Hi
As a newcomer to Z scale I need a bit of help/advice. The line(old Rishworth Branch) I am building used to have a railmotor as its main passenger train. I have made one for my N gauge set up as a trial piece from a Langley kit but nothing is available for Z gauge. So I have to make one. For this I need either a donor steam engine that sort of resembles a small British tank engine and suitable carriage to cut about, remodel and paint or a couple of suitable donor chassis that I can re-engineer. Any suggestions?
I am sure some more problems will arise but just at the moment I am in the set out phase so all in control at the mo.
Thanks in advance
Simon

You might want to look at the Rokuhan Shorty Chassis. It's relatively inexpensive and easy to lengthen. You won't have the valve gear etc, but maybe you could make something that looks the part. As far as I can remember, there have never been any 0-4-0 locos from Marklin, so that's not an option as a starting point, I'm afraid.

Have you considered 3D printing the body shell? Of course the 3D modelling is a bit of a learning curve and the printing process and materials have their limitations but it had a few advantages over scratch-building. If you look at this thread Using other bodies you can see what can be done with a shorty chassis and 3D printed body shell.

Hope this helps


Chris