The subject of this thread is exactly as it reads in its title... What is a cranky New Englander N scale guy doing in the Z section anyway? Well, Z scale is cool to put it bluntly. Over the past few years, I have collected a small collection of Z scale freight and passenger equipment, locomotives and track. All of it is Micro Trains. I have been toying with the idea of making a simple "shadow box" type layout for a number of years. The idea here is simple. While the layout itself is a simple oval, the viewer only sees the straight section that depicts a scene in a certain place in time. Something I'm doing with my B&M N scale layout. What I'm doing is nothing new, I realize that, but it sounds like a fun way to get some Z scale equipment running and on display at some of my favorite RR shows. I plan on running the CB&Q in 1968-69 and early BN, 1971-73. Location will be somewhere in my adopted home state of Illinois. Power will be all four axle Geeps and most of my rolling stock will be '40-'50 foot box cars, flat cars and hoppers. One scene I have thought about is Cameron Illinois which would include trains from both Santa Fe and CB&Q, later BN. The size is a bit different, and as I scribble on paper various places in Illinois, I find a length of 3 to 4 feet. What depth? Well What is the minimum radius of MT track I can use with the equipment I have on hand? The "Layout" will be made of foam board. I know that this doesn't sound strong, but it really is. It will be a type of "box" with a front viewing section, I'm toying with LED lighting and a timer to represent morning through night. Depending on where I decide to model, the layout might be more natural scenery versus structures. Jury is still out on this, yes it is true, not all of Illinois is flat! So in brief, here is the design goals of this wild hare: Small display that is around 18"W X 3'L to 2'W X 4'L or sized to easily be transported in Jess, my Jeep Wrangler. Late CB&Q to early BN in rural Illinois, maybe Oregon, Pollo, Cameron or Galesburg Illinois. Four axle Geeps for said railroads. Construction of layout base and "box" made of Foamcore/foamboard Track is all Micro Trains sectional with roadbed. Minimum turnouts, this is just a round and round, no operations. That said, a staging yard in the back unseen to only the operator allowing me to run two or three different trains maybe fun. Portable. Prototypical. Fun Again, a wild hare, and to you experts you probably think the Floquil has finally gotten to my head. I've laid everything out there, now await your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Who knows, this wild hare idea I have been tossing around for a while might just happen...
Welcome to the darkside Jim. I build coulple of shadow box layouts, and they are a lot of fun. For the radius, I recommend 195mm if you have the space. It will run anything from GP35's to SD40's.
I found this thread interesting, due to the fact I just got a Travel Trailer that I would love to be able to take some Model Trains with me but there isn't much room and didn't wish to add much more weight than my have to have items. This might just work. I usually model HO & N but as we all know there too large for that idea but z might just do it. Thanks for posting this Jim Wiggins. Best of luck with your new layout and thanks for the idea.
Jim, there was an article in RAILWAY MODELLER several years ago, from a fellow who had built an exhibition layout in OO (UK outline 1/78 rather than the 1/87 of HO) and he used foam core board. The weight isn't a problem - this gent could lift his OO layout on one finger - and, in Z, size shouldn't be. The dimensions of OO or HO might mean size is a problem, but he didn't find it so. Good luck with the project! Regards, Pete Davies
18" will be some small radii ends but 3' will give you lots of options for some switching industries. Check out some of the layout plans at: http://www.jamesriverbranch.net/plans.htm http://carendt.us/microplans/index.html http://ganddinz.blogspot.com/
Jeff, thanks for those links, I love spending time looking at track plans! I originally thought about a small layout with industries to switch but then realized that was not my focus. Think of this display/layout as a mini railfaning activity. We're standing track side in rural Illinois on a cool autumn day in 1968. Suzy Q by CCR is belting out of the single speaker in the 1960 Jeep CJ-5, but slowly being drowned out by a rythmic sound of a distant EMD. Around the corner and under a wooden over pass, a brace of bright Chinese red and gray GP30's comes storming into the scene, throwing ballast dust high into the air and mixing with the colors of amber and red leaves. It pulls the last of the 40' box cars, a few tank cars and hoppers, followed by a silver CB&Q waycar. The dust settles, the sound goes transitions to that of Fogerty, and we wait for the next train. That is my goal, something I can take to the CB&Q Historical meets and train shows and yeah, look at and day dream a bit.
Jime there is so much you can do it is ridiculous in Z! My layout is 29 by 42 inches to be exact or 2feet 5inchs by 3 and 1/2 feet. Regardless here is what I started with a few years back. to this (and this is still an outdated photo, I really need to take some updates) As you can see, it is limitless. My radius is 195mm and the track is MT
These are great guys! Keep em' comin'. I'm off to one of my favorite areas of rural Illinois this afternoon and my girlfriend Angela is coming. She'll be a big help as to what looks good as far as scenery and structures. I will need a grain elevator and a farm house, so who makes good Z scale, American prototype structures?
MT, Stonebridge, BAZ, Randy Brown, GClaser, Animek, NZT, Micron Art, Nanson Street, and a whole lot more. I am sure I missed a few. I have models of just about each manufacturer because I enjoy trying different kits. Take a peek, the selection is fantastic. However, I scratch build my grain elevators. (The large one is from the defunct MicroFigs company)
