I have always known about Z-scale. Actually I was born on the the same day Z-scale was introduced on the Nürnberg Toy Fair in February 1972. But it was Märklin H0 I was into in my youth. At the age of 17, the modelrailroading was put on a hold. But in 1998 the interest wake up again when I discovered the first Norwegian model trainboard on the internet. At first i was planning to continue with the old H0-layout in my parents house, but I wanted to have a layout in my own appartment. Lack of space made me look into Z-scale, and when I spotted this coffee table, I had to buy it. It was perfect for a Z-layout! Here is the result:
I had known about Z since i was still at school ( 1/4 century ago) but it wasn't until about 5 years ago i decided to get back into model trains ( i sold my small collection of "N" to buy my house) and as Z was the smallest that was what i wanted. Without the 'net i would still be stumbling around trying to find what was available. I am a bit of a compulsive when it comes to hobbies, r/c aeroplanes, slot cars, plastic kits, diecast cars and now Z ( also now buying N gauge steamies ) and i keep track of my expenditure on all except the r/c aeroplanes. Would you believe i have spent $28,000 on Z in five years!!!!!! Does that make me a Z addict or what? Its all worthwhile when on my temporary setup my 2 GP 35's can drag around 48 wagons without any stress, thats 12 feet of train! 220 times happy equals content!
Wun, we would love see pictures of your work. We want to know how much $28,000 buys. I sure dont want to know how much I spend.
John i am working on getting some pictures of the first stage of my "big U in Z" to show on this forum, nothing impressive so far but it is a start. As far as how much my money has bought me; 4 starter sets, 24 Marklin turnouts, 95 x 660mm straights, 27 loco's, 363 wagons plus all sorts of stuff including other track and scenery items. Eliot
Hopefully this will work, my first attempt to post a photo, the pic is of most of my fleet of Z wagons and German loco's. Eliot
Elliott, very nice storage case. I know buying trains is very addictive. I woould buy every release of GP35 if I dont stop myself. Got to have some self discipline.
I still would have tried Z scale, but I don't know if I would have stayed in Z without the internet. I inherited my first Z scale starter set from my wife's grandfather since I was the only one who recognized what it was when we were cleanning out his basement. I started in HO as a kid and took a hiatus from trains while in college and 10 years or so after. When I wanted to get back in to trains again, I was looking at N scale, but the local club was somewhat standoffish and not really very welcoming to a novice (or at least to me). After I got the Z starter set, I immediately looked on line and found a few websites and the Z_Scale yahoo group. Through the yahoo group, I linked up with other local Z scalers, Rob Allbritton in particular. While getting good info online to keep me exploring, Rob took me under his wing and even persuaded me to go to my first NTS. Since then, there has been no going back for me. I would not have met Rob, nor likely any other local Z scalers without the internet. Now I commune with Z scalers all over the world. This social aspect of the hobby is as important as the trains to me since it helps motivate me. The internet was also instrumental in helping us form a local Z scale group. I fished around various forums, lists and websites for folks that listed their locality in my area and I contacted them. Most were completely unaware that there were any other Z scalers in their areas. One guy even lived only 6 blocks from me, but it was on the internet that we found each other! I probably buy about 75% of my trains online now, but through other Z scale activities, I've actually met many of the folks I buy from online, even some from other countries. Randy Smidt
My Z-Scale collection is only limited do to the lack of D&H Models created in this scale. Still, when the day comes that I can actually have a layout in my home Z-Scale with have a place on it somewhere; likely a siding holding the few freight cars I have.
Darren, I just rode on the Stourbridge Line from Honesdale to Hawley this weekend. The BL-2 is still running, and they just got funding to repair the flood damaged bridge in Hawley and link up with the NYS&W again. I wonder if anyone has tried to model a gravity railroad in Z (or any scale for that matter)? Randy
