Z scale mine cars?

[Maletrain]

I have been considering using Z scale track (with ties respaced) to simulate mine gauge (~40") track in N scale so I could automate the mine to tipple part of a layout in N scale.

I would like to find some N scale mine cars that run on Z gauge track, but have never found any.  Z scale mine cars would probably do just as well for an N scale mine, but I have never found any of those, either.

Even Z scale models of European planked coal cars could probably be adpated (e.g., remove buffers and couplers) to look OK for this purpose, but I am not seeing any of those in Z scale, either.

So, does anybody here on TRW know of a set of cars (that will actually roll on wheels) that could be adapted to to look like Eastern U.S. coal mine cars with Z gauge wheel sets?

[keeper]

Something like that?

https://www.shapeways.com/product/MS978FZUA/nn3-tipper-x-16?optionId=3702714&li=marketplace

[Maletrain]

Something like that?

https://www.shapeways.com/product/MS978FZUA/nn3-tipper-x-16?optionId=3702714&li=marketplace

That isn't the style I am looking for, but there are other styles available as 3D prints that look right.

The problem with 3D printed mine cars is that they don't actually roll on wheels, if the wheels are printed on.  And, I have not found wheels small enough to add to those prints.  T scale wheels would probably be close to what I need, but I have never seen any T scale wheels.

[Chris333]

Those prints use a single Z scale truck under them.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sSeQMet3zkX8x7nLA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BVe6JJqNhzWBGwWU8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R9Q4otZoHGBCgcx48
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bVC61ZnKgn691ufY6

He drew them up for me a long time ago.

[Maletrain]

Those prints use a single Z scale truck under them.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sSeQMet3zkX8x7nLA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BVe6JJqNhzWBGwWU8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R9Q4otZoHGBCgcx48
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bVC61ZnKgn691ufY6

He drew them up for me a long time ago.

A couple of those prints look promising.  The wheels are too big for scale, but they don't look all that bad.  Are they just Z scale 33" or 28" wheels?

[Chris333]

33inch

[porkypine52]

I'm thinking it would just as easy to scratch build some mine cars.  Plastic sides, plastic wheels attached to simple axles.  Made your own wheels.  And link & pin type couplers.  Remember these things are gonna be small.