Hi all,

I am presently working overseas on a long-term assignment. I had to leave my H0 models behind in Montreal, much to my regret. Sometimes the urge gets too compelling, and I am now hesitating between buying some N or Z models to build a small layout, given the limited space that I have available. Some initial questions pop in my head:
1) How is the general performance of Z locomotives, especially those equipped with the new enhanced motors?
2) Do Z trains usually derail on turnouts or curves? Which type of track should be avoided?
3) Do Z locomotives start moving or run in an "jerky" way, i.e., like the old analog Märklin models used to sometimes? How smooth is it to change the direction?
4) The Z Märklin couplers are indeed grotesquely oversized. Can these be replaced by others?
Thank you all for your comments.

Cheers,

Armando

The biggest difference is if it is a steam engine or diesel/electric with two or three axle trucks. Current pickup can be a problem with the steam engines. The performance of diesel and electric locos with 5 pole motors are superb!

Here is av video showing that you can run smooth and slow through some tunrouts without stalling: http://www.norskmjforum..../krypkjoring02_heine.wmv (the video is from my coffe table layout)



If the tracks are laid good, derailment and uncoupling never happens. (if you dont run the trains at 200 mp/h scale speed that is... )



No jerking if the tracks are clean. Z scale run on DC current, and to change direction you change the polarity of the tracks. No jerking direction relays in the locos.



Microtrains is a good alternativ for couplers.

Hope this helps!

Heine

If You don't want to have a permanent layout, the new track with roadbed from Microtrains is very good!

Thank you all for your interesting insights!

Heine: Great vido and website! When you mention that some types of steam locomotives tend to be "problematic", did you mean those with no movable axle trucks? I was actually considering buying steam locos, because these are made of metal! How would a Mikado behave, for example?
How about passenger coaches and freight cars? Do these tend to derail?

Salut Pierre ! I beleive those couplers from Micro Trains are only good for American Models, aren't they?
Cheers,

Armando

Thanks for the kind words.

Yes, the no movable axle trucks are the problem. Actually, the Mikado is the worst of them all i think. It has powerpickup on only two axles, so the wheels and tracks have to be 100% clean all the time. Even the litle three axle steam loco runs better...

I have never had any problems with derailing at all. And I run all kind of cars.

Turnouts in the Micro-track system is on it's way: http://www.zscalemonster...mt/track/micro-track.htm

By the way, http://www.zscalemonster.com is a great resource for whats available in American style Z scale!

Heine

I guess it also depends on what you want to model, and how much you want to spend. Those Z scale trains can get quite expensive.

If you want to model US prototype, I would suggest looking into Kato's US N-scale offerings (http://www.katousa.com). I recently bought a mini-starter set with an oval of track, a Santa Fe F3 A unit, and 4 cars. No transformer or anything. The kit is quite cheap (170-180 USD MSRP, there's a UP version as well), but it's great quality. The loco is actually quite heavy. The housing is plastic, but it's filled all the way with metal. It has a double flywheel drive which makes it a real smooth runner. One thing though, the driving gears are plastic as well, but it's good quality plastic.

That said though, Z-scale is really cool, the fact that all that stuff works in such small trains (they can even run on catenary ;)) is amazing =)

Hej Heine:

How do you think a locomotive like the newest Prussian G12 would behave on a Z layout? Do you think that that wheel arrangement could still cause problems over turnouts? Should curved turnouts be avoided at all times with Märklin Mini Club?

Thanks and regards,

Armando

I concur. Z scale trains in general run very well. Clean track is a must. I recommend highly the Gaugemaster electronic track cleaners. The Gaugemasters really assist in operations and are very easy to instal on a layout.

Derailments are not an issue. I only see this due to poor track work or the cat. As for track to avoid, the double slip switch from Marklin has a reputation for poor performance. I did not included one in my layout for just that reason. The curved turnouts from Marklin are okay for smaller locomotives. Larger locos from companies like American Z Line do not perform well on these type of switches. As stated, Micro-Trains offers much nicer couplers. With a little work, you can switch out the Marklin ones.

As shown, Micro-Trains is releasing pre-ballasted track. It is quite nice, though the variety of sections is limited. MTL will be releasing more track including turnouts in the next few months.

Rob Kluz

Very interesting site indeed and most valuable insights.
Thank you Heine and Rob!

Armando

Armando:

I really like the new Micro-Trains track, although, as has been stated, the availability of switches and wider-radius curves is still something being anxiously awaited (I believe the first switches in the line are supposed to be released next month).

I have no real problems with Marklin locomotives--steam, diesel, and electric--although I must admit that the GP-35 diesels offered my Micro-Trains are the smoothest and most quiet running locomotives I've yet come across in Z scale. Really very nice models in every respect.

I imagine that the availability of Micro-Trains products could pose something of a problem, depending on where you are overseas, but certainly if Marklin items are readily available in your location you should have no reluctance to go with them.

And there's certainly nothing wrong with Marklin's Z scale track, which I had been using pretty much since the line was introduced many years ago, and continued to use up until the time Micro-Trains released their basic track components. I'm now awaiting the release of those switches because I'm going to need more than a few of them.

All of my currently operating Z layouts are of te very small size: A Noch preformed layout, a Noch birefcase layout (jusy recently purchased), and another small "freelanced" layout that I built for the Micro-Trains track. Once those switches become available, I'm planning to build a much larger Z layout, complete with a lot of scenery (which is my favorite aspect of the hobby).

Be sure to keep us posted regarding your plans for a Z scale pike!

Happy railroading!