I know I have posted this under N gauge but I would like to know if any members have knowledge of Z gauge. Over the autumn and winter months I want to construct a themed micro layout. I just so happen to have a small board measuring 47cm by 52cm. As the board is small I thought that Z gauge would be a good idea. Can any member who has perhaps constructed a Z gauge layout suggest what are the best manufacturers. I have seen some German locos, rolling stock and scenery but I would prefer the layout to have either British or US locos etc. Also, is there one particular track system that is better than others?
No real experience, but as far as I'm aware there's no RTR British Z gauge, RTR options are pretty much limited to North American, German and Japanese.
Japanese manufacturer Rokuhan (http://www.rokuhan.com/english/) (the name literally means "6.5") does a range of Kato-like modular track (actually it looks very similar to Tomix N gauge track).
Hello
Interesting thread on the Forum here:
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=8748.msg457102#msg457102 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=8748.msg457102#msg457102)
Best wishes
John
I used Marklin mini club when I built a Z gauge layout, they are mainly European outline with some American stock, I do not know any rtr UK outline stock.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/82/3799-051019192810.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=82372)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/82/3799-051019192946.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=82373)
Maerklin are the originators of commercial Z gauge, so naturally a bias toward European models. I have a small selection and an idea for a layout (just not got round to it yet). They are good mechanisms, the later 5 pole motors give better slow running than the original 3-pole motors.
Other producers of US and Japanese items have come into the market more recently, but I have no experience of them. I have a couple of lengths of the Rokuhan track and yes it is indeed pretty much Kato Unitrack for Z :) I once had to repair a couple of Rokuhan points for someone, they were very similar in mechanism design to Unitrack.
As far as British Z goes I believe there have been a couple of resin body kits (eg. class 47?) using Maerklin chassis, but nothing RTR as far as I know.
Quote from: railsquid on October 05, 2019, 04:13:30 PM
Japanese manufacturer Rokuhan (http://www.rokuhan.com/english/) (the name literally means "6.5") does a range of Kato-like modular track (actually it looks very similar to Tomix N gauge track).
Just had a look at the site. There looks to be some nice stuff and it certainly does look like 'mini' Kato Unitrack.
There is British stuff about as can be seen on this Z gauge layout but I have no idea if it is RTR or kitbuilt.................
(https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/48504037567_1de189e808_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gU8SvM)Republic Steel (Z gauge) (https://flic.kr/p/2gU8SvM) by Mick Hollyoake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/182878845@N04/), on Flickr
Quote from: Newportnobby on October 05, 2019, 08:53:06 PM
There is British stuff about as can be seen on this Z gauge layout but I have no idea if it is RTR or kitbuilt.................
(https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/48504037567_1de189e808_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gU8SvM)Republic Steel (Z gauge) (https://flic.kr/p/2gU8SvM) by Mick Hollyoake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/182878845@N04/), on Flickr
3D printed Hymek apparently. Looks like some of the wagons are resin castings
https://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48978 (https://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48978)
This is interesting too
https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/uk-z-models.114295/ (https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/uk-z-models.114295/)
Don't forget, you could always make an N scale narrow gauge layout using Z gauge track.
Peco used to make loco kits to mount on Z mechanisms, but I doubt they still do.
Quote from: Bealman on October 05, 2019, 11:06:18 PM
Don't forget, you could always make an N scale narrow gauge layout using Z gauge track.
Peco used to make loco kits to mount on Z mechanisms, but I doubt they still do.
I have one. I picked it up on FleaBay a while back and later a Marklin loco for the chassis. I've yet to sort out track for a test loop although I have picked a controller.
Quote from: Bealman on October 05, 2019, 11:06:18 PM
Peco used to make loco kits to mount on Z mechanisms, but I doubt they still do.
NG-651 and NG-652 N-6.5 loco body kits are still showing on the Peco web site
https://peco-uk.com/products/saddle-tank-locomotive-kit?_pos=1&_sid=713dbce99&_ss=r (https://peco-uk.com/products/saddle-tank-locomotive-kit?_pos=1&_sid=713dbce99&_ss=r)
Thanks! I see they still do flexible track in Z, too.
They never did points, though, did they?
Quote from: Bealman on October 05, 2019, 11:36:10 PM
[Peco] never did points, though, did they?
No, just plain flexi track (which is a pretty good match to Maerklin track)
You can even hack it together with N gauge track for a narrow gauge/standard gauge crossover :)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/53/8-300617164900.jpeg)
and my Peco Narrow Gauge loco on a Marklin 0-6-0 chassis
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/albums/New_Layout/Dir_1/main_10701.jpeg)
Now that is cool. :thumbsup:
There are other niche manufacturers, but the two main US brands are
Micro Trains
https://www.micro-trains.com/z-scale (https://www.micro-trains.com/z-scale)
and AZL
https://www.americanzline.com/ (https://www.americanzline.com/)
Both have plenty to choose from. If money was no object I could be very tempted
Contact Graham Jones Z Club GB sorry I don't have an address but he allso runs Northampton Models He makes a lot of British outline models in Resin that fit on to German chassis including an H S T ,several diesel locos and steam locos and coaches and wagons as well .
Bob Tidbury
Wonder if he does Z Cars .................................cue much :whistle: ;)
Sadly, I'm old enough to remember Z Cars :(
I'm saying nowt.
(It was good though - James Ellis, Frank Windsor, Brian Blessed and all the others :thumbsup:))
Quote from: Bealman on October 06, 2019, 10:02:10 PM
Sadly, I'm old enough to remember Z Cars :(
I remember my Dad telling me about it :P
Meanwhile, one of the best Z gauge layouts I've seen is US ............
Then of course there is this.......
That sounded like Graham Jones talking in the background ,what layout was the British outline one .
Bob Tidbury
It's in the title, Bob. "Standen Watchett"
With the lumpy baseboards it's a wonder the trains stayed on the track!
It also appears slow running is to be avoided :hmmm:
Graham left me in charge of his snow scene layout at a show once and I just couldn't get the trains to run at the right speed ,and the number of times they derailed was unbelievable some of his tracklaying leaves a lot to be desired ,But he is quite a good modeller ,I remember we stayed at his house and he was actually building one layout the night before a show it was a Z Gauge American layout .
Bob Tidbury
Quote from: Newportnobby on October 07, 2019, 01:26:36 PM
With the lumpy baseboards it's a wonder the trains stayed on the track!
It also appears slow running is to be avoided
Yeah, sadly I thought the same when I watched the video. Could have taken a bit more care with the track laying side of things, as the scenics and the stock look very well done.
Z gauge is perfectly capable of decent slow running, especially the later 5 pole motor mechanisms.
There is a Z gauge meeting at Abingdon this weekend (Sunday 13 Oct)
http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/19285-Oxrail2019IncorporatingZedex (http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/19285-Oxrail2019IncorporatingZedex)
OPENING TIMES: SUN 10.30am - 4pm
ADMISSION: Adults £6.00
Oxford & District Model Railway Club are in our 54th year and proud to present OXRAIL 2019 incorporating ZEDEX the convention for Z scale modellers. Admission is STILL only £6 accompanied children are free as are programs while stocks last. We have 37 high quality layouts attending ranging in gauges from Z to O with 8 Railway related traders , demonstrations and several societies. SEE LISt BELOW.