Cost of Z scale versus N?

drawmada Aug 25, 2008

  1. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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    Hi all ... I am presently modeling in N and have been seriously thinking of switching to Z. I have been looking at prices, but I wanted to know from you guys out there, is there a huge price difference between N and Z? I have seen the prices of track, which seems to be about the same as N, equipment at my LHS in Z is around the same price as the quality stuff of N.

    I saw a layout at a show recently that was Z scale ... and the sheer size of the scenery compared to the Railroad right of way is what impressed me! I think that is what finally made me seriously consider Z as an interesting alternative.

    If any one has any pointers it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

    Cheers
    Adam
     
  2. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Adam,

    Hello! You are not alone considering Z scale. In the last few years, we have seen quite a few N scalers move to Z. The reason such as scenery and the ability to do more in the space are two reasons why Z is gaining more interest.

    As for price, yes, I would say Z is more expensive than N. But there is one big difference, and that is quality. Z scale products tend to be of very high quality. Z locomotives are amazing. In general, the run smooth, quite and very reliable. I often here comments from HO and N scalers who are amazed at the performance of Z locos. Also, manufacturers in Z are striving for more details and accuracy. This is very important to the Z scale community.

    If you are just starting out, a Micro-Trains starter set is the way to go. Their GP35 or GP9 starter sets are outstanding. Other manufacturers to look for are American Z Line, FR, Marsilius and Full Throttle. These companies offer exceptional products and a growing line.

    Also, if you are interested, I would be happy to send you a complimentary issue of Ztrack Magazine so you can get a better idea of what is available in the Z world. You can contact me offline at ztrack@aol.com.

    Rob Kluz
     
  3. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Z scale is going to be more expensive, but there is no bad quality boxcars or engines. Everything is high quality. The engines have to be expensive because they use coreless motors. Current offerings from MTL and AZL are high quality stuff. Then there is the size. You have to love the amount of scenery one can do in a small space, or run long trains in a small space. If you into doing something nobody has done it before, z scale is for you. Like Rob suggested, MTL's GP35 or GP9 are good engines to begin with. They can be had as little as $100. Prices for boxcar run between $15 to $25. I hope this helps you in your decision.
     
  4. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Hi Adam, welcome to the Z Scale forum! :D

    Yes, Z Scale is more expensive. It's also more versatile, and fun! You can pack more stuff in a smaller space, and you can still get down with the super detailing too!

    I switched from N to Z 5 years ago, and there was nothing available then, but now there is a lot more stuff out. You can transition slowly, picking up a piece here and there of your favorite road. Build a small 2'x4' layout, but leave connection tracks available to add on later. Spend several years dabbling with that layout while you build up your collection, then start thinning your N Scale stuff later on.

    Z Scale is the fun challenge that N Scale used to be, but in N Scale, it's already been done!
     
  5. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Funny you said start slowly and add more later. I started with 3 boxcars. Now I have 30 of them.
     
  6. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hah!!!

    John, is that all??? I never thought I'd have much in Z, especially after I had to sell my two prized AZL C44's, but my investment in Z right now is close to 5 G's. Once AZL comes out with those Covered Hoppers, Autoracks, and Tank cars, I can easily see myself, a poor country boy having Z worth an easy 10 G's. Ugh!!! Where did I go wrong? :tb-wink:

    Yes, Z is a bit expensive. I never thought I would make a huge investment in it. Then I found a BNSF H2 AZL Brass C44-9 Loco!!!! Wow!!! Finally a modern loco in Z!!! Cost me $630 to get it in my hands. From that time I have found myself making investments like this maybe once every year. Heck, I now have a consist of 72 BNSF Bethgons!!! With a resent aquisition of a fellow Z scalers MTL Gunderson Husky's, my Intermodal is nearing 200 cars. Never did I think it would happen to me!!! Yes, Z is a bit expensive!!!! But More Rewarding in the long run!!!

    I need another Job!!!! :tb-wacky:

    Hobo Tim
     
  7. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the responses guys ... More food for thought lol ... I have seen the equipment in Z and am quite impressed by it! The prices of locomotives in Z and the price for a good quality locomotive in N are practically the same locally. I pay on average 20.00 CA for a good quality N scale freight car, MTL equipped, and the same freight cars in Z are a few dollars more expensive, and quite honestly I've noticed that the detail is just as good if not better then N. I don't mind paying for good equipment which I know will last for years. This means that I would have less downtime with my equipment and less converting.

    Keep em coming!

    Cheers!
    Adam :tb-smile:
     
  8. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    And besides,when you sell of all your N, (like I did :rolleyes:), you can buy more Z!!:teeth: I started with a Great Northern M-T set off of Epay, and never looked back. I have modelled half of Stevens Pass on a 3'x4' layout! Crazy, huh?
     
  9. Raildig

    Raildig TrainBoard Member

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    Adam,

    The responses here have been right on the mark... this is really an exciting time to be in Z scale. I find too that the people in Z are pretty passionate about the scale and this is an aspect I find to be a lot of fun.

    John
    Ztrains: Z Scale (1:220) Model Trains
     
  10. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

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    On cost, you really should consider items separately.
    ..DCC is exactly the same cost
    ..Electronics generally is not scale specific so all its costs are the same.
    ..Scenery costs exactly the same for the same area, but you will use less materials - although the scenery can can cover twice as much as N or over 6 times as much as HO in the same square footage layout.
    ..Laser kits are generally less expensive
    ..Most unpowered rolling stock is any where from slightly more to slightly less
    ..Engine power tends to cost a little more - BUT - it seems to be higher quality

    When you get all finished I do not think you will have a much different total than an N Gage layout. OTOH you CAN buy brass at 4 to 10 times as much as "regular" rolling stock.

    ...don
     
  11. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ok, every comment is right on, but all of you guys are leaving one aspect out and in regards to Z scale it is definitely more expensive, (but in a nice way)........Z takes a whole lot more time... why?.....because we love it so much and we can't seem to put it down.

    Since time = money, I'm going broke real fast.

    Go ahead Adam, spend all the time you like.....it pays big dividends, plus the Z folks I've met are the greatest bunch of people around.

    Love it to death,
    Loren
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 17, 2010
  12. animek

    animek TrainBoard Member

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    Hey ! Hi Adam,

    That’s great news! A potential new Z fan, and more, you’re local!
    Next thing we’ll know is that I'll be doing recruitment just like Robert for a new local Z club. And maybe restarting the Alouette division of the NMRA. And having big modules for hobby shows, and, and, and! Bah! Just dreaming out loud.:bear-laugh:

    But anyhow, go for it Adam, Z is just great!
    [FONT=&quot]Like rob said, just start with a micro-Train set, about $232, I did the same, then learn how to purchase items on Ebay if you don’t already do so, and the rest will follow[/FONT].

    Ben
     
  13. jlundy46

    jlundy46 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi Adam,
    Everything that's been said is spot on. I was a N scaler and went to Z, then back to N for a short time (temporary insanity - well, maybe not temporary) and am now back with Z. I have kept some of my favorite N scale stuff (SP&S) but am working on a Z scale layout and am now buying only Z scale locos and rolling stock. I did alot of custom N work on locos and was very hesitant to try it in Z. I have done a few Z things now and find it is not really more difficult than N. But, the best reason to switch to Z is the people - they are great as you will find out.

    John
     
  14. zmon

    zmon TrainBoard Member

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    Adam,
    The local Z club that we formed here in Utah gets asked the "price" question many times over at each show we attend, and we've answered the question this way...

    Price and quality go hand and hand in all train scales. If you compair the cost of a high quality loco or rolling stock from HO, N or Z their all pretty much the same. What Z scale lacks is the cheep cars and locos that are avialable in other scales. To pay $200 bucks for a Z loco is the same as spending $200 bucks on a top of the line Broadway Limited HO model or MTH.... the quality equals the cost.

    There are definatly less structures and static detail models available for Z, so scratch building is definatly a factor, however when you disregard the time spent hobbieing, then the relative cost is irrelavent.

    Layout size is the big one we like to explain. If you were to compair the scale demensional size of a Z scale layout to that of HO or N, you will definatly find that scenery in Z scale is much less expensive and due to scale proportions, much more true to scale and realistic. For and HO guy to replicate my current modules in exact scaled proportions, the amount of foam, plywood, nuts bolts, wire, glue, scenry supplies, facia boards, and curtains...... well its a lot more money... and were talking alot!!!!! Were talking about 3-4 times the volume of materials to duplicate my layout, and of course a full open basement to fit it into compaired to a single extra bedroom in my condo.

    So if you do a full scale comparison, we belive Z scale is cheeper or at least equal to any other scale. If all you do is collect trains and don't invest in a layout, then it doesn't work... Z would cost you more. But when it comes to layouts, you can build very detailed and intricate layouts for much less than the other scales.

    Tony B...
    Wasatch Z Club
     
  15. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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    Well I finally made a decision! In the next couple of weeks, I will be going out and getting a M-T starter pack (track only), a set of turnouts, and some M-T flex. I have also ordered a GP-9, and a few freight cars. I'm taking the plunge lol. I know that I will enjoy Z scale, and finally I'll have a chance to try out my new Laser printer that prints of thick media! Tried thin styrene yesterday and was able to print out a shrunk DPM planning kit (modified) onto it.

    Now to find enough room for my new empire hmmm ... lol

    Cheers
    Adam
     
  16. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Adam, I think you have made a wise choice. You didn't mention a power pack so let me remind you that Z from MTL runs at NO higher than 10 dcv. Marklin is no higher than 8 dcv. So becareful with 'left over' power packs from larger scales. Best solution is ebay where you can find a Z power pack precalibrated, the Railpower 1300. Best of all is the Zthek Controller. With it you can run a GP35 so slow people won't know it is moving. You may also want to try the site at Z Central Station. Perfect for newcomers, with thousands of lines of Z info as well as over 3500 Z related photos to enjoy. This is a shameless plug, as I am the moderator there. Cheers, Jim CCRR
     
  17. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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    Jim I have a Railpower 1300 which I will not operate at 100% power. In anycase with my N scale locomotives I didn't run them at 100% either lol. worse off I still have my tailor made throttle that plugs into a computer power supply which runs off either 5v or 12v DC, so I could always use that one and just run off 5 volts. That was my first electronic project ever which still works 20 years later.

    Don't worry about the shameless plug ... The more info the better as far as I'm concerned, and thanks!

    Cheers!
    Adam
     
  18. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Adam, One more thing. Marklin locos tend to run at 300 Z scale mph at 8dcv. MTL locos will run 200mph. So most of us never run more than 6dcv. With a Zthek controller you run with about 2dcv. Use a voltmeter on you 1300 and mark the top voltages. See you at ZCS. Cheers, Jim CCRR
     
  19. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    It all depends on what RR and era you want to model. Modern RR and modern era are loaded. Fallen Flags and early RR era (1890s) is extremely limted and expensive and better served in N scale.

    John Bartolotto
     
  20. haybros

    haybros TrainBoard Member

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    If I had a dime for every time I have been asked the "cost" question......

    My standard reply to that question is: " About 40 cents an hour". A reply that always draws a follow-on question....or three....
     

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