My Z scale habit

This is my German Z scale layout. This layout has fully functional overhead-catenary.

Eric the images aren't coming through.

Bill,

I hoped that fixed it.

Wow! Eric, the images are stunning!

but....I left HO because of my nimble hands and poor eyesight!

Great post. I've long wanted a Z, N, HO, G, whatever (ok well....all of it......) German/Euro layout. This is just beautiful and exactly what I would want. 

 

We had a LOT of LGB dealers around here so I saw lots of LGB products over the years as well as some Marklin HO and Z Euro layouts and have always loved them. Love those German steamers and the red and black. 

 

Thanks for posting!

It's only appropriate to see European themed layouts in z, since Maerklin invented the scale!

Erik,

I don't know how you do it, but you never cease to amaze me.  

 

All of your threads are excellent ways of promoting the hobby and I find them truly enjoyable.  Not to mention your photography is top notch.

 

Thanks for being an asset to our hobby.  Your a good man.

How about some fun progrezz photos?


It all started here with a bunch of Z scale Mini-Club stuff I bought off an estate. Started to play with it and I was addicted. How can I detail this like O scale?

The catenary system I used on the German layout is a Mini-Club product first offered in 1975. It is fully functional and in most cases is better than rail pickup. The pans slide on the etched catenary overhead and reduce the chances of contact problems so common to small scales. These little guys have so little mass. Märklin does have it figured out however and in most cases these little trains run better than many far larger scales. You likely noticed the wide profile of the rail head. This is a must in Z; those electrons like that wider surface area. 


When installing the overhead I needed to set it up and adjust it completely before actually setting the track. In a way I laid the rail twice. It was a challenge that after some practice became pretty straight forward and very rewarding.


The yards were especially difficult. A test German Krodil was a must. The short distance between the pans made it a tough guy to accommodate.



Moving along with the scenery was the part I enjoy most. In Z scale you can force large distance in a small space. A lot of cool trickery!

It may be small as heck but that doesn't mean you can't detail it!

Progrezz from my Swiss layout was an attempt at fine scale overhead using FR of Switzerland's brass kits. Awesome stuff!

My wife is a darn good sport at the shows.




And my pup Lizzy.

Functional block signals.

Where are the key locomotives for this layout??????

Great Z scal layout. Amazing detail on such small trains. I think my HO can be small sometimes But Z would test my old eyes for sure. 

 

Have you ever thought about building a large sized layout in Z?

Beautiful stuff, the layouts and the photography. 

 

I have two sets of Z, but never got beyond test-running.

Spectacular work. It's so tiny. Makes me want to look at another scale to do on the side. Thanks for sharing.  Nick

Sure does, and the beauty of N or Z is that a nice layout can be made so portable.  I think, too, of the empire that could be created in the space the O-gauge takes up!

Holy cow!!!! That is really cool .... amazing work!

Thanks fellas

It's small often times too small. But I like the challenge and the kids love it.

More images of my layouts. The logo is a creation I did for the layout.

I know in this video the pans are down on my RE4/4; I should note I can run both track power and overhead.

The SBB EW cars are from Z-bahn of Switzerland hand made and the lok is a SBB/CFF RE4/4 from Märklin. The new stuff today is HO quality in detail and operation.

Beautiful layout & photos.

WOW Erik High end brass, z scale and kids, its amazing you can afford to pay attention. But hey, any guy that lets his 60 pound puppy sit on his lap cant be all that bad

All kidding aside, youre tiny little railroad is sweet, love the detail. Your dog is pretty sweet too

Erik,great work when you say the. kids love it you mean us older kids LOL. All kidding aside you did a magnificent job on these layouts. What size are they and are they dc powered? I also noticed some roku or micro trains z track too.
Great work..