius is usually generous, but less so with articulated cars. If the ICE cars can navigate the 145mm radius curves, the vestibules between cars will be pinched and might cause the wheels to go over the rails. If the vestibules do not pinch, then the cars will still hang over the track on the inside of the curves, so you will have to make sure there is a double wide tunnel portal there, or no adjacent track or scenery. The best advice I can give is to purchase a loop of 145mm radius track and test the train before building that layout plan. As far as the grade goes, with just 4 cars you should be OK. While you can find good deals on ebay, http://www.ztrackcenter.com often has lots of starter sets available, and their https://www.ztrackresale.com/ pages have lots of used deals too. Also look in Trainboard's Swap Meet and search out the Z Scale offereings members have, and visit Trainboard's Advertisers to find more of what is available in Z.
Thanks so much!! Quick follow-up: the ICE vestibules look pretty tight/flush. Are there by chance "lengthened" car connectors I could use to add some space (even if less pretty)? [I'm assuming all/most car connections in Z are standardized?] ztrackresale looks so much better than ebay - thank you!!!
I'm pretty sure the Amtrak ICE don't use the standard Marklin coupling, being specific to that model. You would have to fabricate something yourself to increase articulation.
This is great advice, there are videos on the internet showing the visual effect of long cars hanging out over small radius track, I think Z Scale Hobo posted one, and even beside the mechanical limitations you end up with what I consider an uncomfortable look. The little Marklin steam locos and two axle cars from older era's look cute on 145R but big modern stuff, not so much.
Most but not all older marklin Z scale trains were designed to run on a 145* radius. Both the orignal Marklin 8871 ICE and the 88711 ICE Amtrack uses a special power transferring coupler Marklin Part #269620 Note the ICE 2 and ICE 3 models use different couplers. Both end cars are powered, in their original format you must connect all 4 cars to get it to run. They can be modified by soldering in a couple wires to make both end cars work individual. Do a search for "Rewiring Marklin 8871 and 88711: ICE trains go fast!" The ice trains and their vestibules are made to swivel side to side not up and down so you will need to ease into and out of the flat to incline/decline transitions to prevent derailments. David
Thank you all!! I must say I'm thrilled to have found this forum and your amazing talents! I'll keep you updated, and if you're curious here is a good source for Z/N skyscrapers https://www.ebay.com/sch/nickdo3d/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from= I realized the bigger problem of just how big these modern trains are compared to my layout (2-3 station lengths, oups!), so that will take time. I adore Marklin's newer ICEs that have passenger compartments in the end cars, but these have locos in middle cars, preventing a 2-car train. Rokuhan has some speed trains too but their long 'noses' make 2-car trains look silly. Though I did get the marklin 81861B starter set from ztrackresale, so now I can experiment with gradients/curves.
I think the newer 'separated' models (like last post) might work better. The early 'sleak' close-coupled models (like first post) had a lot of friction with those joiner section so possibly prone to derails, especially with direct straight track to 145mm curve (no 'Transition curve').
R=145 mm may be OK with Marklin equipment (or at least some, as said above), but one should take care most of other manufacturers' stuff is simply not suitable for those tight curves. To keep into one's memory when it's time to use AZL, MicroTrains rolling stock and motive power, etc. Dom
