My First Z-Bend Module

[ednadolski]

This has been a bit of a 'stealth mode' project up until this point, but is now far along enough to have something worth looking at.   It is my first Z-Bend track module, which I have been working on over the last few weeks, and my goal is to have it ready to take to the next Rails in the Rockies show this coming September in Estes Park.  The module is a 48" long 45-degree curve section, with a double-track main line running down either side.   The frame/base was very generously given to me by Gary H. of the Colorado Z modular group, whom I had the pleasure of meeting this past April at the Denver show.   He had built the module base (with legs), but had no plans to finish it, so I've it up from that point, with the idea of doing some Tehachapi-inspired scenery.   Gary had also graciously given me the interfacing track and wiring components which conform to the Z-bend standard. This turned out to be a great, fast-path way for me to get started in Z scale.

Here are a few quick, in-progress pics.   The scenery shell and basic rockwork are in place, and currently I am the process of installing the fascia, track, and wiring.

Original module:



Carved foam board and and curved front added  (pickup truck is N scale, so it's too large):






Current scenery shell, with rockwork:








I'm also trying to decide whether to do the scenery using ground foam or static grass -- I am thinking the latter may end up looking a little oversized for Z scale, even tho it is the 1mm stuff.   Here are a few pics to show the differences.

Ground foam:









Static grass (1mm example):








Thanks for looking!

Ed

[PiperguyUMD]

Looks awesome! My vote is for static grass!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ooh man, static grass vs ground foam: a topic I think about way more than I should.

I don't have a definitive answer, but can say that the way to get to one is to look at photos side by side and go with what looks closest.

[Rivet Miscounter]

I think both look great, just depends on what terrain you're modeling.   The ground foam version reminds of the rougher brushy landscape that I witnessed in areas around Cajon Pass, while the static grass looks more like....grass!  The prairie grass that also works itself in almost everywhere it seems. (again depending on where you are)

[ednadolski]

My module made its debut today at the Estes Park show.  Still lots of scenery work to be done, but the trains were running, pretty much all day without trouble:







Thanks for looking,
Ed