My dad turned me on to model trains as a kid. Last year we started building a 12' HO DCC scale layout in my unfinished basement. Sadly, he passed away this year and I have since had another child. Couple life changes since starting this and I'm now thinking about finishing my basement which doesn't mesh well with a 12' layout...and my other hobbies. I also couldn't possibly give up my train layout entirely so I'm thinking about dropping it down to a 4x4' layout and going either N or Z scale. Thing is I have never worked with or even really seen either of these scales before because I've been a HO and Lionel guy, and my dad was an American Flyer guy. I'm torn on which scale to go with and whether to buy E-Z track or do it the way I've always done with track bed and track. Not sure if the industry is changing into more of the E-Z stuff. Just looking for some advice on which scale and track to consider so that I can still have some fun with something more than just a circle in only 4x4' space. Thanks!
If you are going to go with N-scale sectional track, look at kato Unitrack, and not EZ-track. There is a world of difference. 4x4 is small, even for N, but there are still great things which can be done in that space. Check out John Sing's (atsf_arizona) 4x4 layout (which is Unitrack) Or, you can create a nice switching/ops layout area. If you go down to Z, you have a very nice amount of space available. Check out the threads and photos in teh Z forum. But also, find a nearby store where you can see and handle the different scales, before committing to any scale.
Welcome to TrainBoard! If going with pre-manufactured sectional track, definitely choose Kato Unitrack. You will have no regrets! We have a Unitrack Users Group right here on TrainBoard you can join, to learn more. How about something modular? There are successful ideas in common use for all scales. In N scale, there are several concepts which you can use on your own. or take to meets and combine with others. Examples are such as NTrak, oNeTrak, T-Trak, BendTrack, FreeMo-N. Or, perhaps consider a 'hollow core door' ("HCD") layout.
Thanks for the welcome. I've done some Googling and looked at some images on this site and it looks like I'll have to go Z scale to have some fun since I'm trying to drop down to such a small layout. I did think about going modular, and some of them are very impressive, but I enjoy a complete track. HCD is pretty interesting as I've never seen/considered that before but the space requirement is more than I could really fit with a finished basement. Even 48"x48" is a little big. Course with Z scale, I may even be able to trim that to 48"x36" but we'll see as I starting designing track layout. I'll probably stay with 48"x48". Perhaps I should just buy a larger house or a garage somewhere. hehe In Z scale it looks like Marklin owns that world. I also see MTL and Rokuhan. Any better than the other? Z scale is certainly priced differently than the larger, and I'm sure easier to produce, HO scale that I normally work with. Sheesh. Still probably the best option for my needs at this time though. I'll go spend some time in the Z forum but thanks for any advice!
Now that you are looking at Z, definitely hop over to our Z Forum and join in. Top notch modeling talents there. You'll get all the ideas and answers desired.
Either find some way of going with a larger table, or Z scale. Something that small will get boring very quickly.
Marklin is still the main player in Z indeed. It's a compulsory choice for one who models european stuff. However, for one who models North American railroading, Micro-Trains and AZL are far more better choices. Stuff from these manufacturers is definitly more accurate and less expensive. And latest locomotives from these run like any sample from bigger scales. Furthermore, choice of locomotives and rolling stocks from these manufacturers begins to be broad. Further from that you may find fine rolling stock from craftsmen such as Full Throttle and since recently Intermountain. One has just to be weary of power pack choice, as the best choices are power packs that allow really low starting voltages. In the US, Z-Thek's are the best ones, and in Europe I definitly rely on Passmann's. Dom
Years ago my friend gave me an example from his childhood. He and his dad had a HCD layout. They kept it hinged on the wall and folded it up when not in use. -or- when having a finished basement, maybe have your small layout in the corner (or wherever) but connect it to a shelf going around the room for a little roundy-round action. You could probably fit 2 tracks side by side on a 4 inch wide shelf. A closet or unfinished area could be a great place for a hidden reversing loop.
Something that small I would go with Z Scale. I'm thinking about building something small in Z for my Trailer so when out on the road I can still have some fun with my hobby. Good luck and Big Fun
