General Discussion (Model Railroader)

Hello everyone, I'm new to model RR.  All of my life I've always wanted to build my own RR.  Well, I have my opportunity now.  I've purchased a Z-Scale set of a Milwaukee Road Train Set.  I love it!  I am very excited to start!  I guess that I'm just looking for some Z-Scale guys to help me out.  Thanks!

Welcome to the hobby and the forum.  Though many modeling concepts are similar for all scales, you won't find many z scale modelers here. 

Welcome to the Forum

You may get a better response from fellow Z scalers  if you put something in the subject line about Z scale

MKERR64:

Hello everyone, I'm new to model RR.  All of my life I've always wanted to build my own RR.  Well, I have my opportunity now.  I've purchased a Z-Scale set of a Milwaukee Road Train Set.  I love it!  I am very excited to start!  I guess that I'm just looking for some Z-Scale guys to help me out.  Thanks!

Welcome to our hobby.  Local train shows here in Milwaukee often feature the portable layout of the WIZ Kidz, a Z scale club.  And a new Z scale club is forming; here is the phone number but I know nothing more about it (920)668-6857.   Joe Russ's website The Scheduleboard is a helpful resource about train shows and other events in SE Wisconsin.

http://my.execpc.com/~jruss/schedule.html

I assume you know that WK Walthers at 60th and Florist often has Z scale stuff on their "damaged packaging" shelf at bargain prices

Do you belong to the NMRA?  The local division has free monthly meets that will start up again in fall and that is a great way to meet other people who can assist you.  http://www.wisedivision.org/

We sponsor Trainfest in November which you will not want to miss (at State Fair Park).  Best of all in 2010 the national NMRA convention will be here in Milwaukee, complete with the National Train show.

Dave Nelson

There is at least one magazine out there that specializes in Z scale stuff:

 http://www.ztrack.com/

Unfortunately since it's very much a 'minority scale' the mainstream model press (Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman etc.) only occasionally show Z scale layouts or review Z scale products. However things you learn in those mags, like scenery and general modelling tips, will apply to all scales.

Walthers produces an N and Z scale combined catalogue that you can get at the LHS (local hobby shop) that will give you an idea of what is available in Z.

Be prepared to scratch build and kitbash. ALOT.

One thing to think about before you buy a lot of stuff is what couplers you'll use. Marklin and Micro-Trains come with different couplers. Micro-Trains uses kadee type couplers similar to what most of us in the other scales use. If possible, I would try to just get cars and engines that use those...however you can convert cars to kadee type couplers if they come with the Marklin style ones.

Similarly, think about which track. Marklin makes many track pieces, but you need to add roadbed. Micro-Trains has track with roadbed attached; the pieces of track snap together securely. That might be easier, particularly for a first layout in a very small scale !!

Micro-Trains track

Hi Corey

Thanks for the"Welcome"

Corey,

Thanks for your ideas.

Sorry About the "Z" thing.  But I do apreciate your help, thank you...

Mr. Greenhorn - To you I say, YOU ROCK,  I can barely see what I'm doing in HO scale. However, do what you love, and do it with a passion. This is a great hobby full of intelligent people who are most willing to help in any way; just ask, and you won't be dissapointed!

Jimmy

Stix,

Thank you for the Z info, and thank you for the great welcome!

Do you know of a web-site that I could download some AutoCad "blocks" (.dwg) of standard "Z" scale track segments?

Most of the Z scale is from across "the pond" in Europe.