Z Scale

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Anonymous

Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts

Z Scale

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 29, 2004 1:57 AM

Can anyone help me on finding some ideas for a layout in Z Scale, I would like to try a basic layout in this scale for the novice level to get a feel for this scale and also due to a lack of space for an HO. Any help would be appreciated.

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tstage

Moderator

Member since
June 2003
From: Northeast OH
17,216 posts

Posted by tstage on Friday, October 29, 2004 12:58 PM

barkhook,

How big (or small) of a space do you have to work with? Z-scale is pretty tiny (1:220) and very small to work on. Have you considered N (1:160)? It's a nice go between Z and HO scale. You might also try to see if one of the local hobby stores (LHS) in your area has a Z-scale layout or test track that you can see first hand.

Just some thoughts...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

egmurphy

Member since
January 2003
From: Mexico
2,629 posts

Posted by egmurphy on Friday, October 29, 2004 1:31 PM

I used to discount Z scale until I saw some examples during layout tours. I was really impressed by what those guys had done. Sure it's small, but like anything there are always trade-offs.

I'm in N because in the 3' x 6'-8" space I have I could barely fit an oval in HO. I have a small but acceptable layout in N, but have a lot of tight 9-3/4" radius curves. In Z scale I could really have space to have decent curves and open areas between my industries.

I don't know any site with specific Z scale track plans, but take a look at the following site. It is geared towards small trackplans for N scale. I believe Z scale layouts based on these plans would fit in dimensions around 3/4 the size. That is a 2'x4' layout in N scale would be about a 1-1/2' x 3' layout in Z scale.
http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm

That may not translate exactly as I don't know what radius curves are standard in Z scale or what turnout sizes are available. But it should serve as a starting point.

One last idea. You might want to check out the Trainboard forum website. They have a specific Z scale forum, although there's not a lot of traffic on it.

Regards

Ed

The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener

NZRMac

Member since
September 2004
From: Christchurch New Zealand
1,525 posts

Posted by NZRMac on Friday, October 29, 2004 1:59 PM

Have a look at Model Railroader magazine Nov 2004 Z scale in three suitcases!!!

DSchmitt

Member since
September 2003
From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
4,422 posts

Posted by DSchmitt on Friday, October 29, 2004 2:13 PM

This site has Z layouts: http://www.lattermann.com/amaZing/

While dedicated to much larger scales, this site has a lot of neat ideas for small spaces: http://carendt.us/

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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