A friend just gave me an Micro Trains Z gauge train set. I have about 12 feet of track and a pair of switches (turnouts). Never having done anything with Z scale before I'm at a loss as to what to do for a layout design. It can't be too big as there isn't much track. Does any one have an idea what I can do for a layout design?
Thanks for any ideas.
Jay
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We have a guy at the club that will bring his Z layout to our open house.
Scott Smith
With that small amount of track, you can either do an oval with a passing siding or an oval with a small staging yard, but not much else.
Chuck
Buy more track...
@Sean007 posted:Buy more track...
agreed buy more track/switches
Anyone have a inexpensive source for track and switches? What I have was over $100 with shipping/ handling and tax.
Jay
Scott Smith: Was that layout built on a hollow core door? Looks like it might be an idea for mine.
Jay
Just build a simple loop for the novelty of it, and put it in a suitcase or guitar case or something else to be fun.
@trainman129 posted:Scott Smith: Was that layout built on a hollow core door? Looks like it might be an idea for mine.
Jay
A hollow core door would work ; however his layout was on a small piece of wood.
Scott Smith
Best advice I can offer… DON’T SNEEZE.
Is it flex track? 12 feet seems like it should be a lot in Z scale. Definitely grab some switch tracks though.
Do you know if you prefer switching operations or mainline operations?
There are a several vendors who specialize in Z scale that you may want to look into. Here are two:
I've dealt with Z scale monster and they have a broad selection and very attractive pricing.
There is also a magazine that specializes in Z scale:
Back issues readily available.
What I would do is make an amusement park on an O layout. Put the loop, put a few fun-to-do item in the middle.
What you do really depends on your objectives with Z.
I have a Z-scale layout inside a coffee table that I built. Two independent loops folded over on each other.
I'm not a big fan of switches - Z doesn't shine for switching - better for loop running, IMO.
In addition to the preceding suggestions for an amusement park ride or a guitar case layout, I've also seen Z used in a Barbie diorama - Barbie, Ken, and friends standing around with the Z scale train as a garden railway.
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