I can't do carpentry work worth a lick, so while going through the n scale forum, I found a build four foot ntrack module. I am thinking, maybe I can adopt it to zmod. What do you guys think. http://www.realityreduced.com/Reality_Reduced/Products.html
if you're going to do that, why don't you buy the plastic 4 foot table at WalMart/Sam's for $40. you can put plugs in the attached legs and drill for carriage bolts for adjustment. i'll bet you'll spend more for lumber and fittings than it costs to by the plastic table and build on top of that. just an idea. dave f.
They have a few photos of this at an online store, looks to be pretty well constructed and an nice out-of-the box starting point: http://www.featherrivertrains.com/cgi-bin/webstore/shop.cgi?ud=BQYDBQMAAgwHABQUEhARHQAMAAkHBwUFBAgSEAAA&storeid=1&sortby=itemid&cols=1&c=detail.htm&t=main.detail.htm&itemid=RR-POFF John Ztrains: Z Scale (1:220) Model Train Layouts
having said that ... if you are going to use them with a groups modules, you may have to be sure they will take a clamp, or you won't be able to connect them with other's wood-end modules. i've looked at those plastic tables many times with the thought of using them for modules. you might want to study one to see if they can do it. dave f.
Hey Dave, Another option is using Blank Doors for modules. I'm gathering information to do a 3rd and Townsend (San Francisco) style module with the back of the station on one end and tracks leading to the mainline as a T on the other end. Picture the standard 2' wide module with the outer mainline splitting into a Y and heading off to the right where there yard is. IF you look at the attached map of the Bay Area Yards, you can see how the Passenger Terminal is laid out...this part will jut out at a right angle from the normal module run to form a dead end T. http://wx4.org/to/foam/sp/maps/a_chinabasin1956.jpg Here's a photo feature of the area. THIRD & TOWNSEND DEPOT We are planning to use this at MTL to photograph the Passenger products on the way. Ought to be interesting. Cheers Joe
John, It looks like it would work. If you do Z-Bend Track you wouldn't even need to attach the sky board. Randy
That's a good point Randy. I haven't seen one of these units in person and I don't know how stable it really is... but it does look solid and I really like clean work. John Ztrains: Z Scale (1:220) Model Trains
John Joe's idea of a blank door is wrothy of noting.... Its a very cheep and simple way to make a good solid foundation for a modile layout. I saw a gut at the last show with a lyout on a door, and he added folding table legs to the bottom. This guy still did hard board cut out sides that followed the contour of his scenery, and hung down over the edge fof the door to hide the wiring underneath.. John.. this could really be the best and easiest way for you to go!!!! Get a door from a local supply house, and some folding legs and your set!!!! Tony B.... Wasatch Z Club
No Saw Train Table The Dec issue of RMC has a nice article about a No Saw Train Table. The section is about making a simple starter layout somewhat similar to the WGH. The layout looks somewhat like a bent paper clip with a double track "loop" on one side & a couple of industries in the middle. The Train Table attaches a set of Folding Metal Table Legs to a 3/4" thick sheet of Birch Plywood. A 2" thick sheet of Pink, Blue or Yellow Insulation Styrofoam makes the base. The table should take about an hour to construct & may cost about $100.
I picked up a 24x80 blank door at Home Depot for $19.00 and two straight 1x4's to lay across my saw horses ($5.00) to keep it level. Here is a design for the Townsend Module utilizing our roadbed track. Now for the most part, the track near the terminal will be flex that will transition into the switches. I'll make another module that is 2x3 that fits on the left end that has the 4 thru tracks and the switch transitions in to the terminal module. What a great place to display those MTL and AZL and Marklin SP Passenger car consists next year!!! Cheers Joe
Thanks. Can't wait to load it up. A long time ago I wanted to do an N Scale layout of the hole China Basin yard area. It would be shaped like a triangle to include the passenger terminal that looped into the SP Freight Yard. But in N scale I was looking at a huge layout, one I'd never have room for. I think some day it could be done in Z and make one heck of an anchor for a modular layout...especially if you were a switching freak like I am. I think on this layout I am planning, those AZL articulated passenger cars will be the Queen of the Prom. Joe MTL
Joe, In the trackplan I see an X crossover in the middle of the yard. Is that a Marklin crossover or does MTL have something in the works (please say yes)? It's shown as single line rather than double line like everything else, does that mean it's a missing piece? Randy
Randy, I will have to say NO. Do not hold your breath waiting for any crossovers from MTL. Sorry, Jim CCRR
Hey Randy, Your right, currently I will be using the Marklin Cross over since I want to have this up and running in a few weeks. Funny I didn't see Jim CCRR in our planning meetings regarding the track, would have offered him a cup of coffee, but you don't have to worry about holding your breath or anything. The three pieces of track necessary to use a 13-degree cross over in a ladder have been designed and in the que for tooling quotes and production. Hate to ruin Jim's perfect record at anticipating our development schedules! ) Cheers Joe MTL
Well, Jim, Joe did say recently that he was working on design on more track pieces but didn't tell us what they all were. Thanks for the update, Joe. (originally posted this at the same time as your reposnse.) Randy
Oh yeah. Couple of rements of the truntable and maybe a Powell Street Cable Car just a bit wayward fo Market and . . . Just what every clubster needs. More staging area. .
Joe, great news that there will be further and more interesting track development from MTL. WOW a cross over set to connect to two pairs of turnouts will be spectactular, and well needed. I really think MTL's new snap track is and will continue to be one of the biggest driving forces in getting Z scale into more peoples hands... Great track system.... tell the folks at MTL to please keep up the great work!!!:tb-biggrin: And as always Joe, your the best freind in the industry we Z guys and gals have!!:tb-cool: Tony B... Wasatch Z Club
