Z Scale progress

[Teditor]

The Toowoomba Model Railway Club Inc. located in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia has a Z Scale Display layout in the club rooms, the name of this layout is ZeNkeville II, it is named for a disabled club Life member, Brian Zenke.

The capitalisation of the Z and the N came about due to the layout originally intended to run Nn3 or Z Scale with replaceable scenic elements.

The track was originally handlaid code 40, but suffered from too many heavy handed club members, as the layout was built on donations, a mix of Peco and Micro-Trains track was then used.

As the layout is now a permanent display in the clubrooms and is meant to show trains just running, turnouts have now been eliminated as have the removable track joining sections.

The club has never had to invest any money in the layout as it has always proceeded via member donations, but some track was needed as were some locos.

The layout is 2ft wide by 20ft long with an upper and lower separate loops, the Aussie dollar is pretty poor at the moment so we looked for the best deals, settling for two AZL GP38-2's (Brilliant they are too!), and Atlas Flex Track and Joiners.

I haven't heard any comments relating to the Atlas Track and although we are only using the Flex, it is incredible to work with as are the track joiners, with this track and locomotives I have a new and enriched respect for Z Scale.

Not being particularly computer/forum literate, I will endeavour to get some photos of the layout posted (maybe a couple here if I am lucky), we also have three N scale layouts, but that's another story.

Ted (Teditor) Freeman
From The Land Down Under [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[rray]

Nice work Ted. Look at the transition between the Peco and Atlas track. I think the Atlas track looks better, having a more realistic tie spacing, I would use that going forward for appearance.

I have Peco flex and MTL flex on some of my Z Bend Track modules, and the MTL looks better, but it's too stiff and so expensive. The Atlas flex looks like it matches MTL flex better, but having not actually seen it in person, is it really flexible, or more stiff?

I have accumulated 80 Atlas turnouts for my upcoming home layout. I wanted to get the turnouts before they are not available, because I can always get MTL flex if the Atlas flex becomes unavailable. Everyone elses turnouts in Z look bogus, big, and clunky.

As far as handlaid code 40, I do plan on using some mixed in with the Atlas code 55, using code55 for mainlines and yards, and code 40 for industrial sidings.

Keep up the great work and keep sharing pictures!

-Robert

[Teditor]

The Atlas Z Scale track is extremely flexible, it is designed with one side having spaces in the web for flexibility and one rail that slides very easy, some might like track that is more rigid (ie; Micro-Engineering), but I found this track a pleasure to work with.
 
The joiners are very accurately made, go on easy, but still hold tight. (Not a single drop of blood was shed while installing them!).

Ted (Teditor) Freeman
From The Land Down Under.

[rray]

Thanks for the update Ted, I'm going to use the Atlas flex for sure with your report. It looks good, and I love super flexible track, it makes laying a breeze.