Just found out about this group and have joined, and here's why:

I picked up a little Marklin set #8165 at a local yard sale.





Now, I did dabble in Marklin HO back in the early 1990s, but was not impressed enough to pursue it further. I guess that, after being used to can motors and DC current, the AC powered "pancake" motors and all the associated gear that comes with it seemed a bit too "primitive", kinda like the Lionel stuff I had when I was young. No offense intended! :)

In any case, this was too good a deal to pass up, and I had been curious about Z ever since Marklin introduced it so many years ago. After a gentle cleaning and light lubing, I must say I am very impressed with how well this little thing runs. Sure, it is a bit on the fast side, but using a Rokuhan controller, it ain't bad. I've had some 6-wheeled N scale switchers that didn't run this well.

I'm thinking a nice little coffee table layout might be a worthwhile addition to my living room...

Mark in Oregon

Edited by user 04 August 2017 00:49:24(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum

Brgds Lasse

8895 is a 2-6-0 (LINK)

Your set contains an 0-6-0 and that unit is usually 8800/8805 part number.

Usually, locos that have sat for a long time will freeze up. If you keep them clean and lubricated (lightly) they will run great. :D

Thanks David, for the nice welcome.

In my initial post, I mentioned something about "a nice little coffee table layout". Well...






I cobbled this together over the weekend. I got my hands on a bunch of Micro Trains track, and just kind of threw this together.

At the lowest "reasonable" speed, it takes 1 minute 18 seconds to make an entire loop around the track.

Just kind of "kicking it around" to get an idea of what I might do...suggestions? comments?

Mark in Oregon

David, et al.

That looks like a very solid design for a layout. Please keep us posted as to your progress.

When I was into N scale, I used Kato "Unitrack", which the Micro Trains track reminds me of.

It (Unitrack) was very reliable, easy to "play with" and conducted electricity very well. I really liked the fact that Unitrack eliminated any track issues. If I was experiencing issues with a given engine, I knew the problem was with the loco, not the track. I'm hoping that the MT track will prove as useful.

I know it probably cannot look as good as "real" track with added roadbed and ballast, but the fact that it has rail joiners and roadbed connectors makes for a very substantial foundation on which to run trains.

Mark in Oregon