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Post by zscalehobo on Aug 15, 2018 15:10:00 GMT -5
FYI: Rokuhan.de is registered to Noch (see the impressum) - Noch are the official EUROPEAN distributor for Rokuhan. Noch have added the Archistories line to round out their z scale offerings of Rokuhan track & BR181 loks with some matching structures.
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Post by neverland on Aug 21, 2018 7:50:18 GMT -5
Every scale has its appeal but many model railroaders have never seen Z. When I joined my train club (O & HO) they have a monthly contest featuring various categories— best caboose, switcher, diesel loco, etc. members vote on the best entry. Knowing my Z entries would be lost amid its larger counterparts, I began creating tiny vignettes for each. I’ve won 1st place every time! Z has an appeal based on its small but amazing details.
I have a friend who isn’t even into model trains, although he indulged me until he saw my layout. Now he likes to run my trains & admires all the small details one might just glance over in a larger scale.
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Post by boxcarwilly1 on Aug 21, 2018 11:13:46 GMT -5
Every scale has its appeal but many model railroaders have never seen Z. When I joined my train club (O & HO) they have a monthly contest featuring various categories— best caboose, switcher, diesel loco, etc. members vote on the best entry. Knowing my Z entries would be lost amid its larger counterparts, I began creating tiny vignettes for each. I’ve won 1st place every time! Z has an appeal based on its small but amazing details. I have a friend who isn’t even into model trains, although he indulged me until he saw my layout. Now he likes to run my trains & admires all the small details one might just glance over in a larger scale. Neverland: I am gratified to see that at least in the U.S. z scale is appreciated and recognized as a legitimate and viable railroading hobby. Here, unfortunately, it is a different story. As many times as I have displayed my layout at local train shows, and as many times as it has been admired, I have yet to come across anyone who is willing to invest the time and money in this scale which is very sad. True everyone is impressed by how much one can put into a small space and the details of engines, cars, and scenery, but they always leave with the same comments. "It's very impressive, but far too small for my eyes, and fingers, and so on." I find their arguments or comments invalid. I have Parkinson's but yet I am still able to work in Z scale. Z scale, I fear, will never reach it's full potential or be as popular here as it is in the States. I know of only three people in all of Canada who model in Z and two of us are right here in this city and a third is on the east coast. There were at one time 5 of us here, but 3 have gotten out of z scale. I can't help wondering what the future on Z scale will be in Canada. Once the 3 of us are gone, will others take up the hobby and continue it? Time will tell. At least I have the satisfaction of knowing that when I'm gone, my entire layout will find it's way to a railroading Museum. I guess that's the best I can hope for.
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Post by neverland on Aug 21, 2018 11:30:59 GMT -5
I don’t think Americans’ reaction to Z are much different. I’ve yet to find a convert. The comments re. challenges with the size are pretty universal in N.A. at least.
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Post by ciccino on Aug 21, 2018 12:26:11 GMT -5
Before the downfall of Marklin a few years ago, the Miniclub counted several thousands of members in Germany only. I was one of them, even though I live in Italy. I am not sure what the situation is now, but it is clear Z scale was sacrificed for survival. It almost disappeared from their catalogue. Delays are abismal and releases erratic, to say the least:-(
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Post by smr on Aug 21, 2018 12:53:24 GMT -5
Before the downfall of Marklin a few years ago, the Miniclub counted several thousands of members in Germany only. I was one of them, even though I live in Italy. I am not sure what the situation is now, but it is clear Z scale was sacrificed for survival. It almost disappeared from their catalogue. Delays are abismal and releases erratic, to say the least:-( This is still the case, Ciccino, about 10 - 15 K of them are more or less active. I know Märklin's Miniclub since 1978 - they always have been in love or hate with Z-scale. One year they have an own catalogue for Z-scale, the next year only 12 pages in a big 250 pages catalogues covering all scales! The delays you mention are typical for Märklin from day one, nothing special for the last years........ Thanks to Rokuhan and Noch the European market is growing steadily, Japanese models become more and more common and Rokuhan tracks are nearly the new standard. AZL/SZL would nicely fit in there and have prepared themselves well for a launch in Europe, the collaboration with Märklin was a smart move! Best, Sven
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Post by Commodore on Aug 21, 2018 21:34:09 GMT -5
Every scale has its appeal but many model railroaders have never seen Z. When I joined my train club (O & HO) they have a monthly contest featuring various categories— best caboose, switcher, diesel loco, etc. members vote on the best entry. Knowing my Z entries would be lost amid its larger counterparts, I began creating tiny vignettes for each. I’ve won 1st place every time! Z has an appeal based on its small but amazing details. I have a friend who isn’t even into model trains, although he indulged me until he saw my layout. Now he likes to run my trains & admires all the small details one might just glance over in a larger scale. Neverland: I am gratified to see that at least in the U.S. z scale is appreciated and recognized as a legitimate and viable railroading hobby. Here, unfortunately, it is a different story. As many times as I have displayed my layout at local train shows, and as many times as it has been admired, I have yet to come across anyone who is willing to invest the time and money in this scale which is very sad. True everyone is impressed by how much one can put into a small space and the details of engines, cars, and scenery, but they always leave with the same comments. "It's very impressive, but far too small for my eyes, and fingers, and so on." I find their arguments or comments invalid. I have Parkinson's but yet I am still able to work in Z scale. Z scale, I fear, will never reach it's full potential or be as popular here as it is in the States. I know of only three people in all of Canada who model in Z and two of us are right here in this city and a third is on the east coast. There were at one time 5 of us here, but 3 have gotten out of z scale. I can't help wondering what the future on Z scale will be in Canada. Once the 3 of us are gone, will others take up the hobby and continue it? Time will tell. At least I have the satisfaction of knowing that when I'm gone, my entire layout will find it's way to a railroading Museum. I guess that's the best I can hope for. I understand more US citizens are moving your way 😳
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Post by zscalehobo on Aug 22, 2018 18:08:12 GMT -5
but they always leave with the same comments. "It's very impressive, but far too small for my eyes, and fingers, and so on." Maybe these people were telling the truth: that they really cannot work on something so fine ... Z is challenging, there is no arguing that point. I suggest you focus on the positives and joy your layout brought to people instead of those comments that are simply truths about the commenters (THEIR physical limitations) and not criticisms of you personally or the fine model railroading scale you've chosen. I usually respond to those "too small - can't see it" comments: "Yes, sir, I have really good vision ... and so do hundreds of others who are picking up Z scale trains as their scale of choice!" or I even mention that I make use of an Optivisor when working on Z. Working with micro-manipulation tools is an art form and I love the challenge. Celebrate it to people instead of feeling bad about it. "Yes, it is too small, but that's what makes it GREAT!" - sounds like a great answer to those comments. The positive responses to the wonder of Z far outweigh the few negative or off-hand "too small" comments.
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Post by neverland on Aug 24, 2018 7:11:40 GMT -5
Good response, Frank. I don’t expect my older train club members to hope on the Z train. I’m just happy to see their positive responses to mine.
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Post by gerd on Aug 25, 2018 4:26:17 GMT -5
I’m only into model trains and Z because it’s a challenge. I’m not a play railroader, don’t have a layout, I love to build and design. If everything would be around and available I would be out. So I’m happy it’s a niche, that’s the appeal to me
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Post by neverland on Aug 25, 2018 6:18:56 GMT -5
I’m only into model trains and Z because it’s a challenge. I’m not a play railroader, don’t have a layout, I love to build and design. If everything would be around and available I would be out. So I’m happy it’s a niche, that’s the appeal to me Gerd, we Zers are thrilled to have you! Deb
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Post by pray59 on Aug 30, 2018 11:50:08 GMT -5
how many people get exactly the structures they want? I do! 3 more months till I get to move in my house and start my retirement layout.
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Post by charlie on Sept 6, 2018 14:08:23 GMT -5
I actually changed my vote, as I'm thinking of producing 3D models for myself, because I really miss some details and buildings (roundhouse, a large passenger train station, platform, some cars and trucks, animals...spare parts for locos). And why not, if it works fine, sharing them with other modelers? It would be first 3D printed small models, and if possible, plywood laser structures.
So, I may consider building a new line of Z scale products in the future!
Charlie
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Post by QcKraag on Sept 26, 2018 22:32:33 GMT -5
I started in z scale ever since when I was young, way back in the 80’s, at the ottawa museum of transportation, I saw my first marklin z scale loco. At that exact moment I decided that one day I would have one and 3 years ago, that is exctly what happened. Mind you it was an AZL but it also was a choice about what I would build. 3 years later, I am still at this scale, but have to admit, I am also designing an n scale layout now also. What I am missing in Z, I get from N, one layout over the other to help keep the foot print decent. Yes the costs double, and those long awaited atlas switches are finally just around the corner, just sad that they weren’t designed like n scale peco switches... with insulated frogs instead of having to switch polarities... but for the rest, I can live with it. Of course the z scale layout has to be modern, and if woodland scenic and other companies just shrank and reprinted kits to our scale, I am sure more people would join too, but I can feel the movement growing, and I am sure AZL and MTL can confirm an increase in sales over the last few years...
Just my 2 cents
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Post by domi on Sept 30, 2018 15:26:47 GMT -5
Yes the costs double, and those long awaited atlas switches are finally just around the corner, just sad that they weren’t designed like n scale peco switches... with insulated frogs instead of having to switch polarities... Myself I think the opposite : true prototypically looking electrofrog turnouts were critically missing in our scale, as the small and light models we run on our layouts definitly need the best electrical connection one may imagine. My current layout have 7 turnouts that are all electrofrog made by an british craftsman who shut down his business 10 years ago due to health reasons, Peter Wright. What a pleasure to watch my diesels creep on these at 2 scale mph without a glitch... That's why, in my opinion, the soon to be released Atlas turnouts are a blessing for our scale and will definitly allow a great step forward. Dom
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