I’m interested in building one of those briefcase layouts. Do any of you model Z scale?
pax[C):-)]
I have a Marklin Z scale set. CB&Q of course. I am planning on incorporating it into my HO layout as a small scale excersion train for kids to ride on.
I still think that even after all of these years Z scale is more of a novelty than a scale for serious modelers. N is large enough to have enough detail to be useful.
Big Boy,
Don’t say that to the Europeans. There are probably as many modelers in Z as there are in HO or N over there. Not much O gauge that I’m aware of.
pax[:D]
Big Boy, you obviously have not looked into Z scale recently. To Joe, yes, there are 1000s of Z scalers out there and they are doing some serious Z scale modeling. And no, they are not all Europeans. For those who are interested in Z scale and interested in US prototype, loco choices are growing daily. C44s, SD45s, SD40-2s, SD40T-2s, E8s, F45s, PA1s, GS3, GS4, GG1s, F7s, Mikado, Pacifics and more are available. Just today, Z scale F59PHIs were released. We should see a new GP this year and more modern diesels next year. Micro-Trains is releasing Z scale Gundersons. Plus numerous other manufacturers are quickley expanding their lines. It is a great time to be in Z scale. Yes, I am very active in Z scale. I am also the editor and publisher of the world’s largest Z scale magazine. I would be happy to send a sample issue to you and others to share just what is happening in the Z world. You can also check out www.ztrack.com for an idea.
You really should have a look at what’s out there in Z, from user layouts to the new offerings from various manufacturers… it might surprise you! I believe you’ll discover Z is well past it’s novelty phase.
There are many extremely serious modellers in Z scale all over the world with layouts ranging from micro to massive. And serious manufacturers with high quality product, more and more all the time. This scale is growing by leaps and bounds. Do a web search on Z scale and check out what folks are doing, you may be pleasantly surprised.
But be careful. When people do this they can get bitten by a little critter called a Zedbug (also pronounced Zeebug). If this should happen to you, then welcome to Z!
Big_Boy,
The Best of Show at NTS 2001 in St. Louis went to a Z scale layout - that fit into three full-sized suitcases, and has over 10 scale miles of track in three interconnected, multi-track loops, along with dozens of turnouts and even a turntable. The modeler is on his way to achieving Master Model Railroader by next year, and he’s done it all in Z. If you can’t see the detail, it’s there - but you may need to get better glasses or Lasik so you can see properly (probably not a bad idea if you drive, anyway! 
Check out photos of work that’s been done in Z here (you may have to join the group to get into the Photos area, but it’s simple to join):
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/z_scale/lst
Oh, and a Japanese guy scratch-built a Big Boy in Z, and it even runs! Photos of it are in the above section.
All Z BeZt,
Jim
I really wish someone would have told me that Z scale was just a novelty before I invested in over 150 PRR Hoppers, 6 F7A-B powered combos, 8 Mikados, 2 kitbashed decapods and M1Mountains, and all of the structures and scenery to re-create the PRRs Elmira branch. I would try to do it in N or HO, but I would need to sell my house to buy pole barn to fit it in. Z is a viable alternative. There are multiple choices for rollingstock from transition era to modern. New manufacturers are entering the market regularily. Micro-Trains has decided to up its efforts in the scale as has Marklin. Z is the smallest scale that is growing every day. Of course, there aren’t as many product offerings as there are in N. Yet. But it’s coming.
Fact or fiction regarding Z scale? The following are comments The Rock has read or heard about Z scale:
- Engines are generally unreliable and don’t run well.
- Continual issues with track problems, keeping it clean etc.
- Extremely expensive.
- Not many dealers carry Z scale.
- Coupler problems, not compatible etc.
- Marklin is now produced in China.
Please do not consider the above as criticism. As far as The Rock is concerned, Z scale is as legitimate as any of the other scales.
Hi Joe, we are more than many imagine 
Z scale is now much more
than a briefcase scale but however here is another briefcase example from an Italian craftsman:
http://www.theprez.it/wine2.jpg
http://www.theprez.it/wine10.jpg
http://www.theprez.it/wine11.JPG
Or this my desktop layout:
http://www.theprez.it/zscale.html
Ciao,
Alex
Gee, all it takes is one snide remark on my part, and a dozen Z scalers come out of the woodwork. It’s nice to see you are all awake, even if you don’t say much. Welcome to the forum gang, in the future don’t be so shy. You might want to make some more noise, because I don’t recall seeing too many articles about Z in MR.[swg]
I guess it has been a while since I looked, sorry. 13 years ago I worked in a hobby store, back then we didn’t bother to carry any Z, few American prototypes, few manufacturers, and expensive. Simply no demand. So, can you fit DCC recievers in it yet?
One small thought here, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but maybe part of the image and perception problem with Z is that people keep putting it in siutcases and briefcases. That certainly strikes ME as novel.
In addition to Z scale, I also have experience in O gauge and N scale. As The Rock stated above, Z scale is just as legitimate as the others. You can’t believe the empire you can build in a limited space. I haven’t been active in Z the past couple of years. Having renewed my interest recently, I was amazed to see how much it has grown in the past two years. It’s highly unlikely that the other scales have seen such growth in the same period.
Bigboy, take a look at the links that have been posted. You might be suprised. And come join us at the Z scale Yahoo forum and get involved.
Rock,
- Engines are reliable and do run well - look it up in Guniess book of records: longest running model train was in Z scale (something like 30 days without stopping)
- Track issues - same as any other scale - just smaller! (grin) Uses same track as Nn3 (or I should say that Nn3 uses Z scale track)
- Extremely Expensive - more expensive? Yes. But all scales have their $1000 brass locos. Cheapest locos in Z go for under $100.
- Not many dealers - this is an issue, but there is at least one dealer in just about every major city - and plenty of help on the web (better than most scales)
- Coupler problems? None.
- SOME Marklin items are now made in China. So is everything else - including all other scales.
Any reason to avoid Z? No. Details are FANTASTIC (Need a jewelers loop to see them all) and you can build so very much more layout in the same space.
So what are the drawbacks? Well, none of the ones that existed 5 to 10 years ago. Z has the same issues that all other “non mainline” scales have (IE everything except N and HO) but Z has grown quite a bit in the past few years.
Thousands model in Z now, and it is one of the few scales that is actually GROWING in popularity (younger guys seem to like Z) so it really is the scale of the future - and the present!
Best,
-Rob
Thanks for all of the responses and pictures. Very nice! Does anyone sell ready made layouts? I seem to recall seeing one from Marklin on ebay.
[:)]
Yes, Z is out in force. I am a long time N Scaler that was bitten last year after winning some NMRA AP points for a scratch built NP caboose…just to see if I could do it.
I started by purchasing an NP Mikado, and a few cars, which runs almost as good as my Kato N Scale Mikes, and the next thing I know, I’m subscribed to Z Track, Hand Laying code 40 Z Scale turnouts, running flywheel equipt SD-45’s that run as good Kato’s do, and am totally committed to Z Scale now.
It’s just like the 1988 turning point in N Scale when Kato started cranking out GP38-2’s and a gut could actually enjoy running N Scale… Well now those days are here for Z Scale. It’s time to hop on board and give Z another looksee! [:D]
-Robert
Hi Big_Boy,
Understandable. A lot of progress can happen in 13 years and even as recently as 2 years. Many folks now model in more than 1 scale, i’m into both Z and N. Different layouts, although there are many who use multiple scales on the same layout as amusement park scenes or forced perspective.
Yes, Z-DCC is now very do-able and a number of enthusiasts are doing it. For just a few of many fine examples have a visit to
http://hometown.aol.de/redrockrail/English/Digital.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Z_Scale_DCC
As for briefcases, Z gets put in them simply because it CAN be put in them. But it is not limited to briefcases. At one time it may have been considered a novelty or novel, and at one time my first impression was almost the same simply because i had never seen it before. But remember that Zedbug i warned you about? [:D]
So when you hand lay track in Z, you glue the rails right? Spike heads are too big, and ties are to small. I did look at the photos, and I must say that I like the Milwaukee stuff. Is that all Micro Trains?
So let me get this straight. 4 people make their second post when we talk Z, and 4 make their first post, 2 of whom joined today just to get in on the discussion. Not bad for a days work here in the train world. [swg]
By the way, my eyesight is pretty good for 43, and the closer I get the better I see.[;)]
Keep in mind that because Z scale trains are as small as they are there is not as much surface area of the wheel coming in contact with the rail. This means that a fleck of dust or dirt is much larger proportionally, and can have a much bigger effect than it would with a larger train. Sorry, but that is a fact of life that can’t be changed. However it is possible to deal with it and cope, as all of our Z scale friends will attest.[swg]
Hi Joe,
Marklin and Noch are 2 sources that i know of, the Noch are pre-formed kits
www.noch.com , but this site seems to be having some problems at the moment. It is not written in English, so you may want to do a google search and choose ‘translate’