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Post by nikdog on Mar 18, 2024 18:45:42 GMT -5
So after 7 years of amassing a Märklin H0 collection, I moved into a smaller living space and don't really have the room to set up a layout anymore. Outside of under the tree at Jultid (Yuletide). I may look into a 120cm(4')x240cm(8') ceiling drop table on pulleys, but I digress.
My H0 collection is also entirely European, if that wasn't obvious by brand. I caught a Southern Pacific nostalgia bug a while back, and wanted to get back into modeling American as well. I had looked at Z Gauge as option to do so back in December. Especially since Z ends up being H0f (HOn2) and I could run American locomotives next to my H0 collection like they're a park train ride. At that time I ultimately decided based on price and availability I might as well get American in HO and possibly convert them to dual 2 rail and 3 rail operation.
At one of my train club's meetings a member demo'd a Z Gauge layout that was donated to him. I was amazed by how much fit on a single 60cm(2')x120cm(4') piece of plywood. Given my current space constraint it sold me on the idea of getting into Z Gauge.
I was thinking of getting Märklin track, since I know that local dealer and they seem to be the only place near me selling anything Z Gauge anyways. I wouldn't mind a Märklin starter set, but for the price and to only get an oval with a European train, I've been looking at used lots. Missed a couple of good opportunities on feePay. If American Z Gauge starter sets were more of a thing, I'd just do that and buy more track. I'm starting to think I might need to wait for a train show to happen and look there.
Anyone know a good place to get a decent sized track set new or used? Märklin or not. Are there any issues, geometry or otherwise, with running AZL trains on Märklin track? Atlas, Märklin, MTL, and Rokuhan are the only track brands I'm aware of. Obviously MTL and Rokuhan have integrated plastic ballast, while Atlas and Märklin don't. Is there any cross compatibility among them? I assume MTL and Rokuhan are too different in design, but Atlas and Märklin look like they might join right up.
On a different note, how frequently does AZL re-release models? There are certainly some things I want that are available, with others being sold out or non existent.
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Post by Guba on Mar 18, 2024 18:56:27 GMT -5
I run my AZL trains on Marklin track and find no issues. I'm in the process of converting to Atlas track, only because the tie spacing is more to USA standards. I just wish Atlas would release new track types faster than what they currently offer.
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Post by bapakbob on Mar 19, 2024 2:28:55 GMT -5
This is the best starter package in Z, worldwide. But darn those east coast AZL mother ship guys; they don't get that if you've been dreamin 'bout the west coast (cue OneRepublic music), you need a similarly priced SP starter set. But Frank at Z scale hobo (on the west coast) has the perfect solution for that. First up the starter set ztrackcenter.com/ztrack/AZLUPGP7-1second, that SP engine for cheap: www.zscalehobo.com/azl/azl_62501.htmlDon't start down the marklin Z rabbit hole. Rokuhan is inventing the new products for Z track, Z train and Z automation ever hour of the day TODAY; you don't need to lay 52-year old fragile but exponentially expensive German track, now made in Hungary, if you are starting out as a Znewbie. Shucks, the only new American Locomotives Marklin has made in the past 8 years have come them ordering the locomotives from AZL, made with harpoon couplers and (i'll admit) a really nice maintenance booklet and selling them with Marklin model numbers! As a marklin HO guy you might question why marklin went with ballasted track years ago for HO, but not for their Z devotees. And why Marklin HO has one of the most sophisticated DCC offerings in HO; but nary even a decoder for their Z locs! Question that, figger the answer that marklin still sees z as a niche market, then move on to the makers of modern Z: AZL and Rokuhan. And hey, that starter set above has a Rokuhan track and power pack as well as AZL loc and cars, full warranty on all, for $209!!!! |
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Post by oldgrog on Mar 19, 2024 5:44:44 GMT -5
Testicle elevation ! - see next message.
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Post by oldgrog on Mar 19, 2024 5:49:04 GMT -5
You CAN mix ballasted with other track. Rokuhan part A-014 is the conversion joiner. I use Rokuhan, Maerklin and Atlas tracks.
Availability of Z items depends which side of the Atlantic you are. ( If, like me, you are in UK, model supplies are few and far between, and at very high prices. You will have to import, biting the customs duty bullet. )
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Post by rvn2001 on Mar 19, 2024 5:49:12 GMT -5
I run locos and equipment from all manufacturers on track from all manufacturers without any problem. The Z-Bend Track modules that the MidweZt HaulerZ group (module group I belong to) sets up at train shows does the same. Any variation in track can be overcome with a little effort.
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Post by ednadolski on Mar 19, 2024 9:17:34 GMT -5
I run locos and equipment from all manufacturers on track from all manufacturers without any problem. The Z-Bend Track modules that the MidweZt HaulerZ group (module group I belong to) sets up at train shows does the same. Just curious (and not trying to drift), but would you know if that includes any code 40 (hand built) track?
TIA, Ed
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Post by nikdog on Mar 19, 2024 10:53:37 GMT -5
This is the best starter package in Z, worldwide. But darn those east coast AZL mother ship guys; they don't get that if you've been dreamin 'bout the west coast (cue OneRepublic music), you need a similarly priced SP starter set. But Frank at Z scale hobo (on the west coast) has the perfect solution for that. First up the starter set ztrackcenter.com/ztrack/AZLUPGP7-1second, that SP engine for cheap: www.zscalehobo.com/azl/azl_62501.htmlDon't start down the marklin Z rabbit hole. Rokuhan is inventing the new products for Z track, Z train and Z automation ever hour of the day TODAY; you don't need to lay 52-year old fragile but exponentially expensive German track, now made in Hungary, if you are starting out as a Znewbie. Shucks, the only new American Locomotives Marklin has made in the past 8 years have come them ordering the locomotives from AZL, made with harpoon couplers and (i'll admit) a really nice maintenance booklet and selling them with Marklin model numbers! You know, I saw those in-house sets, but I didn't pay much attention to them since the SP one was a premium one. I should have paid closer attention to the other ones. 😅 Märklin definitely only does American these days for their small niche high-roller German customers that model every thing. Their new H0 UP stuff is really kool and feature rich, but definitely targeting a small group of high end collectors. Especially when you can get nearly the same thing from Athearn for 1/5 the cost. Also shout out to Hungry, the Mexico of European manufacturing. At least Hungry is still CBA(practically Union) labour. As a marklin HO guy you might question why marklin went with ballasted track years ago for HO, but not for their Z devotees. And why Marklin HO has one of the most sophisticated DCC offerings in HO; but nary even a decoder for their Z locs! Question that, figger the answer that marklin still sees z as a niche market, then move on to the makers of modern Z: AZL and Rokuhan. And hey, that starter set above has a Rokuhan track and power pack as well as AZL loc and cars, full warranty on all, for $209!!!! I have a feeling the lack of Märklin Digital Z comes from them still dealing with the LGB acquisition. They finally just recently got rid of all their LGB DCC controller back stock, and are now finally pushing Central Station for LGB and started using LGB mfx+ decoders in nearly all their loks. When LGB becomes 100% digital, hopefully they'll look to start Digital Z. Although, I haven't a clue how popular their Z product line is. Regardless I'll probably pick up a couple German Z locomotives to do H0f at Jultid. There are definitely some Park Railroads in Germany that mix US and European prototypes. Anyways, to make a long response long, thank you for your answer. This will probably be the direction I head. |
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Post by nikdog on Mar 19, 2024 11:18:34 GMT -5
You CAN mix ballasted with other track. Rokuhan part A-014 is the conversion joiner. I use Rokuhan, Maerklin and Atlas tracks. Availability of Z items depends which side of the Atlantic you are. ( If, like me, you are in UK, model supplies are few and far between, and at very high prices. You will have to import, biting the customs duty bullet. ) Sweet. Good to know. I'm on the US West Coast in California. Seems like the majority of US model train dealers are in the Midwest. The San Francisco Bay Area really downsized post pandemic. We went from 3 local Märklin dealers to 1. (And I think they maybe the sole dealer in the state now) The closest American model train dealer to me has had issues with racism and general rudeness to customers in recent years. Which sucks since they were the place to go when I was a kid. I also don't think they carry any Z Gauge products. But I haven't been there in 7 years, so I may go see if they've improved. The other American dealers also just don't seem to carry Z. Feels like my best bet to get anything in person will be the next Model Train Show that rolls through town. |
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Post by rvn2001 on Mar 19, 2024 11:21:30 GMT -5
I wouldn't know about code 40 track since I don't have any.
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Post by oldgrog on Mar 19, 2024 13:24:25 GMT -5
If you go to AZL Direct and put “dealers” in the search box you will be directed to a list dated 10/2021 - up to date ?
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einot
Engineer
Posts: 104
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Post by einot on Mar 21, 2024 9:45:56 GMT -5
If you go to AZL Direct and put “dealers” in the search box you will be directed to a list dated 10/2021 - up to date ? The European dealer situation is quite sad. There is basically only on shop in Germany and they will not sell outside of Germany because of EU tax regulations... which infact are for the benefit of everyone, unless your online store software is crappy and won't handle it for you. So unless you're in Germany, you can't buy AZL online in Europe. This is not a big deal. You just got to bite the shipping + import taxes bullet and order from the US. BR, Eino |
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