easing back into Z

Joe D'Amato Aug 16, 2014

  1. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

    1,749
    352
    38
    It's been awhile, but the Z bug is nipping at my toes again. Because of a number of unpleasant and unforeseen circumstances...stories best told over a few micro brews, I got involved in HO scale as social opportunities in Z scale vaporized. The local HO club here is great and the guys very accepting of my odd nature. Anyway, without anyone locally to share Z or N with for the most part I have had difficulty getting motivate to build something I could put all these structures I've been building on to, but now, I think with the show looming in November it would be nice to once again show Z there. I've though a lot about the layout I wanted to build and figured something appropriate for a show, and something I cold fold up would be the way to go. The Corkscrew Gulch layout featured in a back issue of Model Railroader fits the bill. Made for HON3 it has all the track and turnouts I need for show layout. Most importantly it has very little hidden track...a personal pet peeve with me. Not sure on the setting or the environment at the moment, but I want to use MTL Road Bed Track because of it's availability to me (and reasonable cost :) ) and use it as a challenge to make it look as good as possible with painting and blending. Looking at something about 2'x9'. Now, I got a pile of wood that needs my attention...updates to follow.

    Cheers

    Joe D
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Curn

    Curn TrainBoard Member

    751
    497
    31
    Joe,

    Glad to see you will be getting back into Z. The layout seems like it would make a nice modular design. Will you be building it to the Z-bend standards for large show layouts, or are you not interested in double mainlines? Don't feel bad about showcasing MTL flex if you need to. It's a good product too. I hope you don't have all the buildings you need, and can convince MTL to start making more laser kits. Either way, It's still a good time to be in Z. Please keep us updated.

    Best wishes,

    Matt
     
  3. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Joe,

    That looks like a fun build with some great opportunities for scenery and a nice mainline run.

    I am using "roadbed track" in a slightly different scale and look forward to your techniques. I have been perfecting mine and like it pretty well but I'm always looking for ideas.

    Looking forward to your progress.
     
  4. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Glad to see you back ! I can help with the brews :)

    It would be great if you brought that new layout up to Portland next August for the NTS.
     
  5. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

    3,191
    1,211
    64
    Looks like a fun layout! great to see you back again! You know I am a big fan of the MT track and I really enjoyed weathering and ballasting it. Not that I have to tell you but I hot glued mine in place once I had it where I wanted. I know some use nails then ballast, then remove the nails, but I have found that can leave slight dips in the track if the nail is pushed in a little too firm.
     
  6. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

    2,153
    653
    46
    Welcome back to Z, Joe. This HOn3 trackplan will perfectly fit with Z. ;-)

    Dom
     
  7. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

    389
    373
    22
    It's good to see you back in Z, Joe. Once bitten, the bug never goes completely away. We missed you.
     
  8. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

    1,491
    443
    33
    Was about time to turn up again looking forward
     
  9. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

    1,749
    352
    38
    Good day today...had a few hours to get the base built and started ramping foam on the curves. Straying from the plan a bit on the ends...no river crossings and the side with the overpass will have a long curved downward sloping trestle. I want to handle the inside of the curve with something other that the usual mountain so I may have some farm land or something different. Plaster filler is drying tonight.

    Joe
     
  10. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

    2,182
    777
    49
    Joe welcome back to the fold! I look forward seeing how the layout progresses.

    Rob
     
  11. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

    1,524
    1,033
    46
    Welcome back Joe!!!

    John
     
  12. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19
    Oh Boy - Hot Dog -- where do I send my Locos to get the D'Amato paint job? Didn't you say after the last ones you were ready for more? :eek:)

    Welcome back.

    ...don
     
  13. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    Welcome back Joe D. I am looking forward to your build.
     
  14. zscaler

    zscaler TrainBoard Member

    1,286
    157
    28
    I hear the talk. When you gonna get some pictures up here?
     
  15. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

    1,532
    80
    32
    Jeff, Joe should have it looking good for our show in November.....right Joe? The bug has been bugging me too for the past several months. My goal is to once again get back to building when school starts......only two weeks. Joe and I talked today and he was mum about his new project, but now that I know, I'll hold his feet to the fire and expect the same from him. Z is not dead, just tired, but I think the West coast folks will get the fire burning brightly in the next 12 months. NTS is fast approaching?
     
  16. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

    1,532
    80
    32
    Talked with Joe today at Railroad park and asked him about his new layout that he is working on. I told him he had plenty of time to get it finished by the Thanksgiving train show here in Medford. Let's see if he can rise to the challenge and get it done.
     
  17. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

    1,749
    352
    38
    Long week, but we have a holiday coming up and I've been banking supplies. Hopefully I can get some landscaping laid down before putting on the track.

    Joe
     
  18. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

    3,191
    1,211
    64
    Can't wait. I am full swing into football, but I like seeing the work done here. Motivates me for after thanksgiving.
     
  19. CLDDAVID

    CLDDAVID New Member

    4
    0
    6
    Hi Joe,
    As you get further along on the Z scale layout & you need some structures, please keep Creative Laser Design in mind.
    www.creativelaserdesign.com , we currently have 9 structures in Z scale, & a few more almost ready. Thank you & happy modeling, Dave
     

Share This Page