The March/April issue of Ztrack Magazine is out and showing up in mailboxes all over the Z world! In this issue, you will find articles on: Dave Dawes' California Coast Layout Marklin 2010 New Items Motor cleaning MTL's F7s Twin Whistle releases Z kits Inside look at MTL's Ringling Bros cars Pilling's Springtime at Mountain Farm Tenshodo releases D51 Mikado Rodgau US Z Convention And so much more! Ztrack subscribers, look inside this issue for your AZL Challenger and Ztrack Center Tenshodo order form! Not a subscriber? Then get started today at: Ztrack Magazine Rob Kluz
Nice issue. The motor cleanning article was good. In fact, I like how the first articles of Ztrack lately seem to be based on improving operations of loco's. I will attest that once cleanned the performance of these things greatly improves.
I agree with Joe. After reading the motor cleanning artical I had to try the alcohol bath it really worked well. Keep it up Z-track :thumbs_up:
Rob, Dave Dawes' California Coast layout is great looking. Can you post a diagram of the layout? John
Rob, Do you know the dimensions of Pilling's Springtime at Mountain Farm layout? It looks like a candidate for my first Z layout. -James
An important point not mentioned in the motor cleaning article - check the wheel gauge using the MTL #920 track gauge with the axles removed. Many older units had the wheel gauge set too wide. If necessary can be fixed by gently squeezing the wheels together using large plumbers pliers with right angled jaws that apply the squeeze force with jaws adjusted parallel to each other so the axle does not bend. A "click" should be felt as the wheels press home. Also check that the treads are flat all the way to the flange, some wheelsets were made with a slight curve where the tread approaches the flange resulting in excessive shake and wobble. Kicking myself for overlooking this.
James, the dimensions are 49cm x 42cm x 22cm (19.3 inches x 16.53 inches x 8.66 inches). John, the track plan for Dave's layout is very basic. It is really a single line on each end the splits into a double line through the front of the layout. This acts as a long siding for trains to pass. Note that the track curves going into the tunnels. There is a fiddle yard on the backside of the layout. Rob
Thanks John for the greeting, and thanks Rob for the info. I've been blown-away at the skill level in this group and I thank you all for your sharing of your work. It's very inspiring. Is there a supplier for geared wheelsets in Z? I've seen several great choices for regular wheelsets, but no geared versions. I've been playing around with some tiny motors and need a way to get the power down on the rails.
