Fellow modelers, Thinking of putting a Z Scale on a O Scale layout. The issue is I have 2 large and 2 small dogs. I had heard that these minute models don't take to hairs well . Also the O scale sheet of plywood layout is going to be loaned to the Special Olympics and exhibited in a tent with a grass surface. Running it at home I guess I could always get an air purifier. Please reply with input with either scenario or general info on Z airborne related issues. Also what is the best engine suggestion for the new Rohukan minimum radius curve? Very Appreciatively Chris
Chris, Welcome to Z. Yes, hair (and dust and bugs) can be a problem in Z but unless your dogs are in the habit of sleeping on your layout, I don't think you'll have too much of a problem. I also run S scale and IMHO my American Flyer line requires a clean and lubrication at about the same rate as the older designed Z scale (Märklin, MTL F units). The newer units, particularly from AZL, less often. I don't recall ever hearing of a train layout in a tent on grass before. Rather than contamination, I'd me more concern about dimensional changes in the plywood due to temperature and humidity variations. From personal experience, Z scale really wants a 1/32" tolerance. You might want to consider building your Z layout on a piece of pink foam and mounting that to the plywood. As for the minimum radius, if you want to run U.S. 4-axle prototypes you're limited to 120-145mm minimum radius, with 6-axle locos needing 220mm. Below that, you're looking to small industrial switchers (check out Märklin and Searails) and two axle rolling stock, like ore cars. Hope this helps, Mark
The wind may be an issue too Which 'minimum' radius are asking about? For any of the 2 truck (2 axles) per truck, the shorter locks are better (GP7, GP9, F3, F7) along with 40' cars. However, between young, inxperienced hands, these 2 axle trucks will be a lot harder to deal with. Stick to Märklin products which have 2 axles (non-rotating, 1 axle per end of car) and as short as 20'. Same with their steam and some diesels that have simple, non-rotating trucks. These will run on the 120mm radii but for the 90mm or crazy 45mm, very-very few locos or rolling stock will run on this. Don't go there. 145mm will keep your sanity. For example: https://www.reynaulds.com/catalog/dept_122.aspx
Thx for quick response lads. Train would only run in tent from 0900 to say 1600 so nothing overnight. On raddi 8 inches (maybe 8.5) diameter is all I have to work with (its on the Menards Power and Light building rooftop). So its go tiny radius or punt. If Rohukan makes something this tiny they must have an engine in mind otherwise logically why make it, right? Chris
An interesting layout concept, I got started in Z thinking it would make a good S scale amusement park ride. I don't think Rokuhan has anything in their product line that will run well below 90mm . These tighter radii are more inline with streetcars, which I expect to see them produce, someday. Could you possibly run a straight track that auto-reverses at the edge of the building? Mark
Mark, The impetus for this project is my O scale club perpetual challenge to find storage for the modules. My garage was even offered once, unbeknownst to me. I was going to put a club logo sign on the roof top "XXXX O scale Model Train meeting here tonight" . The next meeting is here in about 6 wks and I would put out a email saying I "think" I MIGHT have a solution to the space issues. Anyway back to raddii, this the product I was trying to use is #ROK-ROIO R95MM ( R3 47/62 ") .This would allow we to get inside the 8" rooftop, correct? If no compatible engine, so goes it. As I am the youngster at 61 I was going to have some club members ropeclimbing up the 3 story building side to get to the meeting. Here is link.Thanks for all your input and don't manufacters state minimum suggested curves? http://www.zscalemonster.com/rokuhan/curved/
Chris, Yeah the 95mm track should just fit: 190mm diameter plus 4mm for roadbed, just over 7.6". Getting back to motive power, I pulled out some old Märklin catalogs, and have a couple of suggestions you might find in the resale market: #88051 0-6-0T just 45mm long, and could pull any of the 2-axle freight cars; #8831 Powered rail bus, could pull it's companion 8817 Bus trailer. There was also a #8182 set which contained the aforementioned 0-6-0T and a couple of 2-axle freight cars. Being new to Z, I should point out to you that Märklin made an unfortunate choice of locomotive lubricant in the '90s which today results in Hardened Oil Syndrome (HOS) and many locos on the resale market need a good cleaning and lubrication. As for minimum radius numbers from manufacturers, until recently the smallest radius was 145mm and it is assumed to be the minimum radius unless otherwise specified. The Rokuhan track opened new horizons. As far as I'm concerned, I use a Z scale mark-up of the NMRA RP-11 and expect no more (and no less) out of my rolling stock. If you do this, I for one would be interested in seeing the result. Mark
I have just tried a quick test (on my dining room table) of a Marklin 88313 Rail Bus running on a small oval of Rokuhan 120 mm radius curved track with two 110 mm straight sections. It runs quite smoothly at a scale speed of around 50 kph. I do not have any 95 mm radius curved track so I cannot confirm Mark's suggestion but, I believe, that this rail bus would run on the smaller radius. However, I am not sure that I would want it to run continuously for hours. On their website, Rokuhan state that their trains will run on 95 mm track but I am not sure what would be suitable rolling stock for your requirements. Rob Pearce (aka Viper Bugloss)
"Do you like trains BigGuy? This is what you want, This is what all the boys on the lake want" (with apologies to Risky Business) http://www.searails.com/1zscaleemdmodel40.html
I have 2 of the searails units and they run very well. They are appropriately tiny. Also, I have several Rokuhan trains and locos and they are the least finicky of all my Z stuff. Dirt and hair is a big deal with Z. Things need to be really clean. I have a St Bernard that is a walking hair dispenser. It floats everywhere. Just keep an eye on things and all will be well. And, as Mark said, let up know if you do it. It sounds interesting. Trey
Mark, I think I will contact the guy at Z Monster trains and see what they are selling with this tight curve track. I take it you recommend going with 2 axel cars? Should that also apply to the engine? On transformers, can you get away with using a HO/N scale just at lower power setting? Do Z scale specific units plug right into the wall? Chris
HO and N use a higher voltage than Z. So don't use the regular trafo for your Z scale. And I have two cats and one dog, and the trains are still running.
Chris, I did most of my work with Märklin European prototype 2-axle cars: passenger cars, ore car, barrel car, tank car. Also an 0-6-0T that's longer than the one I mentioned, that had a few problems. Before I started, I did a few calculations (good old high school trig) and figured a maximum 40 foot prototype wheel base for a 95mm radius. Playing with some U.S. prototypes I had poor results. Z scale really needs <=10V DC. If you have an N scale throttle you know is pure DC, you could block the throttle at 10V. A safer way is to use a string of power diodes (like a 1N4001) in series with the throttle. The circuit is available from various Z scale sources. Digitrax makes a dropping unit, UPZ4, for DCC that will also work with DC. Mark
ebay has a whole bunch of starter sets right now, with many ~$75, a bargain. This steam one would be good. Click the ebay link at the top of the page (or this one is that same link: http://www.ebay.com/?rmvSB=true ) and search for items: 162048890130
