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Post by martin on Feb 10, 2018 6:11:11 GMT -5
Hello I'm Martin, from Scotland, and about to venture into Z scale (I've built in 00 and N before) and I'm looking for some advice. I have been planning a coffee table layout and inspired by a recent trip to Canada I have opted for that as my theme. I have designed a 3 loop layout using Anyrail software, and the overall size is around 38" x 22" - the layout plan is attached. I have Marklin track and picked up some rolling stock while in Canada, including 2 F-7A diesels. However before starting to build it I set up the basic track and on some corners one of the locos stutters so I'm worrying that my curves are too tight for that type - any thoughts? Martin Z Scale Track.pdf (215.22 KB)
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Post by dave on Feb 10, 2018 8:59:30 GMT -5
Good morning Martin,
First of all, welcome to Z-scale and the Forum here. I looked at your track plan and some of those curves look very tight. I realize that right now you have Marklin locos and rolling stock with the Marklin couplers and those are very forgiving when it comes to tight curves. If you decide to venture out into AZL and/or Micro-Trains stuff with knuckle couplers, they simply are not going to stay coupled on these tight curves. AZL recommends a minimum radius of 195mm for curves and that equates to a 15.75" diameter curve. Since your table is only 22" deep, you might do well to get two loops on there with that minimum radius. If the software allows you to use a minimum radius curve, try the 195mm and see what you come up with.
Lastly, ask lots of questions. There are lots of friendly people here that would be happy to help you out.
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Post by markm on Feb 10, 2018 9:32:44 GMT -5
Martin, Welcome to Z and welcome to the forum. I've looked at the design and overall it's reasonable. The 8510 curves will present problems for rolling stock longer than a prototype 50 feet. Also you have a 8510 "S" curve on the inner-most loop on the lower left: not a good idea in general, and particularly with tight radius track. You didn't mention the manufacturer of your F-7s and their vintage. Both Märklin and MTL units should handle the curves down to 145mm. Märklin produced product for a while using a lubricant that hardens over time, a condition called HOS (hardened oil syndrome): www.ztrackmagazine.com/faq/ . If they are MTL units with Märklin couplers, those have not been manufactured in a number of years. In both cases the unit may need a good cleaning and lubrication. The oil I like to use is Labelle #108. Hope this helps, Mark
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Post by martin on Feb 10, 2018 9:58:03 GMT -5
Dave/Mark Thanks for the replies - the locos I have are both new Micro Trains F-7s and the rolling stock is mainly 40' or less (I was going for a 1950-ish era). I have come up with a similar layout but which works using 195mm curves - does this look more realistic? Martin New Z Plan.pdf (234.8 KB)
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Post by boxcarwilly on Feb 10, 2018 13:08:19 GMT -5
Greetings Martin.
I'm a Canadian from the prairies and I'm curious as to what part of Canada you are planning on modelling. Perhaps I can help with some ideas. What area of Scotland are you from?
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Post by martin on Feb 10, 2018 13:15:24 GMT -5
Greetings, I'm from Fife, near Edinburgh. I didn't have any particular part of Canada in mind, but I'm planning a simple three loops, all un-connected, with some timber buildings (ie which will hopefully look like a timber mill or something like that) and lots of trees! The locos and rolling stock I have are a mix of Canadian Pacific and Canadian National - I was in Vancouver in July last year and went to Central Hobbies and they steered me in the right direction.
Martin
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Post by neverland on Feb 10, 2018 13:47:28 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, Martin. Your Marklin & MTL locos & 40' rolling stock should do fine, especially if you stick to prototypical speeds. If you've been following recent topics, your MTL F7 will be a noisy little loco compared to Z Marklin & especially to your previous larger scales. Looking forward to seeing your progress reports.
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Post by martin on Feb 10, 2018 14:12:24 GMT -5
Thanks Neverland - The F7 wasn't too noisy when I ran it and it'll be inside a table so should't be a problem.
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Post by boxcarwilly on Feb 11, 2018 12:22:33 GMT -5
Greetings, I'm from Fife, near Edinburgh. I didn't have any particular part of Canada in mind, but I'm planning a simple three loops, all un-connected, with some timber buildings (ie which will hopefully look like a timber mill or something like that) and lots of trees! The locos and rolling stock I have are a mix of Canadian Pacific and Canadian National - I was in Vancouver in July last year and went to Central Hobbies and they steered me in the right direction. Martin Martin: If your visit here was confined to the Vancouver area, you'll be limited on what you can do. However, if you want to use your imagination, you can model just about anywhere in this great country. The prairies though can be pretty boring unless you are modelling grain and corn fields and grain elevators. However, since you are looking at a timber mill and lots of trees, might I suggest northern B.C. or northern Ontario. You could also consider anywhere in New Brunswick. All of which are pretty heavily timbered and have or had extensive logging. I could also suggest Vancouver Island around the Port Alberni region. It's heavily timbered and is extensively logged. It is quite mountainous as well so it would give you lots of variety. This area is no longer serviced by rail, but that doesn't mean to say you can't model the old railway that ran from Victoria to Port Alberni and beyond. As far as your CP and CN equipment, when you do your research on the area you choose, you'll need to know which rail line services that area and run the engines exclusively within it, either CP or CN. Of course, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to modelling. Pretty much anything goes. Central Hobbies is a great place to go, Excellent people and very helpful. I've been there. Will
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Post by dave on Feb 11, 2018 13:14:50 GMT -5
Martin,
What brand are your rolling stock? I am assuming Micro-Trains. In my earlier post, I suggested the curves might be pretty tight. You might experiment with the track layout and run the locos and rolling stock on the proposed curves to make sure they stay coupled consistently. Are you going to have any grades on your layout? Grades will amplify issues with tight curves. Just have fun and experiment a little.
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Post by martin on Feb 11, 2018 14:06:49 GMT -5
Will - I'm not worrying too much about matching a specific area or operator given how small an area I'm working with!
Dave - Yes they're MTL and I did do a trial run on my original layout - the new layout uses gentler curves so hopefully that should be OK. I don't have any grades - just three separate loops.
Martin
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Post by martin on Feb 13, 2018 5:29:54 GMT -5
So this is my current plan ..... Martin z layout.pdf (600.99 KB)
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Post by dave on Feb 13, 2018 7:31:51 GMT -5
Martin...I really like that plan. I have some questions, though.
1. Which of the three loops is the lowest elevation? 2. Something to keep in mind is being able to get the trains on the track. It looks like you have some straight track in the front for all three loops to do so. 3. Are you making provisions for derailments in the tunnel and being able to access the trains?
I will be really curious to see this evolve. Please take photos during the construction process.
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Post by martin on Feb 13, 2018 12:44:45 GMT -5
Dave
1. The red one (nearest the bottom) is the lowest. The green track is the highest.
2. Yes they all have some straight.
3. Yes I'm very much aware of that having run into problems with a previous layout!
Yes I plan to post photos - with the change in layout I've just got to order some extra/different track before I get going.
Martin
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Post by martin on Apr 1, 2018 9:34:34 GMT -5
Well I have all my track now so I've tweaked the layout very slightly and made a start – track laid on 2mm cork for the lower loop and ballasted. Track and cork in place loose for the middle loop, ready to be fixed. Scenery is coming along in parallel. Martin
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