Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14 
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Post by Bob L on Jan 23, 2024 18:04:39 GMT -5
At 77, I’ve never been a “train guy”, but a few months ago was fascinated by Z scale because of its size. With no theme in mind, or no train experience, I decided to put a layout together. I was pleased as heck with the result after a couple of months of creating it…then changed it a bit, the more changes again, but still no theme, road numbers or type or cars not a concern….I just wanted to build something. But I thought My newbie layout was crying out for a diesel rather than the 2 Marklin steamers that I had. The steamers “made it happen”, but I felt an AZL GP38-2 was needed because it would make more sense. I am so impressed with the performance of the loco… I can slow it down to a virtual “creep”, even pulling a dozen cars! Anyway, all Marklin track, but aside from the railroad cars, and JTT trees and shrubs, everything else was 3D printed, and airbrushed. The foam base came from two 24” square foam pieces from Lowe’s, cut down to 36”x18”. Wood frame around the foam to firm it up. Rob was very helpful with my very basic, newbie questions, and today I ordered a GP30. As much as I would like a SD40, a six axle loco would probably not be happy due to the radius’ of the track. ( if someone has one that they don’t need and is in a gift giving mode, I would certainly try to see if fits on the layout) LOL! For the lake background, I went to my trout fishing lake (Round Valley in New Jersey) took6 shots, printed and glued the panorama together on a cardboard box, cut to size, and used magnets to attach to the wood frame….(makes it easier to handle if i move the layout between rooms). Anyway….. here’s the “final final”  ?? Maybe, who knows, ….. from what I understand, a layout is never finished!! |
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Post by rvn2001 on Jan 23, 2024 19:00:02 GMT -5
That turned out really nice for your first layout! Welcome to Z scale.
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Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by Bob L on Jan 24, 2024 0:02:00 GMT -5
Thank you very much! Very much appreciated. If I only knew what I was doing!!! There’s certainly a lot to learn.
This was a few days before I decided to commit to some AZL locos and an eventual AZL caboose…..so this has a passenger platform that I removed and added another small siding in its place for the final final layout…….. (yeah right)…..does it ever end???
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Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by Bob L on Jan 24, 2024 12:58:06 GMT -5
Like I said, every freight train needs a caboose, so I added this a few days ago….. I guess the Final final final layout is never final!  |
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Post by cwrr on Jan 24, 2024 19:55:36 GMT -5
There's no right or wrong way, just do what makes you happy and run your trains the way you want! Keep up the fine work, and post some more!  |
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Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by Bob L on Jan 24, 2024 21:55:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement… I’m enjoying and learning, and trying not to get too complicated.
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einot
Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by einot on Jan 25, 2024 6:07:42 GMT -5
Great job with the layout! I run six axles on the radius 2 of Märklin track. Are you using the smallest radius?
-Eino
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Post by zman on Jan 25, 2024 7:51:04 GMT -5
Looks great! I use Marklin track and as long as I keep it clean the AZL locomotives run great. I use 4 axle only. Have not tried 6 axle yet. Attachments:
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Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by Bob L on Jan 25, 2024 12:19:25 GMT -5
Great job with the layout! I run six axles on the radius 2 of Märklin track. Are you using the smallest radius? -Eino Eino, Thank you for your positive comment! I haven’t researched what Marklin’s radius numbers (1,2,3, whatever) are…so I don’t know the answer to your question. having measured the diameters of the inner loops on both ends, The smallest radius’ are about 175mm,… and showing and checking with more knowledgeable people (like Rob k) it’s more than likely too tight for six axle loco’s. My total newbie knowledge wasn’t even thinking about radius’ or other things that I have learned since. I simply bought some “lightly used” straights and curves to make a bigger oval for the 8165 Mini-Club set. After a week or so, decided I needed more than an oval on a blank table top, and that led to a couple of used turnouts, which led to more…etc etc, and the rest is history!! Considering my eyes, age and income, I can’t take the chance of buying an SD40-2 to see if it’ll work. |
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Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by Bob L on Jan 25, 2024 12:33:19 GMT -5
Looks great! I use Marklin track and as long as I keep it clean the AZL locomotives run great. I use 4 axle only. Have not tried 6 axle yet. Zman, appreciate the comment. Your layout looks terrific. I don’t have problems keeping the track clean. I put metal wheels on all the MTL cars so all the wheels and track seem to run cleaner. Also I use the alcohol pads for cleaning glasses on the track. Fold the pads 2 or three times and that works great! Q-tips and alcohol on the turnouts. |
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Post by oldgrog on Jan 26, 2024 5:26:21 GMT -5
See the recent exchange of messages in the SD40-2 etc thread under AZL product announcements.
This confirms that the centre drive axle on each bogie (truck) is flangeless, so the locomotives will go round 195mm radius curves.
Do, as long as your track is not tighter than 195mm, you can have an SD 40-2 on your layout.
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einot
Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by einot on Jan 26, 2024 6:21:54 GMT -5
Yes the SD40-2 indeed does not have flanges on the middle wheels. Runs perfect on 195mm curves. Most likely will run on 145mm too. Also I do run SD70 with flanged middle wheels just perfect on the 195mm curves. No problems at all. Just perfect! Here's a table for the Märklin curves: | Diameter | Radius | Full circle with 45 degree parts | Full circle with 30 degree parts | | 290 mm | 145 mm | 8 x 8510 |
| | 390 mm | 195 mm | 8 x 8520 | 12 x 8521 | | 440 mm | 220 mm | 8 x 8530 | 12 x 8531 |
-Eino |
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Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by Bob L on Jan 26, 2024 15:39:55 GMT -5
See the recent exchange of messages in the SD40-2 etc thread under AZL product announcements. This confirms that the centre drive axle on each bogie (truck) is flangeless, so the locomotives will go round 195mm radius curves. Do, as long as your track is not tighter than 195mm, you can have an SD 40-2 on your layout. Oldgrog, Thanks for that, but with my “diameter” of about 350mm, it’s just to tight. |
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Bob L
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by Bob L on Jan 26, 2024 15:59:58 GMT -5
Yes the SD40-2 indeed does not have flanges on the middle wheels. Runs perfect on 195mm curves. Most likely will run on 145mm too. Also I do run SD70 with flanged middle wheels just perfect on the 195mm curves. No problems at all. Just perfect! Here's a table for the Märklin curves: | Diameter | Radius | Full circle with 45 degree parts | Full circle with 30 degree parts | | 290 mm | 145 mm | 8 x 8510 |
| | 390 mm | 195 mm | 8 x 8520 | 12 x 8521 | | 440 mm | 220 mm | 8 x 8530 | 12 x 8531 |
-Eino Thanks for the table and sizes. Based on your table my radius would have been 145mm! If it was almost 195mm, it might be worth a try …. But at 170-175mm is’s too risky. Fortunately this is just a new hobby and not a life or death decision, want or need. But today, my new GP30 arrived….. (see my new post)! Santa Fe GP30 added to my 36”x18” layout |
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einot
Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by einot on Jan 31, 2024 5:34:57 GMT -5
Too bad I don't have any 8510 curved pieces so I could test this for you. Maybe I buy some used if good price comes along and let you know how it went!
-Eino
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