More new to Z questions

cbg Dec 29, 2013

  1. cbg

    cbg TrainBoard Member

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    I acquired a Marklin Z scale Orient Express for Christmas and would like to create a small oval, or maybe double oval, to run this. Don't know where to start so I'll start with my questions:
    1. Is this set decent or is it a shelf decoration?
    2. What radius curve should I look at to keep this small, but still look okay when running these long cars?
    3. What type of power is needed? I have an N scale DC power pack, but have seen battery units available.
    4. Is there a starter set recommended?


    Thank you,

    CBG
     
  2. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

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    That Orient Express is a darn nice set!! If you don't like it I'll give you a fair penny for it :)
    I'd recommend checking out the 9V battery packs on Ebay... there are some in both the N and Z scale categories. In fact, Zscalemonster has some good deals on those as well!
    Radius question I can't answer 100% accurately, but it's pretty tight-radius capable becasue those marklin standard radius sets all come with small ovals. I am certain another brother here will chime in! If you decide to replace the couplers with Rokuhan knuckles for closer coupling, it will exponentially increase the looks of that set while traversing all those curves and straights!
     
  3. cbg

    cbg TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the reply and tips. Hadn't thought about the couplers, I'll look into that for sure. I don't know at this point if the loco even runs so getting the track and power is priority. Zscalemonster, what a site. If not careful I could stray from Nscale pretty easily.
     
  4. toy4x4

    toy4x4 TrainBoard Member

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    I am confused about the car link. You plan to convert them to z scale? Make your own?
     
  5. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

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    toy, if you're talking about coupler conversions? I'm referring to the oversized hook couplers found at either end of Marklin cars. Awful things. Go check out google images, search "rokuhan z scale coupler" and "marklin z scale coupler" independently, and you'll see the difference :)
     
  6. toy4x4

    toy4x4 TrainBoard Member

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    It was in reference to his #2 question. Link was to a Ebay HO long car.
     
  7. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    There are two things to consider for minimum radius:: the physical limitations, and what looks right. Your set should work with 145mm curves, but IMHO the long cars look a bit silly on such tight curves. I'd suggest at least 195mm. It makes you layout a bit larger, but I think you'll like the way they run better.

    If you don't know if the loco runs, consider that Marklin has had problems with oil hardening in the locos and you should check there isn't a waxy sort of build-up in the drive train and if necessary clean and re-lubricate.

    Mark
     
  8. cbg

    cbg TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you markm. I'll go with a larger radius so it looks better on the track. I usually touch a 9 volt battery to the pick up wheels on n scale locos to check basic running, but I don't know if I should do that on z, or if 9 volt would even work. Good tip on the oil hardening, I'll check that also. The only reason I don't know it runs is,well, no track-no power just train so far...
     
  9. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

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    The 9-volt battery will work just fine for Z scale also.
     
  10. DPSTRIPE

    DPSTRIPE TrainBoard Supporter

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    Toy,
    Some of those embedded links are just automated advertising links. They were not put there by the person that posted the message. The advertising gremlins llok at the text and look for keywords that match things listed in their client sites. For example, the words "small oval" in the original post link to small oval dollhouse baskets on Amazon. I'm sure some links will appear in this post even though I didn't put any here.
    Dan S.
     

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