"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Yeah, just a bit too big. Works for O scale though.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The Micro Trains GP35 measures out to roughly 21 HO feet long.
Regardless, peope do it. There is a guy who has a module here in northern Virginia who has a mini oval on his HO corner module with a train ride on it. It looks cool enough and I haven't seen anyone criticize him for it not being exactly to a correct scale park ride, which can be sizable in some cases. There are some sizable park or minature train rides in England for example.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I haven't seen it available anywhere in the U.S. yet, but there's a new scale in Japan, T, that is about half Z.
It's a little too big for HO scale, but it works for O scale. Ray and Renee Grosser did it on their O scale Nostalgia Trip layout. See the photo on page 50 of Great Model Railroads 2012.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
CattThe Micro Trains GP35 measures out to roughly 21 HO feet long.
Using a small locomotive like an 0-4-0, 0-6-0, or a 70 Tonner would make it look more like a backyard layout, although still a bit large.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Could be passable as an amusement park railroad.
Bob Schuknecht Could be passable as an amusement park railroad.
For sure.
Actually, Z scale equipment in HO would approximate the Christmas ride-on train I encountered on one of my infrequent mall visits several years ago. Carbodies were about 30 inches wide, step over the side seating (one person per seat) and about six seats per car.
A train of similar scale was running in Austin when I lived there many moons ago. IIRC It was an outdoor operation in a city park. The train spent its nights in a long closed shed.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - HOj with HOe 762mm gauge feeders)
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Santa Fe all the way!So, its too big to be ride On, but too small to be ride in.
Have a look here....
http://www.rhdr.org.uk/
.....it may give you inspiration.
Another one I saw was Z scale on a G scale layout - I think that works out close to G scale in G scale.
Minature Railway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ridable_miniature_railways
I have visited several miniture railways ownd by individuals. There are many more who own equipment usually 1 local and a few cars which they haul to/from and operate at meets.
Some locations in the west:
http://www.svlsrm.org/
http://www.therailroadpark.com/
http://www.adobemtndesertrrpark.com/
http://www.trainmountain.org/
http://www.southernoregonlivesteamers.com/
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.
Someone above mentioned that Z scale track is 22" gauge in HO. Somewhere in Maryland or Virginia when I lived there 30+ years ago, there was a train ride in a park that ran on 18' gauge track, so Z would very well fit into an amusment park ride.
Of course a number of real trains in Maine ran on 24" gauge track for more than 50 years hauling passengers, freight and mail, just like the big guys. Some are restored and are running these days as museum trains.
As mentioned here are reference pictures for you Santa Fe, I can also provide measurements for you. the Locos pictured are Atlas and American Z line, AZL units are friendlier to DCC if that's something you're considering.
You guys sure have led a sheltered life!
Here's T gage:
http://www.tgauge.com/
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T_gauge
Track gage in HO is 10". Perhaps it's TOO small???
My favorite "amusement park" railroad is Redwood Valley Railway. It's 15" gage and is great fun. And the locos are real beauties!
Ed
So thats why you dont have a layout?
Santa Fe all the way!Could someone do the math and tell me what scale a Z scale train would be on a HO layout? I'm thinking of putting a backyard rr on my layout. Thank you.
It may be a bit big for back yard, but the San Francisco Zoo currently has a ride on train that is one foot 10 inches. The equipment came from the 1904 Worlds Fair.