UK Z models

Hello, I'm Steve. I normally model in British O gauge (1:43.5) but I'm becoming more and more interested in Z. I notice that there are no UK-specific models, so I wondered if anyone knew why?

I'd also like to get an idea of the pitfalls of Z. I've been browsing a lot before joining today, and have read that track cleanliness is very important. Clean and well-maintained mechanisms are also key. That is probably a given in any scale, however, so is there anything specific to Z that I should know?

I'm thinking of manufacturing a small sample of models to gauge interest in British outline models, so I'd like to design out as many issues as possible before I start. I'd also like to design in as many features as possible, so what would be a decent wish list of features?

I believe sound is becoming more and more prevalent in model railways, so I'd like to include this feature. Built-in DCC is very much a possibility too, but what about motors - are models adequately powered? Do they offer smooth running? I've only seen a handful of Z layouts, but all of the trains seem to be travelling at a scale 200mph+. Why is this?

That's plenty of questions to start off with, so I look forward to hearing your responses.

 

Thanks John, but I would disagree - all of the designs I've made so far include a speaker inside the loco. Most UK mainline locos have full-width bodies, so there is perhaps more room than in a US-style loco with a narrower bonnet.

 

Modelling British Z is a challenge but do-able. I'm currently building up the stock for my next layout and the following pictures give an idea of the variety that can be acheived.



These displays were alongside my Republic Steel layout at last weekends Kendal Model railway xhibition



Republic is based on a Steelworks with the bonus that it can be run either as a 1950s USA layout, 1990s USA, Japanese steam or British 'Railblue' era. Blast furnaces look the same the world over so I only have to change the road vehicles and some of the signs.

So..The rolling stock seen is a mix.

from the 3D printers you can see the following

Class 42 warships
Class 24
Class 25
Class 66
Class 73
Hymek diesel hydraulic
Derby Lightweight DMU
USRA dock tank
Class 86 electric
Merchant navy 4-6-2
27T iron ore tipplers
Mk 1 coaches.

Most of the locos use Marklin donor chassis, the 66 uses an MTL SD40-2 chassis and the bubble car uses one of the Plus Z EMU mechanisms

Some of the long wheelbase and bogie wagons are simple repaints of Marklin modern image stock like the Yeoman stone hoppers. The 4 wheel wagons like the OBA steel wagons are scratchbuilt bodies on Marklin 'banana' van chassis

The 'Flying Scotsman' is the Atlas editions static model motorised and the Gresly coaches behind it are the ones from the sets fitted with scale bogies. The Pullmans came from the 'Golden Arrow' set from the same source.

The Class 47s are either original 'Elmar' RTR ones or resin cast copies on Marklin chassis finished in a variety of liveries.

Seen near the blast furnace are some of the locos in action



resin class 47 in Virgin livery, Class 73 in 'Big arrow' railblue in the background is one of the Hymeks and an Class 07 converted the Marklin V60. The slag acrs and Torpedo cars are 3D printed and the cars are done by Laszlo in Hungary including Del Boy's reliant robin!

Republic is proving very popular at shows. The video shows it out at 3 exhibitions last year running in British guise to give you an idea of how it looks. next shows out are Maccclesfield March 10-11th and a one day show at Settle later in March



Always happy to give advice if you have anymore questions

Kev

 

Thanks Kev, I've seen your layouts and other videos on YouTube.

I'm actually looking into producing RTR Z gauge models at the moment, but true scale models instead of compromised adaptations. We're going through virtual engineering stages right now, and are looking at a new finescale standard of wheels and track.

I'm not sure of the size of the potential market at the moment, especially for a new standard, so I'm doing quite a lot of research. The market potential will have a dramatic effect on prices, so I will have to judge this carefully. If you could help in this I would be very grateful.

We'll probably launch with a freight set and passenger set and see how it goes, but this won't be for a couple years yet. We're also hopeful of producing them in-house.

 

I'm very interested in your DMU - can you post a picture of it please?

 

You might want to take a look at the September/October 2006 issue of Ztrack Magazine. This issue was dedicated to British Outline Z scale. I is by far one of our most popular back issues. We are sold out of the print copies, but PDFs are available. Here is a link:

http://www.ztrackmagazine.com/product-category/2006-back-issues/

Rob

 

Thanks Rob, I was all set to purchase the download version but the personal information required for what is in effect just a one-off delivery email I found a bit intrusive, so I didn't go ahead. If I could purchase one without requiring to provide this level on information I would buy it.

 

We ask for name, address and email address. This is all very straight forward information we collect. This information is also required, especially when you consider that the majority of our business is mail order.

Ztrack Magazine is fully PCI compliant. What that means is that we are authorized to accept Visa and MasterCard. Because of this we must pass strict reviews of our business and how we handle data. This includes encrypting of data and secure processing of orders. We also require the information above for AVS (Address verification) when processing orders.

In addition, Ztrack Magazine does not sell this information to other sources. All customer information is protected and never shared. Any of our 1,000s of customers can vouch that they have never received unsolicited materials based on their business with us.

This holds true for our Magazine business, as well as our retail and wholesale sides of the business. We have been doing this for 21 years and take protecting our customer very seriously.

Rob

 

Thanks for explaining Rob, I didn't realise you were the publisher.

The articles may not be entirely relevant anyway as I'm proposing a proprietary wheel/track relationship and an all-new loco bogie design specifically for the UK. It will be much closer to scale than current systems - approx half way between the current Z standard and proto scale.

What radius are the standard Marklin and Rokuhan L&R turnouts? They seem to be the same length, at around 110mm but I'm not sure of radius on the diverging track. Any help appreciated.

 

I think the radius on the Märklin turnout is 490 mm and 13 degrees.

 

Thanks for the help so far.

Is there a formula for ideal weights for locos, wagons and coaches? Most locos used in the UK are between 50-60ft, coaches are mostly around 60ft and are in trains of 13 maximum usually, and wagons vary from 20-40ft and can be in trains of 50-60 wagons, but usually less than 30.

Would it be more ideal to put most of the weight into the bogies rather than the bodies, or would it be best to spread the weight around?

Finally, what is the torque rating of 3 and 5 pole motors used in a typical Z model - in g/cm if possible, although I could convert other formulas. I'm presuming they are of the 6-10mm can or open frame type - at least that's what I've seen most of.

 

Maybe I've chosen the wrong forum. Apologies for troubling you.