First Z Scale Code 25 handlaid turnout

[bambuko]

...Finescale wheelsets to replace all my MTL wheels is something I would be willing to invest cash in. I am not talking a $12.95 to do 1 car deal, but major bulk availability where you could afford to resell 100 wheelset bulk packs for $29 to those that can appreciate them, where we order something like 20,000 of them for 15 cents a piece. Blackened nickel coated of course.
-Robert

Rob , just for reference, currently available Nn3 metal wheelsets sell at £80 (£160) for 100 directly from David Styles in UK or $10 for a set of 4 at RLW, so your target of $29 per 100 is rather ambitious  but you are right - it is question of economy of scale. I doubt though that it exists  ???

These do not have to be proto220, because I think you need a bit more flange (.010")for Z Scale, as cars bounce very easy. But very close. With wheels available, code 30 rail will be the next item on my list to aquire.
-Robert

least you thought I was mad  - I have only included proto220 on the sketch for reference, to give an idea of relative sizes. My idea is "FineZ" - as close as possible to proto220, but practical. It is not just an issue of flanges - the wheels I have made had flange depth of .014" and I think you are right about .010" being possible. The other issue is wheel width and that can only be done with railhead being narrower than currently available 
Chris

[DKS]

The other issue is wheel width and that can only be done with railhead being narrower than currently available 

After having laid fine-rail track in N and Z, I can attest to the need for "non-proto" wheel width in Z. It's not so much a function of rail width as it is track gauge accuracy. If the wheel was proto width, track gauge accuracy would have to be greater than what I think is humanly possible. It's hard enough to achieve close-to-proto accuracy in N scale; Z is simply not practical, IMO, except perhaps for the most incredibly advanced modelers with super-human skills. So, I am very much in line with the thinking of "Fine Z" being the appropriate goal.

[DKS]

your target of $29 per 100 is rather ambitious  but you are right - it is question of economy of scale. I doubt though that it exists  ???

Agreed. I would be extremely surprised to ever see custom Z scale wheelsets for $29 per 100. I highly doubt there are enough Z scalers interested in finescale to drive the price that low. Me, I'd be one of the first in line, of course, but I wouldn't even need 100...

[tom mann]

FYI, FVM sells their brass wheelsets in 100 packs for $52, so roughly ~$2 per car.

[Pray59]

I think I would need over 1000 wheelsets just to do the cars I have now. That would only leave 19 other like minded Z Scale modelers in the world to suck up the rest.

I did purchase 10 packs of the Nn3 wheel sets, and they work great, but they are 36" in Z, so I use them on tenders only. Also, I paid about $80 for them from RLW, then later I spend several more dollars on the metal bushings so I can get electrical pickup capability.

I would really prefer the wheels to be made with an axle nub and point, as 1 piece metal, then slide it in a plastic tube, so all wheel electric pickup in a Kato style caboose truck or tender truck would be possible.

As far a bulk prices go, how do companies like Intermountain offer retail pricing of N wheelsets in a 12 pack that are found for under $8. That's less than $2.75 a car full MSRP. Surely they did not order much more than 20,000 pieces, because everyone and their cousin sells metal wheels in N.

N Scale Supply off's their Atlas 12 pack of metal wheels for $5.80, or less than $1.95 a car. With an MSRP of $7.25 a pack, which following the 3X rule to make any margin at all, means they got them for 20 cents each axle.

At that price I would be willing to invest $4K for 20,000 blackened Z wheels sized to fit MTL trucks, and break them into 12 packs to off through Walthers. If I threw an add in Ztrack, N Scale, NSR, and MR, I think that half of them would be sold in a few months. This would leave a lifetime supply to my head! (that's the real goal anyways) Even if these were the exact shape and size as MTL wheels, it would be better and more consistent than plastic wheels.

-Robert

[DKS]

one of the problem is that there is no Z gauge standard

Perhaps it is time for this: http://1-220.blogspot.com/2007/11/standards.html

[tom mann]

one of the problem is that there is no Z gauge standard

Perhaps it is time for this: http://1-220.blogspot.com/2007/11/standards.html

Add a 'digg this' button to you blog and see if we can get some traction with this.

[DKS]

Well, the track is all down and trains are running. Read more here: http://jamesriverbranch.net/new.htm

There's also a video:

[Chris333]

Excellent!

I hear ya about finding time to build something, to me modeling is totally sporadic. Sometimes (like if I start working on a steamer) I can work solid day after day. Then just out of nowhere I will not touch the trains for weeks.

[Pray59]

Nice work David! The track looks great, but what impressed me even more is how smooth the trains ran on it. That is the real testament to how well the track has been laid! 

[DKS]

Nice work David! The track looks great, but what impressed me even more is how smooth the trains ran on it. That is the real testament to how well the track has been laid!

Thanks! I got really lucky with regards to the locomotive. The AZL handled the track perfectly straight out of the box (and it was a pre-production version to boot). It's a nice smooth runner. I'm looking forward to relettering it for the Reading, and having my "low rider" Reading caboose on the rails.

[Mark5]

[insert thumbsup smilie here]

[SquirrelHollow]

Nice work man.
I have to agree.  That trackwork looks smooooooth.

And the overhead clearance....  it looks like dirty track would make it hit.

[RDG_Rich]

Very nice David!

Now....when is that Pennsy lokie getting it's Reading treatment?

[DKS]

Very nice David!

Now....when is that Pennsy lokie getting it's Reading treatment?

Soon... quite soon.