Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,165
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Since I have got a couple of Z-scale waggons as presents, I feel I must start out with a tiny Z-scale layout... My thought is to have 2 similar layouts mounted on boards. One snowy landscape for the winter/Christmas season and one for the rest of the year... I will just swap the boards when the season comes... Since I don't know much about Z starter sets and the Märklin Z pages suck, I need some advice... The "winter" layout must have a steamer, and the "summer" layout could use the same loco, or a diesel... Since I feel it would be cheaper to get 2 starter sets than buying individual items I need some recommendations... The prerequisites are: Minimum radius, an oval is enough but the more tracks the better... The layout would be about max 40x90 cm... Any help appreciated!  |
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb] |
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 Joined: 22/04/2004(UTC) Posts: 12,139 Location: New York, NY
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Nice idea going with season layouts, Juhan. Guess there can be lots of track on 40 x 90 ... John |
I hope no one visits a poor Southener's layout in Brooklyn. Intruders beware of Gators.
AT&SF, D&RGW, T&P, SP, WP, UP, BN, NYC, ARR, epI-III - analog & digital Marklin Classics only.
CU#6021 FX-MOTOROLA DIGITAL SYSTEM. Fast as lightning and no trouble. What else ...
Outlaw Member of BIG JUHAN's OUTSIDER CLUB. With the most members, worldwide
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Joined: 03/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 87
Location: ,
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The Märklin Z "Jarbuch" is online here: http://catalog.lokshop.de/MAR/2005/Jahrbuch-D-ZNormaly my first advice to newcomers in Z is to forget about the steamers because of not so very good power pickup, but not all the steamers are hopeless. The worst is the Mikado with 4 driving axles but power pickup on only two of them. So stay away from that, and you should be fine. Diesels and electrics with two or three axle trucks runs great. |
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Joined: 12/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 2,528
Location: Groton, Connecticut
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I can't really give a recommendation on the Z start sets other than my wife's opinion, which was none of the start sets actually meet her criteria so we did buy the individual pieces, plus a couple of the extension sets. The only Z set that my wife has actually liked so far is the 81781 Neuschwanstein set. As for Z steamers, I have to disagree with Heine, the various iterations of the Württemberg K series locomotives that Märklin has made in Z have performed quite well.
Ira |
Building German Era I-II layout(Mk IIIc).  |
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 Joined: 25/11/2004(UTC) Posts: 1,106 Location: Guelph, Ontario
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Hello Juhan,
First of I would buy the cheapest Marklin Z-Start-set (# 81562 since the Engine has Lights)and add to it with the Z Flex-Track (it is 660 mm Long) and you can cut it to the length you need.
If you at all interested in American Diesel GP 35 and F 7 ( wash my mouth out with Soap) have a look at the Micro-Trains Line.
The GP from Micro-Trains runs better then anything Marklin has made so far.
A word of caution ones you start it is hard to stop and Marklin Z is as expensive as HO.
Have Fun, Martin |
marklin-eh |
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Joined: 16/05/2003(UTC)
Posts: 161
Location: ,
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Hello Juhan,
If I am allowed to make a suggestion: See my other z-topic 81781 + Neuschwanstein. Marvelous z-starter set.
Typically 259 euros from Marklin. Now sold by Conrad Electronics for 159 euros. Including track, 2 switches, S3/8 (BR 18) steam loco and 3 coaches. And of course including the castle.
I am still busy building a winter layout with this set also. (If regular work allows me to....).
Regards,
Hans
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Joined: 15/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 707
Location: Texas, USA
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Juhan,
I agree fully with Hans! |
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Joined: 06/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 1,159
Location: The Netherlands
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Absolutly AFB-NOHAB fan ;-) |
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Joined: 03/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 87
Location: ,
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by HueyCE
I have to disagree with Heine, the various iterations of the Württemberg K series locomotives that Märklin has made in Z have performed quite well.
Ira
Thats good news! I guess it's one of the better steamers. but stay away from the 2-8-2... The small 3 axle steamer is running better than that one. Unless you are running it at the speed of light...  Here is my winter layout:  And here is my Neuschwanstein:  This layout is very under construction. Still a lot of work to do... |
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Joined: 12/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 2,528
Location: Groton, Connecticut
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I like your "Layout in a Shelf". My wife is still working out track plans for her layout to incorperate her Neuschwanstein set, I hope you don't mind if she steals some details from yours. I'll pass along your warning about the 2-8-2.
Ira
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Building German Era I-II layout(Mk IIIc). |
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Joined: 15/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 707
Location: Texas, USA
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Heine, it sure looks great. Two extremes, very small and very large! |
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 Joined: 21/10/2004(UTC) Posts: 31,689 Location: United Kingdom
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Excellent small and large layout. |
Large Marklinist 3- Rails Layout with CS2/MS2/Boosters/C-track/favorites Electric class E03/BR103, E18/E118, E94, Crocodiles/Steam BR01, BR03, BR05, BR23, BR44, BR50, Big Boy. |
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Joined: 03/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 87
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Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,165
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Excellent, Heine...
How will a small 3-axle steamer run compared to this?
I have only seen 2 "live" Z-layouts... One demonstration layout from Brio, the Swedish importer, where a steamer (BR01?) was running on steroids, and the shop-window layout at a jewellers shop in Copenhagen (I believe it is a part of Illum's...) with a small 3-axle steamer + hoppers filled with jewels (all gold plated)... |
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb] |
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Joined: 21/10/2004(UTC) Posts: 31,689 Location: United Kingdom
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Excellent video and very good smooth running. |
Large Marklinist 3- Rails Layout with CS2/MS2/Boosters/C-track/favorites Electric class E03/BR103, E18/E118, E94, Crocodiles/Steam BR01, BR03, BR05, BR23, BR44, BR50, Big Boy. |
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Joined: 12/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 2,528
Location: Groton, Connecticut
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That is a smooth running loco.
Ira |
Building German Era I-II layout(Mk IIIc). |
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Joined: 03/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 87
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Webmaster
How will a small 3-axle steamer run compared to this?
You will have to run it faster to avoid it from runing junpy or stopping. |
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Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,165
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Can the small 3-axled steamer be run at somewhat reasonable speed? I mean, I don't want to run a display layout on steroids... I had an N-layout in my kitchen window once, worked quite ok but I had to run slightly over prototypical speed to make it work somewhat reliably... |
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb] |
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Joined: 03/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 87
Location: ,
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Well, it runs OK when the wheels and tracks are clean, and the track is not "bumpy". But you have to clean often... |
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Joined: 06/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 1,159
Location: The Netherlands
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I can advice you to buy track cleaning car 8802.  It really keeps the tracks in good condition, and works often better then cleaning the tracks yourself. |
Absolutly AFB-NOHAB fan ;-) |
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Joined: 03/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 55
Location: drammen,
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but this car instead of the rail bus : http://www.heinepedersen.com/miniclub/rensevogn.htm i have one myself  just soak it with alcohol an place it in front of your train, then it clean the wheels of the train too. but remember to lock the pads in a safe place, i hawe managed to loose them..[xx(] |
analog american mini-club
1950+ |
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