I've been trying to build up some stock and here is my first Z scale #12... It's pictured here with a pair of #8's. These are so smooth, I'm pissed at myself for not designing my layout around them! They sure do look nice with Alan's 5-unit spine cars on them!
Wow, they look utterly sweet! Can I have the actual sizes and angle? I might like some of these on my modules.
I use the FastTrack's tie templates to build my turnouts off of, unless I have a custom order, then I do all the AutoCad work and print it out 1 to 1. I have purchased a bunch of N and Z scale jigs, but I find it just as easy to build off of the print (and more cost effective!). Keep in mind that the jigs are great, but when you have built a few hundred turnouts, it becomes second nature to build without them. http://www.handlaidtrack.com/tie-templates.php Just follow the directions on how to print them. You can cut them out and place them on your layout to figure out what you need. Then just email me if you want some...
I'll try it out. I would like a sample after I'm back from vacation Is there a chance we get z-scale signals? I haven't seen any before...
I just walked in from the NTS/convention a few minutes ago. I have been without internet for a week, as both of the toilets I stayed in had bait and switch service. Anyway's, back to the trains... I met Eric (Mythman) at the NTS and got to see his turnouts in person, and I must say they are excellent! -Robert
I've printed the template and putt all the measurements into AutoCad. I'm changing all the Marklin switches into #10 switches I think they'll fit really well. And I really like that looks of that #12 switch!, what could I use it for? sidings perhaps?
If you like that #12...... Here is a Code 40 #20 that I am working on. It measures a hair under 15" long. BTW - That is an actual Union Pacific drawing that I scaled down to Z scale. Notice how I bent the wing rails by the frog. I had to do this because the frog is so dang long! Took me a LONG time to get the two rails shaped perfectly on the disc sander! Next project is a #20 crossover.
WOW!!! Very impressive. The beauty of Z scale, too scale #20 turnouts! I can't wait to see the crossover. Rob Kluz
Boy oh boy, get a load of that honk'n thing! I can't wait to see where you are going to put it. Are you going to install it on your layout or is it for a customer? -Robert
Has anyone heard of Mythman lately? I can't reach him by email anymore. The last thing he said was that he had "problems" and that's why my order has been delayed. He promised my switches would've been ready 1 month ago I assume the "problems" have been escalated. I paid the turnouts in advance, I think I lost my money...
Last thing I remember seeing posted by Eric, aka Mythman, was his mentioning working on a 53' Z scale container. Nothing since. Asked many questions of him but no replies! Tim
I have not heard from Eric in a while either, but I doubt you will loose your money. Often a guy gets sidetracked by his day job, and gets behind. I know as it happens to me a lot. My day job had put us on mandatory overtime, so I have been working 6 days a week, and trying to get all my other comittments finished. At any given time I have 6-8 people waiting for me to finish their project, and after a 12 hour work day, I am often too tired to get much hobby work done. Not to mention busines travel. I met Eric at the NTS in Cincinati this past summer, as well as Tim, and other Trainboard guys, and Eric told me he just got married, and is a Field Service guy at his day job, so he might have been sent out on the road. At the same time as there are people waiting on me to get them their projects, I also have several people who are doing projects for me, that are behind. I trust they will get around to them without forgetting me. I prepaid one guy for some crossing gates, but he decided to do a full re-design, and it's been several months. Some guys I made trades with for stuff, and they got a new job, and moved to a new house, so they got a bit behind, but I am sure they will catch up when they get the time. (Oh, was that you Tim? ) hehe. The point being that many of the guys offering things in Z Scale are doing it just as a way to share with the rest of the Z Scale community, but are doing it in their spare time, while maintaining day jobs, raising children as single parents, and trying to have some fun with the hobby. It's easy to find yourself overobgligated, because we want to help everyone else enjoy the hobby too. -Robert
Thanks for pointing that out Robert It gives me hope again. I didn't know he is a field service guy, that might explain the cause. It's been 5 weeks I haven't heard of him, so maybe he'll reply anytime soon? I'm afraid it might take months, the only thing I can do is wait patiently.
Yes Robert, that would be me. All I have to say is, Day Jobs Suck! I woke up at 11am this morning with the possibility that today I wouldn't have to go in at 2:30pm again and start Friday off as usual at 6:30am. NOT!!! Boss called and I have to leave in a few minutes to get there for 5 additional hours. Ugh! My job pays bills and child support with little for gas each week. My better halves checks are sporatic and usually get us caught up or close. The last 3 months have been hell! I have not forgotten about you Robert. 5 PS2's and several pieces of Farm Equipment. I have misplaced your address, please email it to me again. Tell Jim Manley to send me his address too. The move misplaced lots of things. Feel not bad for I owe Kurt in Germany a mass of Grain Elevators too! For the past 5 months I have been trying to completely strip the paint from a C44-9 NS so I can re-paint it into CSX colors for John Mui. I have tried about 5 different, full proof, ways of stripping it. None work except time and a paint stripping gel I have. Nothing seems to work. Paint Thinner, brake fluid, and laquer remover won't do anything. Only an epoxy stripper gel I found has any effect. Sucks. The guy who wrote the 2003 article in ZTrack about the C44 re-paint to a CSX can not be located. Rob has no email address for him. He apparently used some paint thinner that worked in about 30 minutes. Why Me! 5+ months! Ugh! Any suggestions? Progress is crawling, but advancing slowly! I wish I could use spare time at work to cast parts, but instead all I have is a computer to make decals. No such luck on the casting, however, I am thinking of bringing my air compressor and airbrush stuff into work tonight. Everyone should be gone by 3:30pm. That'll give me about 4 hours to airbrush a few items. On second thought, we have no running water. Darn! So much for that idea. I appreciate your patience greatly Robert! Tim
Tim, I read the article. He did not strip the paint. He painted it over. If you look at his engine, the detail are obscure by the additional paint job. He also wrote if he had to do it again he would strip the paint. of course he doesn,t know a paint it is to strip the paint. When I have too many things to do, I try to get one thing done at a time. Eventually everything gets done.
Tim, I read the article. He did not strip the paint. He painted it over. If you look at his engine, the detail are obscure by the additional paint job. He also wrote if he had to do it again he would strip the paint. of course he doesn,t know a paint it is to strip the paint. When I have too many things to do, I try to get one thing done at a time. Eventually everything gets done.
