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Post by oskarhernandez1991 on Feb 25, 2018 18:17:03 GMT -5
Hello everyone I an new to Z scale and want to know what would be recommended to get started..
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Post by fulingyu on Feb 25, 2018 20:58:28 GMT -5
Welcome Oskar, The easiest way is to purchase a starter set. AZL Direct sells them with locomotive, rolling stock, track, and a controller. Other companies also make them but AZL has everything you need in one box. And it all works together without worrying about connection issues and such. Go to AZL Direct and pick one of their starter sets. That will get you on the (rail)road. Then you can add more track and cars and go as far as you want to. If you have any other questions or need advice, this is the place to find it.
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Post by emaley on Feb 25, 2018 22:12:59 GMT -5
What he said. Any questions, ask here. Lots of people here with many years of experience. Zscale is tiny and likes clean track and wheels. Don't fret if you have issues, the peeps here will find a fix. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Trey
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Post by neverland on Feb 26, 2018 0:07:02 GMT -5
Welcome to Z, Oskar. What attracts you to Z and what do you envision in the way of a layout, era, etc. are you at a loss about where to start or do you already have some ideas? -- Deb
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Post by oskarhernandez1991 on Feb 26, 2018 6:49:49 GMT -5
Currently my idea is just to put together a small running layout with a yard. I have been doing HO scale a couplenof years back and more recently N scale. But I will be moving to a new place soon and figured it's time to try something new since space will be limited. I mostly enjoy doing switching and moving rolling stock to different industries on a layout. On lazy days I just watch trains continuously running. I do plan to make a good size layout. Currently got the floor space of 8 x 12 feet. I live in South Texas on the KCS line, the gateway KCS has into Mexico. So that is what I will be modeling as I do like to model what I see on a daily basis. In z scale there's is a good selection of items and not overwhelming Which is good for me. But thank you all for the help, keep it coming!
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Post by dave on Feb 26, 2018 7:11:40 GMT -5
Good morning Oskar,
You have a good amount of space to build a layout, especially in Z-scale. I would caution that you start with a smaller layout like 30" x 60" or so. It will still allow for nice wide curves but not be so big that it never gets finished. If you want to use track with roadbed attached, I would definitely use the Rokuhan track. They make versions with wood ties or concrete ties. In a 30" wide layout, you can use the 270mm curves. For power, I highly recommend the Rokuhan controllers. I especially like the RC-02. It is very compact and can either use batteries or there is an AC adapter available. For locomotives, AZL makes a KCD de Mexico in both the SD70ACe and the ES44AC and also a Ferromex SD70ACe.
As others have said, keep asking questions as there are a lot of nice folks here willing to help.
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Post by dazed on Feb 26, 2018 9:50:02 GMT -5
Good morning Oskar, You have a good amount of space to build a layout, especially in Z-scale. I would caution that you start with a smaller layout like 30" x 60" or so. It will still allow for nice wide curves but not be so big that it never gets finished. If you want to use track with roadbed attached, I would definitely use the Rokuhan track. They make versions with wood ties or concrete ties. In a 30" wide layout, you can use the 270mm curves. For power, I highly recommend the Rokuhan controllers. I especially like the RC-02. It is very compact and can either use batteries or there is an AC adapter available. For locomotives, AZL makes a KCD de Mexico in both the SD70ACe and the ES44AC and also a Ferromex SD70ACe. As others have said, keep asking questions as there are a lot of nice folks here willing to help. And don't forget the GP38-2's released recently. Beautiful locos. I echo the recommendation for Rokuhan track. I would buy some Rokuhan track (or the AZL starter set...and ask them to substitute the KCS GP38-2 loco as they have been known to do such things if you ask.) plus the GP38-2 and a handful of freight cars and see how things go. The Rokuhan controllers seem to get the nod also, or if you have a DCC system from your HO/N exploits then just pop in a decoder.
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Post by dave on Feb 26, 2018 10:03:09 GMT -5
AZL makes a nice KCS Bay Window Caboose that would look great with the GP38-2 that Doug mentioned. Attachments:
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Post by notanothercamera on Feb 26, 2018 13:24:22 GMT -5
Oskar:
Like yourself, I am new to Z and have modeled in N & HO. I picked up the Rokuhan set A for like $69.00. It comes with a 16" x 24" (approx. dims.), power pack and controller. I like CN & CP rails, so I also acquired a CP GP38-2 AZL loco. Adding a couple of CP freight cars set me back less than $250.00, all in.
I've since expanded by adding additional Rokuhan track, an MTL GP9 and eight additional cars. The AZL GP38-2 is a buy....runs like a top and easily pulls my consist of (10) mixed box, tank and flat cars. The Micro-Trains GP9 is likewise a good runner, albeit in Central Vermont livery.
All my cars, save the tankers, are Micro-Trains. Since your interest lies in switching, etc., I suggest you stick with Micro-Trains cars as the latest releases have magnetic couplers. You'll need them. Have fun!!
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Post by ztrack on Feb 26, 2018 17:55:59 GMT -5
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Post by dazed on Feb 26, 2018 22:39:31 GMT -5
And while not AZL, here's one of my favorite KCS cars, done by Micro-Trains a few months back... It's not quite as garish on the other side, and overall is a nice looking car. They're still available I think but don't wait around.
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Post by oskarhernandez1991 on Feb 27, 2018 21:30:29 GMT -5
Hopefully by the end of the week I can get started
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Post by neverland on Feb 28, 2018 7:09:13 GMT -5
Hopefully by the end of the week I can get started Keep us in the loop! You're in good company.
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Post by Commodore on Mar 2, 2018 20:13:17 GMT -5
Hopefully by the end of the week I can get started Keep us in the loop! You're in good company. Deb: Remember Jay Gould models in Z scale. ....not ALL of us are good.
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Post by Commodore on Mar 23, 2018 22:04:53 GMT -5
Hopefully by the end of the week I can get started How is the layout planning going? There is so much KCS rolling stock available, now.... I wouldn't know where to start.
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