Z scale is probably the scale I here the least about. I mean, I here more about OO gauge than Z. Does anyone out there have a Z scale layout?[?] I think it’s a cool scale[:)] but it’s really rather, well, tiny.
I model in N-scale because it is small, and I’d try Z if there was more variety available. I suspect that it hasn’t gained its share of interest because even though it is small, it really isn’t that much smaller than N-scale. The trade off isn’t worth it; most Z-scale track plans can be executed in N, with only minor modifications. The exception might be the very compact portable layouts, like those that fit into a briefcase, which quickly prove unsatisfying.
What might get me to try Z-scale is a selection of hood-unit diesels; I have been paying attention to the advertisements by Z-scale producers and it is encouraging to see an SD-unit available. The other missing thing (for me at least) are open hoppers. But, ultimately, considering how much I enjoy locomotive kitbashing, I’d shy away from the scale just because my skills aren’t quite that good.
Is it me, or do Z scale cars look longer than the prototypes they represent? (e.g. a 40’ boxcar in Z looks like a 50’ boxcar; the F-7s look like E units.)
Yes, I’m in Z scale. 2 stages:
-first a small diorama showing BNSF in California (close to Amboy, east of Barstow)
-a future layout, soon beginning, showing the Tehachapi Pass, in a 6.50 x 4 meter-room (sorry my american fellows, but I can’t accustom with inches, x/16 of inches, etc…, I prefer decimal and metric system!).
Why Z? Because I want to operate very long trains (80+ cars) that are fascinating for myself (in Europe freight trains seldom have more than 20-25 cars…), and I want broad curves (50cm / 20" minimum radius on my diorama and my future layout).
You will tell me: N is very good for this! Yes, but for me it’s…too big! And I couldn’t manage with my purpose with N scale…
You will tell me: Z is too expensive…True, but less expensive than purchasing an aviation hangar to have a similar layout in HO…
Cheers
Dominique
Consider Micro-Trains stuff: it’s exactly at scale.
I have noticed that models proportionately look different depending on which scale they are modeled at, even if they are exact reproductions. My high-nose SD-45’s seem short in N-scale, even though I know that they are Kato units and hence accurate. I think it’s a subjective thing, the way your mind adapts to the false scale and projects certain expectations for size. It’s related to a bit of architectural jargon that refers to buildings as being “human-scaled”; there are certain indefinable givens about the way humans relate to their environment, which is basically genetic. I think our model railroad scales are subject to some of the same psychological prejudice, and that some scales will always be better for certain applications than others, regardless of market availability or technological capacity.
I was thinking a lot of these thoughts when I visited the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry’s $3.5 million show layout. It is built in HO scale, while the older original one was in O. The quality of the modeling is well beyond what was done on the first one, and the new layout is a better display in that it conveys a story about the railroad, and yet I came away from it feeling that the O scale layout was so much better, precisely because of how it related to the viewers. Museum-distance is much greater than home-layout-distance, or even club-layout-distance, in terms of how one interacts with the layout.
One way that the HO scale layout did impress me, though, is with the complete Chicago downtown area, with its buildings that tower over you. But, in O scale, instead of just seeing major building masses, you’d have seen more of the architectural detailing, which I assure you is there and is faithful to the real Chi-town structures. I was leaning in a LOT more than anybody else, to feast my eyes on the details.
I would love to see more layouts done in Z, especially some that isolate lonely mainlines amongst vast stretches of scenery, as opposed to the usual 24"
Yes, I am in Z-scale too. First of all for the size and the possibility to create a layout in a very small space.
I model in North American style, and in the last years a lot of more products have been available.
Modelling in Z-scale let you model the landscape, compared to bigger scales where the model details is more important. And I like the landscape modelling! (But the details on the small models are also very good compared to bigger scales).
If you are interested, follow my layoutbuilding here on this link:
http://www.platelayer.com/mj/zanlegg/z_layout_e.asp
Regards
Svein-Martin
I do both N and Z. The availablitity of Z products is constantly growing as more hobbyists discover the joys of this scale. It’s not for everyone, nor is any other scale; but it does add another welcome choice.
Oh yes folks model Z. Z is one of the faster growing segments of the model railroad hobby. True, it is not as popular as the other scales, but more and more model railroaders are discovering it. Our largest growth is operators wanting to run longer trains in more prototypical fashion. Runnning a 100 car train is a spare room is possible and happening!
Today, Ztrack Magazine and the Yahoo Z_forum reach over 1000 enthusiasts. New manufacturers are entering the scale. In the last year alone, we have seen SD45s, F45s, SD40-2s, SD40T-2s, and F40PHs released. Also due out by the end of the year are GS3 and GS4 steam locos. Pennzee and Märklin both offer three bay hoppers. Micro-Trains showed preproduction Z scale Gunderson double stacks at Train Fest the other weekend. Plus we are hearing of more offerings to come from a number of manufacturers.
If you think Z scale cars and locos look ‘larger’ compared to other scale versions, you may be correct. The reason for this is that Z scale locos and cars are produced true to scale. Other scales compress locos and cars in order to improve operations. No need to worry about this in Z scale.
If you would like to learn more on Z scale, I encourage involvment with the Yahoo Z_Scale forum. Also, visit the Ztrack web site, www.ztrack.com. The photos on the site including those on the covers of the issues should offer an idea on what is happening in Z scale.
I’m new to Z but in three months have fallen in love with it. I’ve even managed to impress my friends who thought I was going crazy when I told them I’d rediscovered my favorite old hobby after a lapse of 35 years! I have very little room available for a layout but my baseboard is 200 x 70 cms (6’ 6" x 2’ 6" approx) which is ENORMOUS in Z scale! I can run two trains on separate tracks and am looking forward to setting up working overhead catenary so I can operate my steam or diesel locos independently from the electric locos. I’m modelling a post-war period in Europe until about 1970-75 and constructing buildings and trees etc from scratch because I’m not satisfied with the selection or the style of commercially available Z kits. And that’s the most valuable part of Z modelling as far as I’m concerned - your own imagination and creativity plays a much larger part in the hobby than in other scales where everything can be easily purchased preformed. And being able to run l-o-n-g trains is a novelty I’ll never tire of! When I had a British 00 layout, I could only manage a loco and three carriages. Now in Z I can see realistically full-length trains being hauled by excellently detailed locos. I’m going to put photos of my progress on my website at www.kolumbus.fi/stephenb/z/ - there should be something there by Monday Nov 17, 2003.
I do.
I was pretty hard into HO and had a 5 x 11 foot layout with all of my staging tracks laid etc. A coupe loops to run trains too…
Bought a house, half the size.
My HO is all boxed up and I’ve been into Z bigtime for the last 5 or 6 years. I can’t say that I like it better than HO, but it will be hard to go back.
Z requires a bit more patience than HO, for sure. But you can get some really well running trains going.
I love it !!!
Ted LaMar
When I got back into Model Railroading a few years ago I started in Z scale sort of by accident. I inherited a z scale starter set from my wife’s grandafather and fell instantly in love with it. Now N scale looks huge to me!
I like that you don’t have to worry about scale compression and that in the same space that you would have an HO layout crammed so full of track as to look unrealistic, you can have a Z scale layout with realistic proportions of scenery to track and run 100+ car trains.
I am also a railfan and have noticed that you usually see prototype trains in operation from a great distance, not close up, so Z scale looks more realistic to me also. No, you may not see all the details (that many Z scale models actually have now) but if you get that close to a real train you better be on the lookout for the RR police because you are trespassing.
I am currently building a modular setup that will allow me to have the same proportions as a full size layout in a larger scale, but still allow me to store it away when not in use AND use it for shows as well as a home layout.
Z Scale is growing fast. Just since last year the number of active z scale clubs in North America has grown from three to twelve (maybe more now). In my personal experience I have found the z scale community to be much more open to helping novices than either HO or N scale groups that I have expressed interest in in the past. Also, there seems to be a higher proportion of women in Z scale than in any other scale except maybe Garden Railroading.
Randy Smidt
Though my dream layout is HO scale Western Maryland in 1970, I’ve been bitten by the European-bug about 20 years ago. I started to aquire Euro N-scale but found out too late that switching (“shunting” in Euro-speak) in N-scale with Rapido couplers is “iffy” (N-scalers: correct me if I’m wrong!). Converting Euro equipment to MT couplers is allllll custom work - there are no MT drop-in couplers. That, plus the Euro-style buffers would make life especially bad since the custom installed couplers would have to stick out pretty far. What to do? No room for HO Euro at present. Z was the only practical alternative. Though Z-scale Marklin couplers are hideous, a smart fellow in Germany devised a scheme to make them magnetic…just like MT/Kadee. Problem solved: compact + Euro + a proven method for coupling/uncoupling + Z-scale DCC is available. 
Anyone wanna’ buy my N-scale Euro stuff?
Hi Folks!
Yes I model Z scale! It is just the right size for me to run long trains.
My favorite is American Railroading and so I decided to build my Red Rock Railroad layout, this shows about 1 km track length on 6 m layout.
There are of course less products available as on N or HO but just using your fantasy and skills to make just the missing items. My locos are running DCC. It is raelly fun to run 40 to 60 car trains on my layout. Check out my homepage!
Highball
Kurt[:)]
I model in Z because, like many, I first saw it in a shop 5 years ago when I was looking for something to put under the tree during the holidays. I was looking at HO and was fascinated when I saw how small and detailed N scale was (I hadn’t ‘played’ with trains since my son was given an HO by his grandfather 25 years past). The proprietor also showed me a Z scale Micro-Trains UP set and I was ‘hooked, past the gills.’
The details and accuracy of the Z scale was amazing. I could now picture a layout which would fit into the area I had available: 30" X 40".
I model mainly in U.S. RR, specifically Santa Fe and SP, because my uncles, grandfathers, etc. were all ATSF employees and I grew up listening to the SP build trains all night using the whistle signal system which preceded radio communication.
Is it expensive? Yes, compared to many other scales, but the detail is always as good as or better than the more pricey HO and N models and the performance is never compromised to accommodate a low dollar production demand. In other words, you get what you pay for.
In the last 3 months alone, the amount of new Z scale products released by manufacturers is growing by leaps and bounds.
Take a look at the Yahoo Z_forum and see what’s new. Visit the www.Ztrack.com website. You’ll see photos and get a better idea of what’s happening with “Z.”
Try “Z” and never look back.
Lee in Alaska
Yes I do, and I like it because it is so small. You can have your trains running through a lot of landscape and you don’t need a whole basement for the layout. You can also run very long trains. The Z community is growing very rapidly and lots of companies add Z to their lines. It is becomming more and more easy to get buildings and the likes for american prototypes now, then it was a couple of years ago.
Happy days,
Anke
I’m a Z-scaler too. There, I’ve said it. That’s not always easy. I’ve been to many stores and shows where proponents of other scales are almost eager to thumb their noses at me. Well, darnit, Z scale trains ARE cute, AND I can run passenger trains without the goofy, stunted coaches other scales (even the mighty HO) require.
As for the variety of existing pre-fabricated product available. Availabiltiy of such items IS growing rapidly. And what’s wrong with actually making something yourself?
I’m not nearly as bitter as I sound, but I do find the scale snobbery in this hobby to be incredibly odd.
Yes there are many a Z scaler out there. As stated in Ztrack1’s reply above, vist the listed resouces and you will find a wealth of information. Available stock (meaning all items required for modeling) is growing daily.
Z is wonderful as it does not take up much space.
KLWZScale
www.pobox.com/~klwebb and click on the train layout button on the left.
klwebb, your layout’s looking good! I model ho myself, but we have one thing in common,
GO GATORS!!!
Dave
Yes I and a whole bunch of other guys do. Why Because it a challenge. You want shake a box get a train go to HO (horribly oversized) or N (Nerdy). Finally we have producers in Z who are making Craftsman kits. Laser cut wood, photo etched brass. Is it moe expensive, probably it is right now, but as we grow and volume build up, prices will come down. I am getting ready to move into a new house this summer. Bought it specificly becaue it has a basement. I can have a whole country or almost a continent in it.
Ed Scullin
Ridgecrest Ca