Hello everyone hope all is well.

A noteworthy reminder, Marklin Mini Club was released in 1972. This year marks the 50th year since the beginning of our hobby. We can likely expect to see some special items or events to recognize this significant time. Trainini has developed a special logo to mark this year. Take a look at it on their home page, you can even download it if you want.

It is truly amazing to think of all the different innovations and items which have been developed in support of this model railroading scalar. What was it which made you decide to make Mini Club your hobby?

I remember an article in Model Railroader magazine somewhere around 1986 or so, which showed a z scale train layout which was in the shape of a pedestal and the train would run from the mountain setting to a desert setting and an industrial area as it circled around. This article turned into an entire series of articles which documented the concept and making of this evolutionary z scale layout. This series was inspiring to me because so much detail and variety could be packed into such a small space. I liked the small scale because the z scale items were small and could be packed and moved easily and at the time this was an important consideration. It is interesting to note, sometimes you can find these magazines for sale on eBay if you are interested. The mid 80s was the time I started my hobby.

I was living in Goeppingen at the time so had access to the Marklin factory and museum and seeing the z scale train running around a huge modern layout was truly a sight to see. I think this was when the z scale steam locomotive was setting some kind of record for the longest continuous run, or something like that. The layout was modern because acrylics was all that was used. No houses or trees in the conventional sense, but it was still interesting as I had never seen model trains this small before, yet there it was going around and around. This was an early time for the museum and unfortunately there were no direct sales from the factory, unless you knew someone who worked there. Fortunately, a person I worked with did know someone and the first set purchased directly from the factory was the large #8158 set. Lots of track, switches and a BR74 locomotive with about five wagons. It was a great start. Still have that complete set.

It has been an interesting and exciting experience and I find z scale a calming and enjoyable hobby ever since.(especially now) Taking time to operate the trains is to me like taking a trip to Germany without leaving the house. Or going to another time period when a steam engine is on the track. Having this forum of like minded hobbyist only enhances the hobby and adding the internet has also made monthly publications like Trainini such a valuable and inspiring aid for all of us.

I went out on a limb here and spilled my guts in a sense and I could go on and on, but I won’t. It is your turn to share if you want. It is surprising how many z scale items can be accumulated over a number of decades of steady interest. Maybe you have that special item, perhaps few other have, or you took an interesting trip which by the way included a Z scale purchase. What is your story. Others may find your story interesting, but remember no brag, just facts.

Take good care. I look forward to anyones contribution.

Dwight

When very young I vaguely remember seeing a Z scale setup in a retail store during one of our infrequent family trips to Germany. Although my father was more interested in N scale, the uniqueness of the tiny Z setup had me thinking "I wonder if I can create a Z scale layout one day, too?". And so here I am 50+ years later trying to complete my first Z layout while I can still see the small details well enough.

I have a small z scale set set up on my desk. I received a Christmas set for Christmas 2015 and then when in München in summer 2016 I purchased a BR 41 from a Märklin store near the top of a München mall. I'll have to post some more photos but I've attached one from running both trains around Christmas this year. I'm interested to see some of your z scale stuff. Does anyone have any photos of the acrylic layout in Göppingen?

Wouldn't a fitting 50-year present be announcing going digital for the z-scale?

Happy 50 anniversary!

Hello everyone, thank you for your input.

First of all, I need to let you know, in my opinion the best way to commemorate 50 years of Z, is a special railbus, this time not the red ones. Perhaps one representing a small regional line with a different colored paint scheme and an appropriate side panel. I realize this will not happen since there have been new railbus releases seemingly year after year recently.

I know I am mixing Eras here but here is a shot of the East side of my layout. I am still learning about photo posting too, they seldom are presented the way I expect.





I agree, just seeing these small little trains for the first time, really grabs you. So small and still operational, it is almost hard to believe. Great detail and more powerful than ever. And just think how many other related businesses, suppliers and new innovations sprang from this concept in miniature.



I agree, if there is such an outstanding locomotive out front, I should be able to take one home too. In all scales. Especially in the packaging described, but please see my comments about the railbus above. I am just saying . . . Seriously, I think it should be logical that a BR44 be produced in all scales that Marklin has. Seems it would make a great heavyweight addition to their product line. Particularly in Z.



I believe this layout was used for a theme for one of their z scale catalogs about the mid to late 80s.

Yes, I think we will get a digital model soon as long as it also works in analog too. For we who lag behind.

Thank you all. Appreciate it.

Take good care.

Dwight

Hi.

You are right. I have a few packages with the 40 years of Mini Club logo. We should expect to see a similar marker.

A Br89 was one of the first locomotives released and was a major advertising tool for them. What about one in gold!?

Thanks

Dwight

Hello, thanks for your input. I also like that Cortina layout. It is so well planned and designed it is a perfect starting point. This past year, I also became a bit more focused on the collecting aspect and managed to pick up some items which are perhaps rare.

I can appreciate the intriguing aspects of model building. With the fantastic laser cut structures, now available, they are like putting a puzzle together, but keeping it permanently. They are such a challenge and the results are spectacular and really make a layout. It is just like building your own world with everything that you want. I too have accumulated a number of structures for a layout expansion, or perhaps I will put a few together because they are just plain fun to do.

I also have enjoyed learning the maintenance and repair aspect of our hobby too. This is one thing you seldom hear someone mention as something to actually enjoy. It can be a challenge or just a simple routine but it is what I would (perhaps wrongly) equate to old watch repair. This is another puzzle, which provides ultimate satisfaction or frustration and hopefully temporary failure. When you get an old locomotive, perhaps nearly 50 years old working again, it is so special. It confirms your knowledge and skill in disassembling something and putting it back together correctly. Seeing an old locomotive that someone gave up on working around a layout after your efforts is like taking a victory lap it is so exhilarating.

There are so many facets to our hobby, perhaps some taken for granted. Perhaps this is what makes it so darn enjoyable,

Take good care.

Dwight

Hello, great comments. I think it highlights some of the experiences we all have had with the hobby. I always thought HO was the way to go but quickly discovered how much space it takes up. I even bought the Tony Tiger train set off the back of my dry cereal box.

After seeing z scale, I knew it would work best, and fit right in. A steady collection of running gear and scenery ensued and as many of us have experienced, work got in the way a bit. I am glad I started when I did because there seems to be a steady price increase year after year. I remember being able to pick up an unboxed or wrong box wagon for less than $5 and shipping was about $4. Yes those days are long gone. Without work, I would not have have been able to make it. It is certainly a marathon and not a dash to the finish line. But actually, I don’t think we ever finish, but have an expansion or modification in mind and might carry it around with us waiting to act.

I think I have seen your Soller layout before and my opinion remains the same. Exceptional and I gotta love those trees. That railbus looks fantastic too. A 74 will climb if only it were as heavy as a 94. Don’t the kids really love it too. Maybe we are all just a bunch of big kids.

Take good care. Thanks

Dwight

I think your Z layout was the best of the show with its sweeping lines and movement. Yes the trees are magnificent and look worth the effort. The apartment buildings remind one of Soviet Eastern Bloc housing, is it set in the former DDR?
In the dim and distant past when I exhibited my Hornby Dublo shop window display type layout the public were always more interested in the movement and familiarity of the models than the super realistic station or yard only layouts with ‘the hand of the gods’ descending from above to fiddle with the couplings or keep prodding the locos to get them to move. This attitude has been repeated at other shows I have attended where layouts similar to my Hornby Dublo one were exhibited along with other types. Each to his own, though.
I remember the sheer amount of effort and hassle in getting a layout to a show and running it for the day and admire you for it.
I looked at the 2019 Epping video as well but didn’t see a Z there.
Well done
ChrisG

And did you know what Märklin came out with for the special item of the Z scale 50th anniversary?
A FREAKIN' CROCODILE IN SILVER!!!

I mean...we already have green, copper, gold, bronze, black...now silver, what's next? Pink? Rainbow? And it's a freakin' crocodile! A model that has frustrated many (or at least plunged the owner into love-hate relationship)...what a way to celebrate 50th anniversary 🤣😅

I get the feeling that Märklin is almost giving up on Z; most of the stuff is just a repaint of existing models. Maybe it's just a cash cow for them as they don't have to invest in new moulds. Well, it saves me money as there is nothing that I really want to buy, but I can't help feeling disappointed.

Carim

My feeling after doing this a few years is that Z is not a money maker for Marklin. They limit production to ensure they can sell what they produce and probably are just mandated to break even and justify keeping the line open. And so we should be happy they make Z at all. In their defense they have put out some really neat stuff since I’ve been doing this. But yeah, a crock that is purely a collectors item and not fit for a layout (silver?) is not what I was hoping for in a 50 year celebration.

It’s in my diary.
ChrisG

I’ll have to see what railcar set I got about two years ago. I was lucky to get it new from my dealer. It looks just like the 88168, interior lighting in both the motorized and non motor car. I believe it has a can motor and I know it has very fine detail, sure looks the same.

No Marklin Z scale fan should be without a rail bus!

Also check out the latest Marklin video in English 43 minutes of new stuff all scales, Episode 114? Can’t remember but link is under News From Marklin here in the forum.

Dank je wel, Parakiet, thanks very much HusafreaK!

Hello, hope all is well.

It says they may be downloaded here.

https://www.trainini.eu/magazine/downloads

I agree, it is a nice 50 years logo.

Take good care.

Dwight

I beleive that when Minitrix became a part of the Märklin family, they didn’t feel the need to push any further development of the Z scale. N scale is only 30% bigger, it can easily be digitalized and used together with other brands. If the demand was bigger for Z models they would have more to offer.

If you want digital sound in Z, visit https://velmo.de/html/english.html for conversion boards.

Carim

Hello everyone. Hope all is well.

The interest in digital has been growing and growing. Maybe in the 50th year of Z, it is the time when a leap to digital might be considered.

If I wanted to make such a move, how would it best be done and what would my shopping list include? Would this be best applied to an entirely new layout?

I have always considered the digital switch as a move which would be too expensive. I believe the programmer or controller might be costly.

Does Marklin make these items?

Thanks.

Take good care.

Dwight

Do the North American Z gauge companies do digital?
In the middle 1980s Märklin issued a catalogue listing digital Z locos and the same control equipment that digital H0 uses but the locos never hit the shops. Presumably they either couldn’t get it to work reliably or they didn’t think they could make any money out of it.
I’ve always been intrigued by the general statement on instruction leaflets about radio interference which changed to be USA specific, warning about FCC compliance.
I wonder if digitizing these Märklin locos could fall foul of the USA electro-magnetic regulations. Would any supplier care about that?
ChrisG

I am tempted to get that platinum croco.

Already have that V320 ordered and the V188 on its way...

I am in on the ERA III stuff, they got more than enough these last years :)
I heard a rumor about a V36 post train.. if that's true, I will have to provide extra funds :')

I would suggest that the following be considered if you are seriously considering attempting to digitize z scale items.

1. How well does the loco run? Digital will not fix a poor performing loco. The loco needs to be running well before starting down the digital route, so perform any maintenance before you start modifying a loco - this goes for any scale item, not just Z.

2. Is there room in the loco to fit a decoder? It may be that some milling of the frame will be required to get enough room, and will almost certainly be required if you are wanting to fit sound - but the problem there will be finding a small enough speaker. Check that fitting a decoder will not foul any screws fixing the body shell, or any other parts. Also remember that the loco may not have quite the same pulling power if you need to mill some of the frame away to fit the decoder. The weight of the decoder will not totally replace the weight of any metal milled away. You may want to fit extra weight where you can with lead sheet squeezed into every available nook and cranny to compensate.

3. Having satisfied 1) and checked out 2) then ESU offer suitable small decoders that are likely to fit - look at the ESU Lokpilot/Loksound 5 Nano range. Zimo may also have decoders that are small enough. There may also be other decoders that will fit that I am not aware of.

4. Having worked out what decoders are of a suitable size, do these decoders handle multiple protocols, or only DCC. Also what protocol do you want to use? I believe the ESU and Zimo ones will work with MM and may do mfx. If this is the case then a Marklin mobile station is likely to be sufficient for a good sized layout in Z. The ms2 will also do DCC if this is the only protocol the decoders will use. Otherwise if the decoders are DCC only then almost any DCC control unit should work. If there is an option I would check to see if the control unit can be set to limit the output voltage to that suitable for N gauge items.

5. If you are interested in using computer control then you will a different control unit to a mobile station. A Marklin central station would be a rather costly solution, I believe there would be more financially justifiable solutions in the DCC world that would allow you to achieve this.