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Ed Full Member 
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In my post at the end of November last year I said I thought I’d experiment with something small, just to get back into some sort of modelling mode. Well here it is, something small, (and they don’t come much smaller) I’ve bought a Noch ‘MERAN’ layout, 75 x 50.5cm. 13cm high (approximately 29.5” x 19.9”. 5.1” high). It’s made of structured hard foam, seems pretty strong and is very light. I got the layout from a model shop in Germany via ebay and then had to pay VAT on import, (knew should have stayed in the EU  ), which was a bit cheaper than buying from a UK model shop.https://www.noch.com/meran-layout/87000/  To get started I’ve also bought a Marklin 81701 DB BR89 Steam Freight Starter Set IV and a Marklin T3 Extension Set via Amazon, a used US loco and some US rolling stock from Rails of Sheffield’s ebay shop and some more Marklin track from Gaugemaster, who seem to be one of the very few model shops that stock Z gauge in the UK.       The Marklin track and rolling stock I’ve bought so far is rather expensive, but I’m not intending to build a model railway ‘empire’ in Z scale, it’s just a one-off project. I’m also going to try and use Peco Z gauge flexible track as well where possible, to cut down the costs. I’ve started glueing the Marklin track at the front of the layout with PVA, which seems to be working ok and is not affecting the foam layout.  Progress is very slow as it is all very small and fiddly. The points all have a large (bit unsightly) plastic housing on one side for the solenoid motor, which I assume is empty in the non-electric version. Apologies for the picture quality, but I’m attempting to use my phone for pictures and video which is a bit of a learning curve. Ed Last edited on Mon Jan 23rd, 2023 12:22 pm by Ed |
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Ed Full Member
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Some scale comparison pictures. OO Gauge Hornby 'Pug' and Z Gauge German Federal Railroad (DB) class 89 steam locomotive   Graham Farish N Gauge Class 47 and Marklin Z Gauge 8809 Southern Pacific EMD F7 Diesel-Electric Locomotive.  Ed |
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Marty Enjoying the Journey 
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Go Ed! I shall be interested in hearing your opinion comparing N to Z. Just random thoughts mate… as and when they come to you. I’ve seen some wonderful “railway in a landscape” Z scale layouts and have thought about trying one. Enjoy Last edited on Tue Jan 24th, 2023 01:05 pm by Marty |
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Ed Full Member
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Hi Marty Initial thoughts are, N although not a lot bigger allows more detail, but as you say Z would be great for a railway in a landscape, without needing a somewhere the size of a warehouse to model in. Marklin European outline Z is also very expensive here in the UK, but you may find US outline cheaper in your part of the world. Ed Last edited on Tue Jan 24th, 2023 03:43 pm by Ed |
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Petermac Admin 
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I've got a load of Chinese Z Scale stuff sitting in a box somewhere, still unopened and given to me by a toy collector friend. He also gace me a G scale 2 truck Shay loco - I'll take a photo of those two side by side for comparison when I get time ................... I often struggle with OO scale, particularly the internal electrics so neither N nor certainly Z will be getting much of my attention anymore. Good luck with yours Ed - you'd get the whole of the East Coast main line on an 8 x 4 board ..........................  |
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AUSSIETRAINS Member
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An E Bay purchase many years ago got me started. 10 years on and this is as far as I have got. The base board is 1200 x 600 m.m.     |
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Ed Full Member
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Petermac wrote: you'd get the whole of the East Coast main line on an 8 x 4 board .......................... I wish  Ed |
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Ed Full Member
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AUSSIETRAINS wrote: An E Bay purchase many years ago got me started. Looks good John, shows how much you can get in a small space  Ed |
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Ed Full Member
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A short video testing the track laid so far, from a couple of days ago. (Just got to get used to pointing the phone at what's moving and operating controls at the same time )Ed Last edited on Thu Jan 26th, 2023 02:25 pm by Ed |
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Ed Full Member
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Found some time today to do a bit more track laying.   I've found that the webbing needs to be cut at quite regular intervals on flexitrack to get around the curves, and (in such a small scale), is to say the least, challenging  The brass screws are just holding the track to shape while the PVA glue dries. I'm also investigating making Z scale trees from wire and various fibres as the cost of 'ready to plonk' ones is eyewatering Sample on many videos available on the subject :- How to make Loren's Amazing Z scale Trees - YouTube Ed |
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Ed Full Member
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Slow progress, but I've finally got two sections of Peco flexible track laid. Very fiddly, and I need to remove the screws when the glue has dried and glue in some additional sleepers in the gaps where the rails join. Soldering track feeds to Z gauge rails is just about possible with a magnifying visor and a lot of patience.  Doesn't look great, but shouldn't really be noticeable if I take the plunge and ballast the track Ed |
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Petermac Admin
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Oh for a G scale layout ............  Reading instructions won't ever be a problem in the future Ed..... |
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Ed Full Member
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Instructions, what are they. Must be where I'm going wrong Peter Ed |
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