Hello guys, as I am from Germany it is very hard to get accessories for American Z scale prototypes. Most other Germans collect and build European layouts ... I saw some F.F. Ertl die-cast trucks and trailors on eBay. They are in 1/256 scale, run greatly on their rubber tires and have very exact prints both on trailor and tractor . They come in small transparent boxes with an enclosed magnifyer. Don't compare them with herpa models or Marklin. I have already about 30 different of them, but where can I get more? To put them on Alan's spine cars you have to rasp the trailors king-pins to a smaller caliber. Then they look really great. I have five USF trailors put on the spine cars. Carsten
I have never seen those trucks and trailers available at shops here, but I did see them on ebay, so I bought 4 of them. They look good for Z Scale. They only show up on ebay a couple times a year. -Robert
I think they are actually made as promotional items. MZZ makes a peterbuilt tractor trailer, and Nansen Street Models makes a tractor trailer. but both of these are unpainted. There is an ABF double with Pup trailers for sale on ebay right now (just search for ABF) like the ones you are talking about. I also have three sets of the ABF doubles that I would be willing to sell. The cardboard boxes are gone, but the plastic display boxes are there. I'm not sure about the magnifiers. I think my nephew liked those more than I did. Dan S.
Carsten: For the past 8 years, I have been forwarding eBay and store-bought stuff to folks all over the world. I do NOT charge anything for this service. Its just another way of "paying back" the hobby for all the fun Z scale has given me. Africa, Denmark, Australia, Italy, England...no problem. Email me if you want something bought, or just forwarded/shipped from eBay sellers. I'm "Texas-Trader" on eBay, look me up. Many Americans think its "hard work" to mail internationally. Its not. You have to fill out one extra green form for customs. Big deal. The "fixed price" International Priority Mail service at www.usps.com is outstanding. It doesn't matter how much something weights, only that it fits in the special envelope and the envelope closes. You have your "stuff" in 3 days. Fast. Cheap. I shipped one to Denmark with "Radio Shack" stuff in it so full that it looked like a balloon. <smile> But it closed. I've learned to over-wrap "stuff" in aluminium foil since some coutries have "thieft in the mail" problems. Sad. Very sad. If they can't see it, they don't steal it, it seems. I can ship lead weights, or Z scale people, at the same price. Check out the USPS website. Email me at www.zbendtrack_@_aol.com anytime I can help. Regards, Bill K.
When you compare a 48' scratch built 1:220 Tractor Trailer to that of the 48' RTR metal 1:256 Tractor Trailer, their is a big difference in length and width to include height. Go figure! The Metal RTR Tractors and Trailers are cute, but not for me! Will post more photos as this project of 48' & 53' "Z" scale trailers nears completion. Tim
Tim, the trailers really look great. It took me a while to see all the parts you put together. It looks seamless.
Nice job on the trailers, Tim! Did you scratch build those wheels? They look very close to the wheels on the Make My Model trucks. I'm still tinkering with the wheels on mine. I'm trying using a 3/16 hole punch on some of that rubber magnet tape - it's good for the rubber wheels, but I haven't quite got the rims figured out yet. - Phil
Phil, The Ford Aeromax Truck is that of Searails. They are the most realistic Z scale truck I can find that is being produced right now. I used a Dremel tool to grind away the wheels and the back chassis. I replaced them with the chassis and wheels from a MakeMyModel Dump Truck. Now the Ford Aeromax looks more realistic. The new rear chassis and front wheels raised the truck to a more believeable height. All I have to do now is glue one of the Ottawa fifth wheel and mudflap brass etchings I have. Then paint it. As for the trailer, which is nearing completion, I used a wheel set carved from one of Searails's 53' container chassis. The wheels are the same diameter as the MakeMyModel wheels on the dump truck. I have some carved styrene wheels that I made for my 53' Roadrailers last year. All I need to do is modify them for the new trailers! Using the magnetic strips to make tires. Good idea. As for rims, perhaps, instead of punching a hole thru the magnetic strip you should look for a leather working tool to make an impression that resembles a rim in the tire. It might work if the magnetic strip will hold the pattern. Never know! The photo in my last post was of the 48' trailer I started scratchbuilding on Sunday. I didn't take a photo of the rear doors, but they are indeed detailed. Hinged, door locks, tail lights. The bumper will either be cast resin or etched brass. The front trailer supports will be etched brass. I plan on making three molds of the 48' and three of the 53' trailers. When I cast them I should get three casting per hour. I need to purchase another pressure pot so I can alternate casting times at 30 minute intervals. Every thirty minutes I'll be mixing resin and pouring resin into molds. Hopefully within the next 30 days I can have a good supply built up! Can hardly wait to see what they look like riding on Alan Curtis' 89' Flat & WSpine cars! Stay tuned! Tim
Yeah, I want some of those trailers too please. The SeaRails Ford Aeromax looks much better now that you replaced the European style chassis on it. I still think it looks a little small for true 1/220th. Do you have one of the Mack CH600 tractors that came on the Marklin flatcars? Those are the most accurate NA semi-tractors available in ZScale. I think MZZ did the masters for them. They may not be current production, but still available here and there. Randy
I am going to buy some of that magnetic strip material and see if I can laser cut tires. My machine was designed for cutting rubber stamp material, so that magnetic rubber sheet might be goot too if it don't turn sticky. -Robert
The 1:256 ABF truck I bought last year for $20 (and the bids for others were up to $40! ) was from: Trademark Models You can buy them there for $10-$15. Here is are two links: Trademark: http://www.wcinet.com/diecast/index.cfm basic Goofy search for "1:256 trucks" : http://www.zionantiquemall.com/page169/
I urgently need to do some web searching. I can't remember when the spline cars appeared on 1:1 railroads. I'm trying to match "18-wheeler" design (era) to "spline" era. Does anyone know the answer and save me some searching time? Thanks, Bill K.
