Joined: 07/01/2012(UTC)
Posts: 10
Location: Cohasset Massachusetts
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Hi Folks,
I am thinking about making a small n scale layout. Any input on the quality on Minitrix vs. Fleischmann models??
How would you rate their track?
I have had LGB and Marklin HO layouts set up around the house since before xmas. I am starting to get the eyeball from my family. My kids and wife want the dinningroom and playroom back.
sean
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 Joined: 09/02/2008(UTC) Posts: 972 Location: North Wiltshire
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Originally Posted by: blackrock  Hi Folks,
I am thinking about making a small n scale layout. Any input on the quality on Minitrix vs. Fleischmann models??
How would you rate their track?
I have had LGB and Marklin HO layouts set up around the house since before xmas. I am starting to get the eyeball from my family. My kids and wife want the dinningroom and playroom back.
sean How selfish of them!  If you like the quality of Märklin, why don't you go for Z scale? Pete |
Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.
Z Scale is great - where's me glasses? |
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 Joined: 23/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,828 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Really! Some people have no sense of proportion! Yes, have a close look at Z scale. M* are repatriating their Z scale production and there are some other encouraging developments in the scale. It seems to be really taking off in North America - who knows, one day Model Railroad Craftsman might even feature a Z scale layout |
Gary
Z Scale
"Never let the prototype get in the way of a good layout" |
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 Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,778 Location: New Zealand
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The only thing that puts me off about Z scale is the lack of digitisation, due to locos being too small to install a decoder.
N Gauge does give you that option.
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 Joined: 09/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 431 Location: Stockton, CA
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One of the reasons I got into Maerklin HO was that there wasn't much difference in the price between my then-current N scale trains and what was being offered in HO. I figured if I was going to spend the money, I might as well be able to see what I was playing with.  (Of course, I still have all of my N trains and hope to one day build a small display layout... but then again, I also have a lot of pre-war Lionel begging for a permanent layout as well  ) Overall, I always found the Fleischmann N to be well worth the money and Arnold and MiniTrix offerings were top-notch as well. Plus, as pointed out already, you can enjoy the digital experience with the newer ones -- something not possible (yet) with MiniClub Z.
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Joined: 23/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,828 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz The only thing that puts me off about Z scale is the lack of digitisation, due to locos being too small to install a decoder.
N Gauge does give you that option. If you're into the US scene decoders are readily available for Z scale. If the German-speaking scene is for you, have a look at this supplier: http://www.velmo.de/index.htmlMind you, the prices range from 59 to 99 Euros each, so you'd have to have a bulging wallet  |
Gary
Z Scale
"Never let the prototype get in the way of a good layout" |
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Joined: 09/02/2008(UTC) Posts: 972 Location: North Wiltshire
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Originally Posted by: ozzman Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz The only thing that puts me off about Z scale is the lack of digitisation, due to locos being too small to install a decoder.
N Gauge does give you that option. If you're into the US scene decoders are readily available for Z scale. If the German-speaking scene is for you, have a look at this supplier: http://www.velmo.de/index.htmlMind you, the prices range from 59 to 99 Euros each, so you'd have to have a bulging wallet I agree with the limits for digitisation with Z scale, in fact if I had more room I'd probably upscale, as the cost between HO and Z is comparable. Sadly, SWMBO thinks I've got too much room already  Also, decoders for steam locomotives are nigh on impossible because of the extremely limited space inside - e-loks and diesels are generally OK, though. Having said all that, you could still digitise the layout switches and turnouts, though, and programme 'routes'. Pete |
Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.
Z Scale is great - where's me glasses? |
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,290
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Originally Posted by: blackrock Hi Folks,
I am thinking about making a small n scale layout. Any input on the quality on Minitrix vs. Fleischmann models??
How would you rate their track?
I have had LGB and Marklin HO layouts set up around the house since before xmas. I am starting to get the eyeball from my family. My kids and wife want the dinningroom and playroom back.
sean Minitrix has coreless motor with brasswheel in theirs locomotivs and with sounds too! I suppose they are better than Fleischmann. |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 07/01/2012(UTC)
Posts: 10
Location: Cohasset Massachusetts
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Thank you all very much for your help. I really appreciate it.
Z scale it is!
As I understand that Marklin is bringing Z Scale back in house, are there z scale locomotives that should be avoided?
I am interested in Marklin steam loco 88041, and electric loco 88081.
Are they good choices?
sean
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Joined: 09/02/2008(UTC) Posts: 972 Location: North Wiltshire
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Originally Posted by: blackrock Thank you all very much for your help. I really appreciate it.
Z scale it is!
As I understand that Marklin is bringing Z Scale back in house, are there z scale locomotives that should be avoided?
I am interested in Marklin steam loco 88041, and electric loco 88081.
Are they good choices?
sean Good choice, Sean - but I am biased I have the 88041 and I think it runs really well. I use it with ,y consist of 8630n hopper cars. I have no experience of the 88081, though. It seems you prefer Era III, which does give quite a lot of choice of steam locomotives but also electric and diesel. The only thing you need to be aware of is Z scale production isn't in the same quantities as HO. You only need t look at the different thickness of catalogues to see that. I'd prefer HO, but I have space imitations, like you. Although, if you lived in the UK (or me in the US) we could trade   Now we're all looking forward to your track plan - no pressure  Pete |
Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.
Z Scale is great - where's me glasses? |
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Joined: 23/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,828 Location: Sydney, Australia
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I'd prefer a bigger scale myself, but living in an apartment imposes severe limits.
I've got an 88081, and three of the 88080s, and I can say that they are magnificent little machines. As you've probably worked out they're meant to be passenger locos. Any era 2 or 3 coaches would be appropriate. |
Gary
Z Scale
"Never let the prototype get in the way of a good layout" |
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,290
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Originally Posted by: blackrock Hi Folks,
I am thinking about making a small n scale layout. Any input on the quality on Minitrix vs. Fleischmann models??
How would you rate their track?
I have had LGB and Marklin HO layouts set up around the house since before xmas. I am starting to get the eyeball from my family. My kids and wife want the dinningroom and playroom back.
sean Hi there! Try with minitrix because they have soundlocomotivs too! |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 15/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 625
Location: Nuremberg, Bavaria
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Originally Posted by: Goofy Hi there!
Try with minitrix because they have soundlocomotivs too!
N gauge does not have this AC/DC problem, or this large variety of different couplers like H0. There's only one 2-rail DC system, and there are also standart couplers. So, a combination of Minitrix, Fleischmann and other N guage won't be any problem. Regards, Florian |
H0 3-rail AC with DCC, MM and mfx, 2-rail DC streetcars, and N gauge |
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Joined: 24/12/2009(UTC)
Posts: 178
Location: uk
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hello from an N gauge modeller. i model the german scene in n gauge and most of my rolling stock is fleischmann with some minitrix.
the fleischmann has the edge on the detail but running qualities minitrix are as good and in some cases better than fleischmann!
i wouldnt hesitate to run either brand and between both you get a great coverage of rolling stock.
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 Joined: 25/09/2010(UTC) Posts: 417 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
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If you are happy with the Minitrix tracks, go ahead.
However if you want track to be more robust and eaiser to lay for carpet or tisch bahns, much like C-Track, have a look at Kato Unitrack. At the shows, we show off the MiniTrix on Kato unitrack. It is easy to set up and it runs well. |
Harald
CS2 DB & Canadian Era 3-6 |
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 Joined: 10/10/2012(UTC) Posts: 95 Location: Linköping, Sweden
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Fleischmann is more expensive and upscale than minitrix. I don't think Minitrix even exists nowadays. (?)
Fleischman models are a little bit more detailed, but reliability is even on both brands.
Fleischmann has had greater succes in N scale than in H0 scale where competetion is on higher level.
Fleischmann has manufactured a couple of swedish locos and passenger waggons. The Rc and the classic Da.
Minitrix has never made swedish rolling stock. The closest related loco may be the danish NOHAB My, a swedish made loco, which nowadays also is seen on our railways.
For the record: Märklin did have some plans do introduce their N-scale in the late 60's, but they changed their mind and came up with the z scale instead. I have both N & Z. N-scale is much cheaper to buy second hand, but still I prefer Z scale.
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Joined: 09/04/2006(UTC)
Posts: 1,278
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
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No problems with Minitrix blackrock. 
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,465
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: Z-nerd I don't think Minitrix even exists nowadays. (?) Oh, they do exist. http://www.trixtrains.com/And they already announced new items for 2013, including the 2013 club model 18 612 with sound and various light effects. |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
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Joined: 24/12/2009(UTC)
Posts: 178
Location: uk
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Originally Posted by: Z-nerd Fleischmann is more expensive and upscale than minitrix. I don't think Minitrix even exists nowadays. (?)
Minitrix very much does exist!!!! They have a full catalogue of products Where on earth do you get this information? Please check your information before posting such a bad statement!
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