Zzzzzzzzzz think small

[jonclox]

Now totally out of order posting this in an N Gauge forum an I apologise in advance but Ive been asked by a friend whether Z gauge is a viable option and what its quality is like, and how easy is assembly 
I think/suspect that if the lady goes ahead and buys  one of Noch`s layout boards and then panics that I`m going to be bullied into sorting things out ready for when her better  half is given it as a present
Any random thoughts? nothing deep and heavy just passing comments for now please   

[poliss]

Chris Manvell's website is the one to look at.
Here's his page showing what's available in German Z.
http://trains.manvell.org.uk/z-scale/index.htm
His exhibition pages. Take a good look around at the history of his layout too.  http://trains.manvell.org.uk/exhibitions/20110326-Moray/

Oh, before someone says you need very good eyesight for Z scale, Chris's eyesight isn't the best.

This 3 part video shows the quality of American Z, or Zeeeeeee as they call it. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RupjcQHXMRk

Links to Z gauge manufacturers. http://www.zscale.org/links/manufacturers.html

[jonclox]

Thanks poliss
I might even enjoy browsing thro that lot.
%£!&* small size tho isn`t it?  

[zwilnik]

I picked up a Marklin basic set off e-bay a while back as I've always been Z curious and it was cheap

Very impressive pieces of engineering, but in practical terms kind of similar to N gauge in its infancy as motors can only go so small and tiny engines can only pull so much. Still looks great though, but I certainly wouldn't recommend shunting. Like T gauge you need to use re-railers to put everything on the track unless you're spectacularly dexterous and the lightest of knocks or track blemishes will derail stuff It's also a very expensive format. Very much like N used to be.

Certainly fun for scenic layouts as the Z Gauge models look a lot better than the T gauge ones and as long as you can lay the track nicely, you can have a train running round all day. I've seen a few really nice 'shop' layouts where they've mixed N Gauge and Z Gauge around mountains etc.

[longbridge]

I really like Z gauge and to be honest at a show last year what I though was an N scale layout turned out to be a Z gauge setup, I for one would not be put of by the size of Z and think it would be fun to model and operate.
A couple of pictures of the Zeee layout at the show.

[Lawrence]

Philistines all of ye!!  Be gone I say 

[EtchedPixels]

I used to do some German Z, but since then Märklin went under and got sort of reborn, collectors have taken over so second hand prices of much useful stuff are insane, you can't get spares easily any more and quite frankly unless you *are* the bank manager I'd go N. In terms of UK stuff Z is basically defunct, UK Z was still born and never really happened.

US Z is a bit brighter - but pricy and horribly fractured with every vendor using subtly incompatible couplers. Japanese Z is just taking off and some really cool bits appearing that are very handy for NN3. Thing with US stuff is that in the UK you can practically pick up US N gauge wagons for postage costs which makes Z look pricy !

Personally I'd avoid those preformed layouts like the plague as well.

Alan

[jonclox]

Thanks guys. I`ll pass the comments on and advise good ole . 

[jonclox]

Philistines all of ye!!  Be gone I say 

Boooooooo get back to your own side of 'Adrians Wall 

[poliss]

My flat is right on top of the course of Hadrian's wall. 

[jonclox]

My flat is right on top of the course of Hadrian's wall. 

I hope you know which is the correct side to come down from it then 

[jonclox]

Update..
Not sure whether it was my doing or the price shock but the ladies decided not to go ahead with her plan.
I`m therefore off the hook but will be keeping one eye open for any cheepie items up for sale via well known auction site.

[OwL]

Thanks guys. I`ll pass the comments on and advise good ole . 

Hi jonclox,

Z stuff is great, well modelled and very good for those tight on space. The down side is the price, it will hammer any working mans wallet more so than N gauge could ever dream of doing!!!!

[Chris M.]

Good afternoon/evening/night/morning*. (*Delete as appropriate.) First, I would like to thank poliss for mentioning my website. Since his message, quite a few new items added and I have even more on my computer to be added in the next couple of days. However, you will not find any British outline. I was introduced to German (and other European) models when I was in my teens. At the time, British models were not very reliable, esp. Triang. Sadly, I gave up on model railways due to lack of money. That was in the 1960's. As I was coming up to retirement I decided to build an extensive layout in one of our spare rooms. However, one year into retirement I discovered Z scale, fell in love with it and decided put N on hold and start with that.

As has been stated, Z IS very small (but not as small as T, which I have also dabbled with) and this partly explains the high cost of the models and track. But Märklin is expensive anyway. It is essential that track work is laid impeccably. As poliss (I think) mentioned, my eyesight is not as good as it could be as I have severe macular degeneration in my right eye so have to rely on my left eye only. This does slow me down but not a lot, as the 2011 diary shows. What has become much more difficult is making up kits. I have a footbridge to kitbash and a replacement signal box to build. I've been putting that off.

For that reason, I will soon be starting on design work for my, hitherto differed, n-scale dream. I will keep you in the picture when I start.

All the best,
Chris.

[jonclox]

Hiyas Chris M. and welcome to  .
Thanks for adding to my thread with some more help.
I`m not following the original path but am 'going solo' doing an odd bit of 2nd hand collecting here and there if the price looks reasonable.Z gauge has got me intrigued but I wont let it replace my N  gauge interests.
I  may call upon your knowledge of Z by PM if you don't mind to save sidetracking these forums to much