Putting a Z Scale Layout in the Back Yard of a Garden-Scale House

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

If I have a Garden-scale train layout in my back yard, could I get away with putting a Z-scale layout in the back yard of one of the G-scale houses, suggesting that the G-scale house has its own G-scale layout in its yard?

Would the raios be close enough, or would the big boys mock me for not being true to scale?

2

I think it would look neat. The problem I see is the electronics of Z are not designed for outdoor use…

Good luck,

Richard

3

Thanks! I wouldn’t leave it outside! :wink:

4

Remember rule 1.

An interesting idea… Love to see some photos when done.

David

5

I agree, it would be neat. However, I think the Z scale trains would be about twice as big as a G scale train on a G scale layout. Feel free to correct my math if it is incorrect:

G scale = 1:22.5

Z scale = 1:220

220/22.5 = 9.77 which would be a little over twice as big as 22.5

Scott

6

I was going to suggest T gauge, which is 1:400 nominal and ‘in the ballpark’…

7

Never heard of T guage!

8

At the NMRA show years ago in Philly, there was a G scale indoor setup on display and one house had a Z scale train set up running around the yard as a ride-on scale size train, it worked out pretty well.

T is nearly half the size of Z. That it runs is almost a miracle. All displays of it I have seen have been simple loops. I doubt you could operate with it, but for a display in the backyard of a G scale house - it should work.

–Randy