Well, I went to a train show in ATL today and of course, zero Z! I couldn't find even one vendor who had any Z much less a display. Too bad!
Ray, Actually, not too unusual. Dealers bring what they think will draw the most attention/sales and that generally isn't Z. It also helps if there is a Z scale layout at the show. The pick-up line I use at shows is : "I don't think you have anything I want...I model Z." It's surprising how often I get back: "Check our website." or "I have MTL back at the shop." This is how I met my current train store in Lodi. Mark
Yeah, today at the Plano (TX) show I had something along the lines of what Mark is saying. No Z apparent, but if you ask the question then something comes out from under the table or "back at the shop" as was mentioned. Still nothing I really needed though. In my case there were a few vendors that *did* have Z on display, but again nothing much of interest. I "reached" and bought a MTL 2-bay covered hopper to convert to a ballast car.
Mark: That's great that your local store keeps Z! Back when I started playing Z all my local shops would say the same line to me when I asked: "Z???? Why do you want those? Here's N scale..."
I did ask a few people if they had any Z, but no luck. Seemed like people were interested in Z, but Mark is right they have to bring what will most likely sell. The closest store to me that carries Z is about 45 minutes away and I'm not sure why the carry Z. The response is akin to z.scale.hobo's post. It'd just be cool to see a big Z layout in person like I've seen on youtube or even to just be able to see stuff in person before buying.
This is the way it has been since I started in Z in 1985. So few dealers want to carry the scale. I use to search out the hobby shops that listed Z in their ads, then when I called, the answer was almost always 'we can order that for you'. If there is a local hobby shop that you work with, but they don't carry Z, have them contact me. Since we distribute AZL, Rokuhan and Full Throttle Products, we are sort of a one stop shop for most Z. We are happy to work with small dealers, even if it is just to get products for one or two customers. My thought is once the dealer gets to know the products, they are more likely to stock products. If they stock it, there is a good chance they will get another customer or two. Rob Kluz
I'll definitely mention it next time I'm out there Rob. The Z they do have is mostly MTL and very limited.
Well, I went to the same train show today that I attended last year. I was surprised to find three tables with Z items! Unfortunately, they were pretty sparse, but hey, I'm still calling it a win!
It may seem unrelated but I think there would be/ will be, a nice boost to Z scale when there is a full line of realistic track and track pieces available for the modeler to actually build their ideas. Atlas may be it. Then some more variety of reliable power that can run at or near to scale speed. I think that those two strikes against the scale put the whole thing in stall mode. A little bit of up front missionary work in these areas could open up a whole new market for those who invest in it. That's why I find the new Atlas release, while "just track", to actually be quite huge. Add a reasonable variety of the peripheral components, maybe a release of a couple of more components every few months so folks can have faith that it's here or near and I think the whole thing will really take off. Here's hoping! A classic chicken vs: egg thing. We don't make any because nobody buys any. We don't buy any because nobody makes any. If somebody breaks that circle I do really believe it will take off.
Hi raytl, not sure where you might live in the southeast, but the October train show in Fletcher, NC (10/06/17 and 10/07/17 this year) often has a small bit of Z and in the last few years there's been a fine Z layout operated by a nice fellow who greatly enjoys the scale. https://fbe-nscale.com/events/shows/french-broad-enpire-autumn-rails-2017 I'm not sure what this year's show will bring, but odds are there will be at least a small amount of Z there.
I hope you are right tracktoo. Thanks for the info Hardcoaler. I'm in Atlanta. May have to make a trip up and swing through Asheville as well!
If you make the trip and want to do some railfanning, the Blue Ridge Southern often arrives at the NS yard in Asheville at around 11:30AM and departs an hour later. There's a nice (and free) parking lot down Depot Street (depot is long gone) on the east side of the yard that offers a safe spot for great pictures in nice light. These guys really pile on the power:
