Cost of Z scale versus N?

drawmada Aug 25, 2008

  1. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

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    You really have to assume the person asking the question has some possible interest. After all he/she is at a train show and probably paid an entrance fee. Give them a good answer and you'll find real quickly if he was serious or not. We always find at Mr Dave's big layout we get one or two SERIOUS people at each show, and I would think a couple of those are now into Z. Dave even goes one step further and lets a SERIOUS kid actually run his layout. He might spend 15 or 20 minutes with a 5 or 6 year old child. You better believe that person is a convert whether it be on the way home or a few years later. We have some super neat photos of Dave playing with an unknown child. I'm not sure who gets the most enjoyment: Dave or the child -- or the parent(s).

    ...don
     
  2. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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    I always wanted to model my area's railroading operations, but to do so would have taken a lot of space. With Z I will be able to do it as all the rolling stock used here is available. The GP9s that CN uses are short hood, but once in a while one high hood will appear, so using a high hood Geep will be ok. The space needed in Z is much less too.

    We have quite a few industries here, Goodyear, Grace Davison, National Silicates, C.E. Zinc, also General Dynamics, Schenley Distilling. There is enough rail activity to model. CSX serves the industrial park where the port of Valleyfield is located, and one other industry on the soutern part of the city. CN serves the rest.

    I am thinking of modeling the area, but instead of flat lands and water incorporating
    "real" scenery (mountains). Not decided on this yet though. Anyways as soon as I start planning out I will start a thread for my new venture.

    Cheers
    Adam
     
  3. animek

    animek TrainBoard Member

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    And hopefully Micro train new loco "soon to be" S40-2 will have a CN scheme.

    Ben
     
  4. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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    that would be nice Ben. Then through freights would be a possibility lol

    Cheers
    Adam
     
  5. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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  6. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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  7. FloridaBoy

    FloridaBoy TrainBoard Member

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    After spending years in N, I built a Z scale layout, and displayed it at swap meets, as it was so portable. It got a lot of attention, and I learned some Z scalers are a lot more assertive than even N scalers can be.

    I first came upon N in the late eighties when MicroTrains came out with the F7, and my loco fleet has grown to a couple of Marklin steamers, but my all time favorites are the MicroTrains diesels. All of my freight cars are MT as well.

    I learned that as much as availability and quantity of product is a problem in N, it is even more in Z!!!! So, I decided to approach it like I did in the early days of N. I adjusted, and got resourceful. I scanned train shows and swap meets with a very close eye, as many vendors often kept Z under the wraps so they could market the faster moving stuff. Second, I joined a club, and with a lot of guys in it, many guys either adopt or abandon or change scales, and want to sell off their Z stuff, which is where I got most of my structures and vehicles.
    Just last month a donor to the club donated 2 Z scale layouts and three Marklin power packs, and one of the layouts was very great, so I combined all three of my Z layouts into one, and it is on casters, and can be ported to any event, and transported in my trunk.
    I also have learned to bide my time, and really appreciate when new stuff comes out. I really am interested in the new MicroTrains locos, and will be getting them in the fall, along with some more rolling stock, As to the issue of the shortage of structures, just make more scenery, as N trees can fit and/or be cut down to size, you can make hills, mountains, tunnels, bridges and rocks the same way.
    All the way, nothing looks better than a train, even in Z, running along the mainline, within scenery, and making a stop at even the freight/passenger station.
    Be resourceful. Take a look at every N vehicle.....some of them are closer to Z, and can be used in a pinch.
    Since I have three scales in my home, it is nothing short of pure fun to run a train, no matter what the scale.

    Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
     
  8. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ken, are you taking your layout to the the Deerfield swap meet? I didnt plan to attend, but I would like to see your layout. Also, do you know when is it.
     
  9. drawmada

    drawmada TrainBoard Member

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    I can't get rid of the N scale layout or my daughters will kill me lol. Z scale will be for Dad (that's me) to especially put his scratchbuilding talents to work hehe. I find that the smaller it is, the more challenging and rewarding it is to scratchbuild buildings, bridges, and other scenic stuff. Actually I can't wait to get started!
     
  10. firechief

    firechief TrainBoard Member

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    I just read the whole thread and am almost, but not quite, convinced to switch from N to Z. I'll keep my eye on it for further postings that might put me over the edge.

    Dave.
     
  11. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dave, Dave, Dave. Come on you've read enough. Just kinding. Well maybe not. Trust me, all the reasons to switch to Z Scale far outweigh the reasons for staying in N or HO or any other scale. Try this: http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/6936

    These are a few of my photos showing the beauty and versatility of Z Scale. Remember the bedroom where these photos were taken of my two room sized layouts is only 11'x10'. I also invite you to drop into Z Central Station. This is a shameless plug, as I am the moderator there. At ZCS you will find thousands of lines of Z info in our Forums section, and over 3500 Z related photos. We have some of the best modelers in model railroading and we are friendly and willing to help. Check out my albums in Photos there. Socalz44. Try it you will like it, and it costs nothing to look. Also at the NTS last month in Anaheim Z scale took 4 of the top 5 awards. Cheers, Jim CCRR
     
  12. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am not trying to make someone to join us. I want you to want to join us. For me, its just a matter of size. It is still the smallest practical scale. Sometimes I say why not go n scale when its cheaper, but when I compare the sizes of the n scale SD70 and a z scale SD70, I know I am in the right scale. The n scale SD70 just seem huge to be, but I do like the price it. Z scaler didnt choose z scale because is easy. Z scaler chose z scale because its hard. We like the challenge.
     
  13. animek

    animek TrainBoard Member

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    LOL! That reminds me of John F. Kennedy speech ".We choose to "do Zscale". We choose to "do Zscale" in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too. "

    Ben
     
  14. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ben, You crack me up! Must be that time of the year? Actually, I'm into Z because I lived on a sailboat for 19 years. I was always interested in model trains, but never had the wife, or the lifestyle to get into the hobbie. Finally changing wives and settling in on the boat I had a small bulkhead, wall, and I decided to build a 2'x3' layout. Worked out well and now that I live on land things have really changed for the better. One of the perks of living on land was than I got my spare bedroom for railroading. Basically, I would have loved N scale with it's oportunity to run Shays and old steamers, but like John said above, N is just too big. My two layouts are/were about 75 sq. ft. average and have/had over 3 miles of mainline in my train room. I would need the living room do duplicate my layout in N. HO would be half my house. Sure Z is a bit more expensive, not much, but the real payoff is in the ability to build the layout you always dreamed about and truly be able to coexist with the rest of the family. You would be surprised at what can be put in a closet or shoved under the bed in our scale. To be fair, I would say that if a person only wants to switch cars at the hump yard all day then I would concentrate on HO or N. Yard work is possible for that certain individual, but the beauty of Z is in a great selection of locos and rolling stock, and of course scenery. Cheers, Jim CCRR
     
  15. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    There is only one way to convince someone on the fence about Z, to enter the scale, and that is to encourage them to sit back on the fence, and enjoy our show! We are already into Z, and are having the time of our lives NOW! And we welcome anyone who is interested in Z to join in the fun! :D
     
  16. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    I've seen layouts everwhere, but never on a boat!!:eek:mg:
     
  17. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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