I just went into the S scale forum and....there has not been any posts in the past 30 days. humm. Does it mean that Z scalers are more chatty or have we surpassed S scale by leaps and bounds? mg: There are a lot of new men and women who have joined us in Z, during the past 9 months. This is a very exciting discovery!
Well, I would caution that most S scalers that I have encountered are generally beyond the median age of the population............and are probably not all that "connected" as far as internet forums go. Then again, Z scale is growing by leaps and bounds, so I don't think you're too far off base either.
I was just going to say the same thing Bryan. I would also add that while working on setting up the Z scale display for the NMRA NTS, I found the list of home layout tours for the convention attendees and only saw one S scale layout on the list. Of course there are no Z scale layout tours listed. And yes, Z scale IS growing by leaps and bounds. Randy
This Z forum has been here for 6 years, and often went a year at a time without a post. I was into N Scale then, but like many of you, the more I heard about Z Scale the more I wanted to talk Z Scale, and look at us today! This year alone there have been about 25 new members to Trainboard from the Z Scale forums alone, and about the same last year. We also have several converts from other scales on the fence right now, but it takes a couple years to fall into a new backyard. I don't know anything about S Scale, and I don't see much in model railroader about it, but I do see N, On3, G, and Z as growth scales these days.
Sn3 is big in narrow gauge modeling now days. i suspect that if you check on the narrow gauge forum you might find more S scalers there. standard S gauge is not a big industry (i do not think). dave f.
Robert, when I join Trainboard, most of the post were made by you and Joe S. As much as I enjoy your post, I love the variety we get from everybody. I finally know people who model East coast Railroad like Phil and Kez. Last year, the big bang was the introduction of MTL's GP35. This year, we seem to get something new every month. I better get a bigger layout.
Yes, I have a 13' x 4' L shape oval N Scale layout that is unfinished. I have enough N Scale stuff to finish it, but I really just want to convert it to Z Scale now. I can do so much more with it if it was Z. I was into N and out of HO since about '82, but after my Lionel 3 rail days ended as a kid, I built the classic 4'x8' HO layout. My HO days lasted for about 15 years until I could afford N. I have an attic full of HO and N stuff that I just can't bring myself to part with though, but I'm hardcore Z now.
And we wouldn't have it any other way, Robert. I have to say that it is a true pleasure to have you "on our side". :teeth:
I have to believe that S scale is slowly declining in it's use. I don't think they stock one rack of S scale items up at Discount Model Trains here in Addison, TX anymore... it all may be special order. I would think this is due to the smaller scales surpassing S in appearance and performance during the past 20-30 years. O scale still appears to be alive and kicking, especially with two-rail. However with limited space in homes here in North Texas (there's plenty big houses, just not a basement or large room used, more like bedrooms or parts of garages) it's just not viable to build S or O scale in a large layout. Then again I think Kez is right with the point about S scalers not being as "connected" as we small-scalers are. Adam
I think Z is the trend. My guess is it will grow faster than any of the scales. I've said before that with smaller electronics being the all the rage from razor phones to thin screen TV's, it just seems natural for trains. I really should get rid of all my N if for any reason to help fund the z bug... But it is difficult.
Scale trends and what to do with N... I would say smaller scales are the trend. Z scale is starting to really make inroads as a viable sector of the hobby, and certainly appeals to those with less space or younger folks who like the whiz-bang technology you mentioned. I have found myself wondering what to do with my N scale fleet as well. But I just don't see getting rid of a scale where my motive power outnumbers Z scale 10-to-1. Plus once I get this house deal closed, and have the opportunity to build a basement "empire", I will go N scale not only for the size of my existing fleet, but due to more readily available turnouts, and it will be easier to attract larger-scalers for assistance and operating sessions. I think I'm going to be cutting back on my Z scale procurement for the first time in a few years, and start allocating money to the N scale home layout. I'll maintain my existing fleet and add to it occasionally to support the Z scale modular show layout. Adam
The more I think about it, the more I agree. When was the last time I saw an S scale items in a shop... to be honest.. how often do you actually see Z in a shop? Until the last two years, most shops laughed if you said you were looking for Z. When I go to the Amherst Trains Show... there is LOTS of S there. Easily 20 times the amount of Z scale. Thus it makes you feel like S is still out there. I know you all want me to have a booth at the show... and if my health were better... I would be there with enough Z scale to put the S scalers in thier place. mg:
Robert, I hear what you are saying. I sold off all my "junk" HO years ago. I kept all the stuff that has meaning to me. I started off in HO. I moved into O and kept both runnng for 20 years. I briefly tried N in the late 70's and it was all throw-away, no quality at all. I dove back into N in the early 90's and never looked back. Z scale was added to my collections in the late 90's and thanks to all of our small manufactures (Robert Ray), Z scale really feels good.
Hi all, Long time reader, first time poster:teeth: My wife and I are trying to start our own model railroad retail site. I have been doing the custom paint thing with N for years now. My wife and I have come to the conclusion that Z is growing. So much so that we are trying to become a Micro-Trains dealer and stock most of their Z scale items. Last years NTS was a wake up call, much to my wifes delight. She like I is an avid N scaler but she has collected a few Z scale pieces here and there, she even bought me a laser cut Z scale NP caboose kit, and yeah I get to build it! Z has a lot of potential as I can build her a nice twice around layout in 2.5x18" with built up foam core as a base. My only thing keeping me from switching scales is many years into N scale and since I paint and detail all my stuff, well you know. Z is now where N was 20-30 years ago, give it time and we will see many more items offered! Cheers!
Welcome BNSF 7173! We're pretty sure you'll like it here. :teeth: Keep us updated on the progress of your site, and particularly on your progress in acquiring Z stuff!! :thumbs_up:
Hi BNSF, Welcome to the Z forum! You can blame me for the NP Caboose Kit! I'm hooked on NP, and the MTL or Marklin cabooses were just not right.:shade: Better get yourself an optivisor, and some pointy tweezers before you start that kit, and have fun! -Robert
Triplex is sooooo right. N scale in the 70's was poor quality. I did not find it worth while until KATO raised the bar for all manufactures. Z scale is high quality from the beginning. Each of the manufactures produce a quality product. There is no flood of junk just to get stuff on store shelves. My hat is off to each of the manufactures, big and especially small! Look at my sight and see how many of the manufactures do, or started, producing right out of their garage. I don't think we can give them enough praise. :angel:
I was just thinking about "N scale 30 years ago" and thought of something. All the following engines had been released in N as of 1976: F3 A/B, F9 A/B, FP45, GP30, GP40, SW1500, U28C, U30CG, U36B, U50, FA-1, FA-2, RSC-2, RSD-15, C420, C636, H-12-44, 5-axle C-Liner, Plymouth MDT, 0-4-0 Docksider, 0-4-0, oldtime 0-6-0, 0-6-0 saddle tank, 0-6-0 side tank, 0-6-0, 0-8-0, NKP 2-8-4, N&W Y6b 2-8-8-2, oldtime 4-6-0, NYC J3a 4-6-4, ATSF 4-8-4, UP 4500-hp turbine. Most of them were junk. This is not a list of everything that was made - not quite. Rather, it's a list of what N had then that Z has never had. If Z had good versions of all these... well, it's got no modern power (obviously), and the priorities are a bit strange. But we'd be much better off than N was 30 years ago - and probably a major scale.
You are a little spoiled with the variety in products and manufacturers. In Holland we have only Marklin, and not every hobby shop sells their Z scale. No MT, and no other brands. Until I found this forum, I didn't know that there were other manufacturers than Marklin! But it inspired me to build something in Z scale, because I know that it is possible to build a good layout in this scale.
