Getting ready for the National Train Show in Detroit and was wondering if there are going to be any Z Scale layouts at the show. I don't see anything listed..and only one Z on the tour...Dave Miller's. Doesn't seem as though Z is going to be represented as it has in the past there...please prove me wrong. Joe MTL
Joe, There will be three Z layouts at the show. Mister Dave will have his Golden Blackhawk & Central City including his new modules. Jim Druckmiller is going to bring a Z scale layout, the Chubby Beaver Timber & Mining Co. On Friday only, Jeffrey MacHan will have the VEC in the Ztrack booths. There is definitely not the large amount of Z as in past years, but there is still a nice presence. Rob
I can't go this year, because I am spending all my vacation money on NP GP's, but I am getting the DT&I special boxcar set in support of the cause! We are working at making next year's Anaheim NTS a very memorable show for Z Scalers out here, with a big showing of DCC, sound, animation, lights, and electronic miniaturization. And the proximity to all the theme parks and the beach will make it a memorable week for those with spouse and kids too! Have fun Joe, and do your best to help Dave convert the masses! He showed good in 2005, so I expect to hear a great report!
No Z scale Listed! Robert, I just looked at the NMRA NTS 2008 website. It looks like there might not be any room left to show off layouts and modules for it is chocked full of HO and N already. Might want to contact the Layout Rep to tell him "Z" will be the Hit of the Show!!! I wish I could make it to the Detroit show. I have only been to one NTS, and that was Columbus 2005. Even though I was only able to spend Friday there, it was a Blast!!! My 3 kiddos loved it too. If it weren't for the huge LEGO layouts and the Junior NMRA workshops for kid, I would have left hours earlier than I did. Kept my kiddos busy!!!! All in all, had a Blast!!! Only a Heaven sent gift will allow me to join you guyZ at this years NTS. Have fun and take photos!!! Hobo Tim
Dave has a very nice high quality brochure put together/finished today to give to some of the members of the press such as RR magazines. It shows many views of the new layout and asks editors to stop over to Dave's layout and take a look at it in the real. From there we hope to find out just what type of material the magazine would need in order to get a story published. The brochure shows Dave's layout in detail along with some of the extras such as being designed low to the floor for both kids and wheelchair bound persons. Dave also plans the have the youngster at the show who gave Dave the moniker "Mr Dave". ...don
Those are the clubs and layouts on the 2008 NMRA Convention Tours, there is nothing posted about the 2008 NTS yet.
Typically, the NTS folks don't start signing up people for the next NTS until NTS the previous year (i.e. NTS 2008 sign-up starts at NTS 2007). We didn't get a whole lot of folks interested in going to display modules in Detroit. Only two people contacted me and never confirmed that they would have modules ready in time (one ended up out of the country for work for an extended period). Mr. Dave will do his usual great display, with added modules this year. Too bad Jeffrey can only make it for one day. I'm curious about Jim Druckmiller's layout. Anaheim, on the other hand, looks like it will rival (or even surpass) NTS 2005 in quality if not quantity. I think Z scale could actually sweep the module judging. Those WeZt CoaSt folks are doing amazing work. Already have interest from ZoCal, BAZ, CZM, SOU OR (Loren and Joe), NWPZS, Wasatch Z and possibly even Houston. Bryan and i are working on going, but not sure we will be bringing modules. I might try to ship the DCZ lightweight module since that's what it was designed for to begin with. randy
Randy, that's right, keep stoking the fire. We need a rip roaring bonfire by July of next year. Joe and I have not as of yet actively sought to gain new Z converts from Southern Oregon, but this is our intention. I know, we have to get off our butts and recruit. Truth be known, we want to start an official new club here in Medford called SOZ which stands for Southern Oregon Z Scale. We figure that there just has to be some raw undiscovered Z interest in this area, and we need to discover it pronto and urge it on. We have some fine dreams, but we need a few more Z fanatics to make this work. I'd say about 3 or 4 would do very nicely. Enough talk, time to draft, recruit, kidnap, hold for ransom, or bribe with free coupler springs. Bring em young, bring em old, but we must bring them. Loren
Loren, you need to come up with a more catchy name like Randy posted... SOURZ Southern Oregon United Railroaders in Z SOREZ Southern Oregon Railroaders Engauging Z SOAPZ Southern Oregon Area Plays Z SOZA Southern Oregon Z Antics SOLDZ Southern Oregon Latter Day Zers haha!
SOU I thought we were the SOUR PUTZ Southern Oregon Under Resourced and Painfully Unfocussed Track-planning in Z ) Joe SOURPUTZ in Z.
haha, how about: "MAMAZ" Medford Area Modelers and Artisans of Z, and we can call you the "MAMAZ BoyZ"
Unfortunately I was one of the guys trying to have several modules finished in time. However the farthest we got with the modules was to build the core modules, laminate the edges and throw down the cork with no track. The DCC system has been purchased (NCE radio system with several throttles) and multiples of module connectors made up (gawk was that time consuming). Engines converted over to DCC. Etc. Several of Micron art structures completed a few bridges. And a scratch built two-track bascule bridge completed. But no track has been laid. Upon all the world travels with work, my wife has had to have emergency surgery that has her wheel chair bound for the next several months. Needless to say not much is being done to lay any of the track. Z in Detroit is a very underground activity but hopefully in a few more years we will change that. Eventually the modules will be completed and out to display at local train shows. If any one can bring any modules please do so. Zee you in Detroit !!
Oh good grief Charlie Brown....how do you expect me to get any work done when I'm rolling on the ground laughing at your suggestions? I suppose with these catchy name possibilities, Joe and I need to focus not only on nifty advertising, but perhaps we need to come up with coordinated outfits to "truly show off the uniqueness of Z scale" How about a nifty red cape with a big black Z on the back, and we can wear masks and carry swords and ride into the show areana on black horses. I mean, if Antonio Banderas can make it work in Zorro, why can't Joe and I tweak it a bit to our advantage? Question is, will Z be a viable scale after Joe and I get through with it? Ok guys, here is yet another avenue for you folks to explore as it is painfully obvious that none of you little boyz have anything constructive to do, and Joe you certainly aren't helping matters much. Of course, I'm one of the few who have seen Joe's office and desk....this alone would help explain Joe's latest suggestion. From now on, when Joe and I go out to eat I'm going to be paying much closer attention to that white powder that Joe casually dumps into his coffee. I'm beginning to suspect there is more going on, (or in) than meets the eye. Ok, time for discalimer for those of you out there who may not have a sense of humor or fully understand how great organizations come into being. Number one, Joe is NOT a drug pusher or addict......though he is kind of dopey at times.... Number two, Joe is a design engineer, not a script writer for the Tonight Show,.......that should be painfully obvious to you by now.. And number three, while Joe gets off track occasionally, he doesn't often get "steamed up" Thanks to Robert and Dave for those "timely" suggestions, but I gotta admit, Joe's name suggestion..SOURPUTZ definitely has merit I think. While Joe and I are dumping that white powder into our drinks while chewing the fat, we do lament that we are underfunded and somewhat unorganized. Is there hope for us yet? Loren
I hope to see anyone going to Detroit. Be sure to stop by booth 252 and say hello and introduce yourself. You can also look at the four new bridges for Z. Ooopps, did I just let something out. Oh well, come by and see. Bob
Rules It's ok Bob, technically speaking I was asking about layouts...Z Specific at the Detroit Show...and that being said, your reference to your new product that directly relates to said Z Layouts meets the basic theme of this thread. ) It would be even cooler if you gave us a little peek!!!!!! Joe
Now Bob, Let's get one thing straight, (besides the track), these bridges will put smiles on the faces of Z scalers, correct? Should I sell my kids, AND dog before I show up in order to be able to afford any of these beauties? Looking forward to seeing you Sunday the 29th at booth 252 Loren
