What am I not getting?

[DKS]

I think these factors, in concert with the cost per ton, will keep Z scale a novelty scale, and the playground of a few evil geniuses.  And perhaps that's as it should be.

I don't agree that it's "as it should be," necessarily, but it's probably as it will be for some time--possibly for all time.

[Coxy]

without too much switching. 

Check the YouTube videos for Z scale switching.  You would be surprised.  The mechanisms (from MT and AZL) are super nice and low speed is great.

Interesting topic. Hey Tom, couldn't find much in the way of Z scale switching clips but as someone interested in switching, I'd like to see some. Do you have some links you could share?

As an N scaler, I like to see what can be done or is being done routinely in Z. For the most part Z scale projects will be easier in N. Imagine that, our HO colleagues could learn a thing or two from N and Z scalers!!!  ;D

cheers,

Steve

[shamoo737]

[ednadolski]

Interesting video -- are those real rocks in the gon, and if so then how much extra weight is needed to couple/uncouple reliably?

Ed

[Catt]

Having been in Z scale for just about two years the one real problem I see is the incredible high cost of everything especially the locomotives.

Rolling stock I can scratchbuild but locos are out of my reach.

By the way my Z layout is 24" X 48".I will be building a bigger one but only by a matter of a few inches in either direction. ;D

[shamoo737]

Interesting video -- are those real rocks in the gon, and if so then how much extra weight is needed to couple/uncouple reliably?

Ed

Ed, the rocks are plastic.

[AlkemScaleModels]

The video is cool as a tech demo but it is possible to make an "operational" layout in Z. Tasks that might be difficult include Reading car numbers, uncoupling when a magnetic ramp isn't available, making and classifying a train in a yard, decoders in each engine, sound, helpers.  I'm asking, not naysaying. Is this doable?

[shamoo737]

The only problem I see on your list is sound. There is just no room for a speaker. Most of the sound decoder involves a tender or installing it in a boxcar. I do have a suitcase layout with a sound decoder installed in building. For now, sound its not really practical in z.

In regards to the rest of your concerns, I dont see a problem. Manual uncoupling is not a problem. I am assuming you dont want to use the hand of god to do it. ;D Well, the baboo stick works well in z also. Except I use a thin metal rod, and you have to be more careful with the cars. They are light and can be knock off easily. On the decoders on every engine, not a problem. The only engines you cant add decoder are German trains like the Kof II. They are so small that theres no room. Since I run dcc, all my engines have decoders. It can be expensive, but you have to pay to play. In regards to the numbers are too small to see. Well, its the same in n scale too. I seen color coding use to show where the cars need to be switch. I guess we can always make excuses why we cant do something. Sometimes you just have to do it.

[AlkemScaleModels]

The only problem I see on your list is sound. There is just no room for a speaker. Most of the sound decoder involves a tender or installing it in a boxcar. I do have a suitcase layout with a sound decoder installed in building. For now, sound its not really practical in z.

In regards to the rest of your concerns, I dont see a problem. Manual uncoupling is not a problem. I am assuming you dont want to use the hand of god to do it. ;D Well, the baboo stick works well in z also. Except I use a thin metal rod, and you have to be more careful with the cars. They are light and can be knock off easily. On the decoders on every engine, not a problem. The only engines you cant add decoder are German trains like the Kof II. They are so small that theres no room. Since I run dcc, all my engines have decoders. It can be expensive, but you have to pay to play. In regards to the numbers are too small to see. Well, its the same in n scale too. I seen color coding use to show where the cars need to be switch. I guess we can always make excuses why we cant do something. Sometimes you just have to do it.

Thanks.  I may try a Z scale project sometime down the road after I get the O scale project "complete."  There are just too many cool things in this dang hobby.

[shamoo737]

Isnt that the truth. ;D

[FloridaBoy]

I think the allure that Z has for me is that it is a so darn well done miniature approach by many manufacturers the fact that such a tiny item can be so realistic is amazing.  I have had this thing about miniatures since 1953, when i considered Lionel miniatures, then as I grew older, then HO, then N and now Z.  A few years back, Model Railroader had this big deal article about the "smallest" scale which I read with interest until I saw that the trains were like 1/500 or something, and total attention to proportion, of course was lost, and so was I. 

I love wearing my opti-visors and just looking at MicroTrains cars and locos and they are nothing short of trememdous.  I almost left the hobby/scale when I got some Marklin stuff from a friend, and found it to be out of proportion, not true to its prototype, and now have sold off just about everything.  I plan to run MT or equivalent stuff only from this point on. 

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[FloridaBoy]

There was another point covered in this topic that to me warrants a thought and a comment.  That is, getting some type of inspiration to model the scale or not from looking at layouts.

I am an old opinionated F##@$#T who over the years is sort of a busybody, so I get to see a lot of layouts from clubs, to museums, to homes.  First, I enjoy every layout I looked at, for it is work product of a person or persons' creativity and hard work, and no matter what the skill and workmanship level are, I respect the fact that the modelers made the effort, because it ain't that easy. 

But looking back, I probably got inspiration from about 3 layouts during all those years, maybe 4 tops.  Why, because although I have never seen the George Selios or John Allen layouts in person, that is what I would like to achieve, real grime, rust, dirt and rustic.  Even my last "big layout" drew awards and recognition from others, and it was my effort, the finished product to me just wasn't the "classic" I hoped it would be. 

I get ideas and tips from others looking at their layouts, but again, my inspiration comes from the models themselves, mostly the locos and rolling stock, but also the structures, vehicles, people landscaping stuff, but here I am on another layout at the scenery stage, and I am stocking up on the earthtones, deeply saying to myself, Selios, here I come!!!  But I know the best I can do is OK, but not the state of the art of others.  I can do my best and enjoy where I am. 

As for Z, again, that miracle is in the fact that an electric, geared, motor can be put in such a small receptacle which looks realistic to a train, and respond to commands.  When you get down and look deep in a layout scene, it just gets cooler the smaller it is. 

Since my Z and my N sit next to each other in my living room console, my plan of attack is to use one layout as practice for the other when building scenery.  That way, I can use my scenery material right down to the last crumb.  Geeeeshhh, I hate to waste stuff I paid so much for. 

Right now, I can run trains on both layouts, which is a heck of a way to start the day with a cup of coffee, listening to the TV news in the background, and it puts a unique perspective on a retired guy's day. 

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman