Am considering a z scale logging layout and wondering where i can find track, locos and cars, a power supply, maybe a book on modeling in this scale. Thanks for any help
Welcome to Z! Sorry there are no books on the scale. I would encourage you to check out Ztrack Magazine and our extensive back issue library. You will find articles that cover logging. The July/August 2010 issue of Ztrack has some amazing photos of Robert Ray's modules which include lumber themes. The leading track line today is Rokuhan. They offer numerous track options, plus controllers and accessories. All are plug and play. AZL and Micro-Trains are your two locomotive and rolling stock leaders. AZL tends to be more modern focussed with MTL more transition era. AZL does offer center-beam flats for your logging operations. MTL has offered logging cars plus bulk head flat cars with lumber loads. While not currently available, these cars can be found on the 2nd hand market. We are the Distributor for both Rokuhan and AZL. You can find more information on these two lines here: http://www.americanzline.com http://www.ztrackcenter.com For MTL, check out their site: https://www.micro-trains.com Rob
Although I haven't seen it yet, Model Railroader Magazine has a Z scale layout story and a modeling in Z story in the November issue.
Some of the best resources on how to build and run trains in this scale is right in this forum. If you have time, read the post starting in 1982. Also check out Robert Rays modules. He has one on paper mill plant.
I just went to the "MR" website; looks like a job well done. There is a video posted, but you have to be a subscriber in order to watch it. I get that. What I would like to say is this: it's great that there is a Z scale layout featured. Any exposure is a good thing. I hope that there might someday be a story about a layout that is actually larger than 2'x3'. There was a discussion a while back on the "RailWire" forum about Z coming of age, and a good deal of the comments were about wanting/hoping to see something bigger than a "layout that fits in a guitar case". Once again (and this is just my opinion, of course), the real value of Z is the ability to build a layout that doesn't have to fill an entire room, yet is large enough for some sense of "space". I have started a 2'x8' in what was my son's bedroom. It (the layout) is big enough for a bit of scenery, and a 15-car train doesn't appear to be "chasing its own tail". I still have plenty of space left over in that 13'x13' room for my work desk, my guitars, and a 2-person lounge chair. I hope I haven't offended anyone... Mark in Oregon
Mark, you are not trying hard enough. I agree with you. My layout is almost the length of my garage. I am not trying to build a small layout. I am trying to run a realistic size train.
If you are looking for logging kits such as structures and specialized cars, we just uploaded a new collection into Ztrack Resale that contains a number of these. You can find them at www.ztrackresale.com The are the Micro-Trains kits that are out of production.
Thank you folks.I have N scale, but the wife won't let me in the house, so am looking at a logging layout I can set up in my shed.
