Old Guy/New Guy to Z scale

It's been a long time I have been to this site got lot's to learn before I start anything I did N scale for a few years then sold my layout.
A few weeks back I went to a train fair in Brea Ca and was shocked on how far Z scale was.
I was thinking of starting with a Hollow Core Door anyone have any pic's of one??
Any must see web sites??

Here is a few pic's of the N scale layout I built and sold

 

Try this link for a recent project.
New Module - TrainBoard.com

Someone was lucky to get your N scale layout!

 

Welcome to Z. Just imagine your N scale layout done in Z scale.
So much more space for scenery in the same space.

However, I'd suggest you think long and hard about what sort of layout and size you want your layout to be before you cut the first board.

There so many directions you can go so take your time, get some bleary eyes from doing a lot of R&D and don't be afraid to ask us old guys who have been doing it for a while any questions you may come up with.

Yes, Z has come a long ways since you last looked.

Enjoy the trip and we're here to assist you in any way we can.

All the best,
Loren

 

I forgot to mention that you most likely met some of the ZoCal boys if you saw Z at Brea.

Those are some really nice guys and very talented in the electronics and basic wood working areas. Some of them came up to Medford, Oregon two weeks ago for the Z convention and brought some of their trains.

Z brothers are all over the place if you go looking........

 

My layout is a HCD but I cut it. It is about 30 by 42. I used trim on the edges and even this size it keeps changing and growing. This is an older picture as I have updated much of it even since this shot. Hope this gives you an idea.

 

Joe,
A great example of 'clean, neat, and attractive' A very fine looking layout that is easy on the eyes and certainly can be shown off proudly even in the front room.....if mom allows it....)

 

Yes I did talk to one of the Guys had ton's of questions for him I think he was glad after I walked away lol.........

Wow nice work Joe!!!

Ok few more questions I was thinking this time around I want to use the track from Micro Trains very easy to setup and can be changed if needed.
what radius do I need to run the autoracks, double stack cars and the modern loco's?

Also in my N scale days I ran the Kato's for the simple reason they work and are #1 in my book for modern loco's

What are the best running modern loco's in Z scale MT SD40-2 vs American Z Line's SD70M
Thanks Guys!!

 

Hi Mike,

Welcome to Z scale.

Visit us at <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZoCal/>

We live in the greater L.A. area and we are the ones who exhibited the modules at the Brea Show.

By joining our Yahoo Group you can receive information about our up and coming shows. We wanted to be at the San Bernardino show on May 8th & 9 but the guys were just too tired out after going to Medford OR for the convention.

Our next exhibition will be at 6/5/2010 Ontario Big Train Show. Our display at Brea was only a small portion of our regular exhibit. We generally have about 12 scale miles of track running.

If you can make it to the show, we can answer all of your questions, one on one.

Please check with the ZoCal Yahoo Groups and if you can make it to the convention hall on Friday evening or early on Saturday morning we should be able to get you a free parking and free entry pass. It could save you a couple of bucks that you can spend on Z scale stuff at the show.

Bill
El Toro, CA
billhko@ yahoo.com

 

Thanks Bill I will try and make that show if I'm free and yes I will join that Yahoo group looking forward to learning more about Z scale Thanks!!

 

Thanks Loren and Mike for the complimiants. I keep adjusting it as I go, so even today it has a different look to it.

Mike, I can't help you with modern loco's but I do have MT steammers, Marklin mikado's, and pacific. I have MT F-7 and GP 35's. I also have the AZL GP 7. The AZL GP 7 is my best runner in terms of smoothness, quiet, and perfomance and looks super. Beleive it or not, I'd rate that good old MT F-7 probably my next best runner. Sure it's a loud one, but the darnned thing never stalls and can pull a house!

...and here is the rim shot line.... MT sure broke the mold when they made that one!
(somewhere crickets are chirping in the backround)

 

Trying to come up with a plan for my bench work when I sold my N scale layout I built a work bench and now I'm thinking of redoing the legs so that the layout will sit about 48"-50" off the ground as it sits now it's two 2'x8' making it 48" wide x 8' long.
I was thinking making (2) 2' x 4' giving me a L shape layout that will be 6' long on the longest side and it will have two sides to model on.
The walk way would be on the side of the bubble wrap and blue container with the opening at the box on the right side wall unless you Guys have any better ideas??
At this time I'm thinking a double track plan with a passing siding on the longest part of the layout.

 

Here is a few plans I just posted in the Layout Design Discussion I'm now thinking of doing a 30"x 96" just to get started I will be using MT Track in the R220mm and R490mm for Z scale I don't want to lay track like I did for N I think that the MT track looks good and will make Life easy for me.
As for the plans I just downloaded the program and need to learn all the tricks so any help would be Great!
Thanks Mike

 

As I'm looking your second plan, the "L", you can build it as a combination of a stationary home layout, and at least one Z-Bend Track end module (even one short straight, and a balloon end module), so you could bring it to our ZoCal events and join the fun. I'm happy to help with design, frame work, or what ever it takes.

 

I agree with Lajos. Make one end of your home layout like this:



And the Z Bend module could be like this:



By adding the Marklin adjustable track sections (4) that are used to connect Z Bend modules together, you could use the module as an end to your home layout as a siding. You could make the end any size or shape you want - just make sure both ends meet the Z Bend standard. Other end modules could visit your home layout too.
The lines are 4" apart and the layout was made with TrackPlayer 3.1

 

You don't need Marklin adjustable tracks, the connectors can be cut to fit, even ballasted track members, perfectly "blended in". The interfaces can be 100% tight joints or well planned scenery transitions (or better, both). The only critical part, when the module pulled off from the permanent members, the end has to meet with Z_Bend Track standards. And that is really easy.

 

Not a bad idea has this been done before?
I talked to John Duino a few weeks back and told him I wanted to build a home layout but also wanted to get myself a module to join you Guys.
Never thought about doing both at the same time............

 

I noticed a couple of compound S curves. This is were you go from one curve direction to another with out a transition track. This creates very large offests at the rolling stock ends and can lead to derailments. You should always have a transition track in between. This can be a simple straight (at least one car length) or a combination of decreasing curve angles. You can use the Micro-Trains sectional track to do this. For 195mm, you can connect to one 220 then straight or better, use the 490mm curved sections that come with the turnouts will greatly ease the change from straight to immediate curve and vise-versa.
.

 

Not exactly with a home layout, but even bigger, Rob Albritton's Gothard Line layout has Z-Bend Track interface. Using the concept with a home layout, yours can be the first one. Keep in mind, we're here to help.

 

Goodness "S" curves to be avoided at all costs. The 490 mm sections leading into a curve can work wonders!! It over comes the "co-efficent of lurch" that can raise the dickens with coupler mis-alignments and the resulting derailments. Mercy!! Always have a straight section at least the length of your longest car between "S" curves. This can lead to happiness, peace of mind, and smooooth running. The garlic was good tonight and the pasta great; and that late picked Chianti - Wow!

Donna