Z Gauge

[Artisan]

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?

[railsquid]

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 (the name literally means "6.5") does a range of Kato-like modular track (actually it looks very similar to Tomix N gauge track).

[Train Waiting]

Hello

Interesting thread on the Forum here:

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=8748.msg457102#msg457102


Best wishes

John

[Ditape]

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.

[ntpntpntp]

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.

[dannyboy]

Japanese manufacturer Rokuhan (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.

[Newportnobby]

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.................

Republic Steel (Z gauge) by Mick Hollyoake, on Flickr

[ntpntpntp]

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.................

Republic Steel (Z gauge) by Mick Hollyoake, on Flickr

3D printed Hymek apparently. Looks like some of the wagons are resin castings
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/

[Bealman]

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.

[emjaybee]

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.

[ntpntpntp]

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

[Bealman]

Thanks! I see they still do flexible track in Z, too.

They never did points, though, did they?

[ntpntpntp]

[Peco] never did points, though, did they?

No, just plain flexi track (which is a pretty good match to Maerklin track)

[zwilnik]

You can even hack it together with N gauge track for a narrow gauge/standard gauge crossover



and my Peco Narrow Gauge loco on a Marklin 0-6-0 chassis

[Bealman]

Now that is cool.