Hello,

My first post here, my name is Lars, I used to enjoy my model railroad when I was between 8-13 years old, then other intressts came in the way. Well, not for my dad, he still enjoys it, probebly because it reminds him of the Märklin railroad he had as a kid. The problem for him is: when I lost intrest, I tore down the HO scale railroad we had built in my room (A quite basic traintrack, but we enjoyed it. I belive we had about 9 engines and maybe 40 different wagons? We mostly bought used items from the 60ths as we found them more appelaing then the modern plastic trains). But allright, enough about that: Ever since I torn down the railroad track, my dad has been dreaming about having a new one, right now our trains are collecting dust and well he sometimes brings out a few pieces of track and build a small railroad which he can sit with for hours. This can not go on. So now, in a few months he is turning 60, and I think its time for me to make up for my evil deed (That is, destroying our railroad): I want to give him a small railroad in a suitcase, a märklin Z-Scale. I have seen the pre-built ones but not only are they quite expensive, but I would also lose the chance to build one to him myself (I have done it once and belive I could do it again :) ).

Im planning to buy a used old suitcase, this starter set: http://www.maerklinshop....f7499bb&anid=M081560 and then build the rest. I would need help with the following, which track pieces do I need to build a track like this: http://www.station500.com/picture/noch/88100_1.jpg

A small list of Z-track pieces from märklin with their article number would be fantastic if anyone could provide me with. Thanks in advance!

Best regards:
Lars

Hi Lars,

Welcome! In choosing Z gauge you may have picked probably the most challenging, but for your circumstances probably the best, option.

Bearing in mind what Chris said, I would suggest you find your suitcase first (it would need to be very sturdy and not too deep, I'd have thought) and then plan the layout to fit the space. The circuit you're interested in is fairly standard.

Hope this helps,

Pete

Hi Pete.

Yes, I had a pretty close look at several photos of the layout and they all tended to indicate that the right side of the inner loop was stretched slightly and that the left side was compressed so that by the time it got hack to the 'top' of the layout it was an inch away from the upper track. With a slightly larger case one could do it the correct case but it probably works fine as it as each joint would have about 2 degrees error. Anyway, it must work otherwise Noch wouldn't be doing it. (I know it works as I have a few 'strained' joints on my own layout.

All the best,
Chris.

I think the case is a standard size and only just large enough to manage it with the easement.

Chris.

Wow! Thank you all very much so far! So, I would need to do some slight modifications to the tracks? Is there any other similar track plan you could help me with? A quite basic one but not just a round circle. I will go and look for a suitcase this week, got a feeling that this small birthday project might take some time, so might as well get started ASAP.

Hello!

Ah thank you, what internal dimensions would a case need to fit this kind of track layout pictured?

Best regards

Hi and Welcome to the forum, Lars.

The case used by Noch is ext. 50x37x12cm and the 'board' is 47x34x10cm which, of course, would be the int. dimensions for the case.

Bets wishes,
Chris.

Good luck Lars. Keep us up to date with your progress please.

All the best,
Chris.

Hi Lars.

Looking good. I guess that just some of the curved tracks have to be a slightly larger radius to give that configuration.

Best wishes,
Chris.

I'm confused. What happened to Lars? Where did Z - Nerd come from in this thread?

Now that you point it put, I'm confused too!
Chris.

N scale is almost itentical to Z scale, well near enough that they can use the same Noch kit.

Track required is:

8503 Straight Track 55mm (2-3/16") (2)
8504 Straight Track 25mm (1") (1)
8505 Straight Track 220mm (8-13/16") (1)
8506 Straight Track 108.6mm (4-1/4") (1)
8510 Curved Track R145mm (5-3/4") 45 Degree (1)
8520 Curved Track R195mm (7-11/16") 45 Degree (11)
8521 Curved Track R195mm (7-11/16) 30 Degree (7)
8530 Curved Track R220mm (8-11/16") 45 Degree (1)
8531 Curved Track R220mm (8-11/16") 30 Degree (2)
8563R Turnout Straight Right Remote 110mm 4-3/8" Radius 13 Degree R490mm (19-1/4") (3)
8568L Turnout Curved Left Remote 125mm 4-5/16" Radius 30 Degree R195mm (7-11/16") (1)
8954 Isolating Rail Joiners (1 kit)
7272 Switch Controller (1)

Or use Rokuhan track which may be cheaper and has built in roadbed. Also available from Noch. (E.G. Noch cat no, 97401 = Rokuhan A001 feeder cable) I don't have the track numbers to hand but they are easy enough to find on the web.) There are no feeder tracks as any length of track can easily be made into a feeder by ejecting an insert and pushing in the feeder cable. If I do build another Z scale layout that is what I will use.

Hope that helps.

Chris.

Hope that helps.

Not sure. It was a shop in the USA 'cos they quoted the cost as about $300.Sorry, no.No, that's fair enough. I just tried it for a test track without turnouts. Maybe I won't use it after all.Yupp!!Just tried i for you and the test turnout did change but it was quite weak. I guess you will need the batteries to be in good charge. Alternatively build a 9V pack with C or D size.

Hope that helps.
Chris.

You can trust it. It was an official list and can be found via Google though it took me a while. I am up to my eyes with work here and don't have time to go searching for it again.
Chris.