Old Guy/New Guy to Z scale

Ok here is another idea I think the Home / ZoCal thing would work great just need to keep playing with the idea.
As for my "S" curves I did keep the track to only 220 and 490 curves if this helps??

Ok heres the Home/ZoCal plan again Thanks for the input Guys!!!

 

That should work! Hooray!! Another end!!! Guess my "emergency ends" will get relegated to true emergency duty. I love it!!
Lindley

 

You still can have a less uniform, more challenging track plan, even with well planned S curves. For the Z-Bend Track module interface you need only a short, if I remember correctly 2 5/8" straight section, plus the length of the set back. The rest can go all over the place.

 

After I have gave it some thought I want to build my Home Layout as plan with MT track and build a End Mod using flex track.
with the show coming this weekend I'm looking forward to meeting and talking Z scale with you Guys :thumbs_up:

Here is another plan I'm thinking about it uses 220 & 490mm curves only

 

Even on my small layout, having a double main makes it more fun. Of course I run DC so you going DCC might create more interest with the passing sidings that you have. Make sure you can reach all the turnouts. But I know you knew that.

 

At first I wanted to go two loops and just do DC each loop but now I'm thinking of doing DCC again.
From what I have done so far to get a double track main I would need to use 195mm curves and I'm trying to stay with the wider curves for the SD40-2 and the SD70m
and for the SD90/80 Macs that will be coming soon (I hope)

 

When looking closely at the above trackplan (indeed computer designed) I can see a gap/misalignment between connecting track on the right hand lower part of the trackplan schematic. Are you sure that the sectional track combination is working properly in your case? Maybe you should consider flextrack, at least to connect both track sections....:tb-wink:

Dom

 

Yes that will be fixed with custom cut to fit MT track

That would work too..............

 

Quick update after spending some time with the ZoCal Guys in Ontario, Ca
I'm getting ready to building my Mods so Lindley can leave his
"Emergency Ends" home lol........

I have a few ideas I'm playing with right now
It will be 3 mods a 36"x48" 30"x24" 18"x24"
the plan is to use the 36"x48" and the 30"x24" for the shows and use the 18"x24" for home only.
So far these are the ideas just for the 36x48
Any input would be Great

 

Looks good so far Mike. Just remember that you need access to any track in your planned tunnels. You could get in there from underneath or make removable mountains. You have to be able to get in there to clean track and get derailed trains out.
How about a small yard somewhere?
And try to "balloon" your Z Bend end to get 10" and 11" radius turns instead of the standard 9" and 10". Lindley's ends are called emergency ends because they are the smallest end you can have, but have the tightest turns. If you remember, the Challenger would have just a little trouble on one of his ends. Well then again, if the track work was not perfect, the Challenger didn't like it.
If you noticed all the other end modules had large radius turns. The Z Bend standard of 9" radius track as a minimum were planned out when the biggest engine was a F7. When the SD70/75 came out, they didn't look very good on those tight turns. They could handle it, but just like the bigger engines, the autoracks or passenger cars don't look good on the 9" radius track either.
Just my idea, go for 12" radius turns as a minimum. Make your ends for the shows balloon out so the trains look more realistic at the shows.

 

I guess, you mean to use the 36 x 48 for home. Looks like it's a workable plan. You can even beef it up with some switching action, independent from the main lines of the modules, but connected to your home "base".

 

David I was hoping to start my car collection from you GuyZ but now that you let the Cat out of the bag I will do a opening under the layout at this point not sure how big the mountain will be but it will be on the large side for sure.
Small yard never thought of that..............I thought you had that covered :thumbs_up:

The total space I have for the home setup is 8' x 5' so with all three mods I'm @ the Max 8'

 

Lajos the 36x48 is for the Shows the home base is the 18x24 I'm thinking if I'm going to do this I want to Go BiG like David..........

I think the switching action would be cool give me something to do at the shows I will try to get some ideas down

 

Sorry Mike,
I meant a yard for your home layout.
If you are thinking along the lines of my yard end, use the fewest switches you can on the main lines and always have the main be the straight part through the switch, not the turnout. Two yard ends at a show would be cool.

 

Another idea..........

 

Rather than drilling underside access you can drill side access as well. In my opinion that's easier to do and furthermore its easier for working on track or recovering any derailed rolling stock.





Dom

 

This is not an option for Mike's module. To have access from below is not an easy one either, unless there is lots of head room and built in lights. The best way is to make sections of the mountain removable. The seams can be hidden between trees and bushes, at bottoms of rock formations and inside of natural cracks.

 

Thanks Dom but like Lajos said with my mountain in the center of my module I need to go under or make the removable parts.

 

OK, in that case I'd chose the removable part option.

Dom