I am looking for some help / ideas in building a large Z gauge layout. I have found lots of shelf layouts and coffee table layouts but nothing large. I have a space that is ~10’ x 10’ with an extra leg that is another 15’ x 4’.
I would like to build it in sections so that while I can have a large main line, I could possible break it into smaller section, each devoted to a theme (European, America, Steam, Diesel, etc.)
Any suggestions for good resources and/or web sites would be helpful.
A few months ago MR featured a Z scale layout that was about 10 x 10. It was broken into 4 scenes featuring different seasons if I remember correctly. The problem with large Z layouts is the lack of products available. More are always coming out, but it may be hard to find enough different things to fill a large space.
Look at plans for larger scales. A nice layout designed for N scale could be spectacular in Z scale if you don’t reduce it in size. Just use closer (appropriate) track spacings and perhaps add a track or two in yards. An HO plan could be reduced to 3/4 or 2/3 original size.
Don’t overlook modular and sectional plans, especially if you go with different themes.