Hello everyone, hope all is well.

I want to let you know that www. trainz.com has acquired a collection of Z train items from a large collector. The collection was large enough to get awarded a Guinness world recognition as the largest back in 2016.

https://www.guinnessworl...llection-of-model-trains

I imagine that record was quickly erased but none-the-less you might want to review their listings to see if they have something you need. Reviewing their offerings, I notice there are many rare and hard to find items, some cheap, some not so much.

Www.trainz.com. I noticed if the item was a part of the record collection this fact is mentioned in the description for what it is worth. I have purchased from TrainZ and they are a reliable source. Choose shop by scale to,see only Z Scale offers.

I hope you find something interesting.

Take good care.

Zme

Does www.trainz.com deliver internationally ?

I can only find Canada and USA as delivery options.

Hello everyone. Hope all is well.

An update to this post.

I was able to obtain a number of items from this source. For the most part I was able to get some rather unique items. Several Wiebe items including the BR 218, a few wagons etc. I also picked up a BR 61 (88610)which I haven’t seen for sale before. This seems to be a wheel format of a BR 78 with a streamlining kit on it. It is a tank loco with the extra weight of a large metal shell.

Well all was going well until I decided needed a BR 54 (88054). It was listed on their website in condition C7. This locomotive is the longest locomotive and tender ever made for Z Scale. It is a mallet. This is a rare locomotive one which I have never seen for sale. When I received it, it was truly impressive. If you look up the description of C7 grade it says there might be lite scratches apparent with no damaged or missing parts. When I got it I could not find any scratches. Just like you, I always closely examine these purchases and when I removed the shell I noticed a big blob of oil. No big deal I mopped it up. As I was cleaning I discovered one of the linkage connecting rails was missing on both sides. Three fastening pins were missing and a fourth was missing the head. It looked like the linkage setup was disassembled to perform quartering instead of doing this with everything together. The head of the fastening pins was missing because the rest of the pin was still stuck inside the red wheel insert.

What a nightmare. Someone had really messed up this rare locomotive. Further examination also revealed the wheel scrapers were bent. Three serious problems were three to many.

With parts I am certain I could repair this locomotive but just getting parts would be a challenge. If I was going to keep this locomotive I would have to get a price reduction and they won’t even give me a counter offer. All they did was read the sign in the service department which reads “We can fix it”. (I jest) I ended up sending this back for a refund. What a sad situation. I hate to see these rare items damaged or broken. They cannot be easily replaced or repaired.

What would you have done. There goes my early Christmas gift.

Take good care, be careful with your purchases this holiday season. A good return policy can help you out if you happen not to choose wisely. Even good seller list items which are not as they describe. It is a chance we all take with used items. Believe me it happens to us all at one time or another. This is my “I told you so” moment. Thank you.

Zme

Hello hope all is well.

Yes I agree with you. I don’t know when I have seen a box full of z locomotives. Spare parts are always handy to have. The problem I can see is many of them might be abused and not usable. It must be a nice problem sorting them to see what can be salvaged.

I believe in some cases the linkage pins can be difficult to remove. The linkage parts are thin and can be bent easily. I really don’t understand someone taking these off to quarter the wheels. If you get it apart it will be much easier to do, but like everything in Z nothing is easy. I was thinking these may come apart easier if dipped in warm or hot water for a time. Just dry them after.

I will watch for another of these locomotives but I think it will be unlikely I will come across another anytime soon. That is okay because I have discovered, sooner or later it will turn up. Hopefully I will see an accurate description and act on it.

I have the 88290 and broke that down completely, I feel like I have experience with these mallets. I think many are overwhelmed and are glad to pass these on to avoid the repair process. Maybe my luck will turn around. These really pull many wagons. I like this and see them as worth it. If you have a mallet, Z Weekly discussed performing repairs a while back

On MOBA price guide, the 88054 was listed as a rare item with high value. I paid up for this one, or at least it felt that way. When you have one in your hand and then find out it is abused, you get sick, and it is not easy to return it. I was struggling with keeping it or sending it back for a few days. When no counter offer was on the table, I had to send it back. The company was nice because I had no mail cost. That is a good thing.

I have not considered AZL but will take a look.

Thanks, take good care.

Zme

Hello. Hope all is well.

I can fully understand the hesitation. Most would feel the same. The anxiety level sure rises just thinking about what lies ahead and the minute the shell is removed.

Here is a link to the Z Weekly article, perhaps it might be of some comfort to someone considering this work. This and the parts diagram will do you.

https://ztrainsweekly.co...allet-locos-88290-88294/

Would be a shame not to add one of these strong locomotives to your collection just because someone says it is non-operational. I think I had something like 14 two wheel wagons pulled up my hilly layout. With eight drive wheels working for you, it is amazing. I bet this will be a coreless candidate at some point.

Take good care.

Zme

Hello, hope all is well.

Win a few, lose a few. Frequently, eBay listings indicate the photo of the item is from stock photos. I know I see this on TrainZ too. Often it is difficult to spot any flaws from the photos anyway. Here is the grading standards often mentioned in the write up:

https://www.tcatrains.or...n-and-grading-standards/

I would often wonder how a standard was decided. The often mentioned fact is that the shell is slightly scratched seems of little consequence. Missing or damaged parts is another matter.

When I had to return my locomotive, they sent me a shipping label and the item was picked up at my door. That is good service and I didn’t expect it. In a few days I had a full refund, but a somewhat sinking feeling lingered having lost a real rare item. It was like the time. I received one of those museum wagons and when it arrived the plastic box was all broken, as was the wagon which was cracked in more than a few places. The seller gave me a full refund too. That was a Ebay purchase.

Take good care, happy holidays!

Zme

Hello

The old adage is:

“There is nothing easy with Z”

Seems to be proven daily.

You took a risk and I am glad it worked out for you. Self repairs made it worthwhile. Many just want to move something on because there is to much mystery involved with our scale. This sometimes works to our benefit.

You are right we persevere despite the obstacles.

Take good care

Zme