Some input please

[Catt]

Hi guys,I am about to take the plunge into Z scale and need some info from someone abut more knowledgable on the subject

First off I'm buying the GP35 and several cars from 4 N scale but the track locally.I plan to use the MTL track but am unsure as to which curve set for my proposed 24"X48" layout.I want the largest radius I can get.

About the GP35,is the body one piece or several like the ATLAS/KATO/Lifelike N scale unit? Is there room to bodymount the couplers?

What about the power supply,I have one of the new KATO units,will this be OK?

Thanks for any and all help.

[DKS]

Welcome to Z! I hope you enjoy it.

The largest radius Micro-Trains curved roadbed track is 220mm, which is ~8.7 inches. You could use the 490mm turnout-matching curve track (~19.3 inch radius) for really broad curves, but at 13 degrees per section, you'll go broke making a full circle. (If it were me, I'd use some of the 490mm pieces at either end of a 220mm curve that was a few sections shy of 180 degrees; this would roughly simulate easements as well as flesh the curve out past the normal 17.5 inch diameter, given that you've got 24 inches of tabletop available.)

The GP35 shell is indeed assembled from several separate parts, as you might be able to gather from this test-shot of their forthcoming SD40-2:

http://www.micro-trains.com/cs-sd40.php

I cannot speak to the point of body-mounting the couplers, as I have no experience with the Micro-Trains Z Scale locos, although the new SD40-2 will come with body-mounted couplers.

As for a power supply, most Z scale locos are recommended for 8 VDC max. While you could get by with an N scale power supply as long as you never opened the throttle up all the way, it does pose the risk of accidental damage. Some manufacturers offer Z scale analog power supplies that use battery power, which is fine if you're only running one loco. An example is Zthek:

http://www.zthek.com/id64.htm

Hope this gets you off to a good start.

[Chris333]

I don't know if I can add much more than David. I know Robert Ray makes a body mount for the front of the GP35 that also adds a snowplow. And I have heard that the new SD40-2 pilot will fit into the GP35 and they are trying to make it available separate, but it may be a little while for that.

I hand laid my Z track, but the Micro Trains sectional roadbed track is very nice.

Although the Railwire is the best forum in the whole world!  For Z I think Trainboard is pretty good:
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/forumdisplay.php?f=171

My try at Z:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ZScale
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/772

[Catt]

David,I was on your site last night and came back here to see if I had any replys yet.Perfect timing sir and a great help to this rookie Z'er.

Chris,thanks for the reply you guys sure make Z look good.I agree that the Railwire is tops,and Trainboard is good stuff but unfortunately Charlie and I have agreed to disagree on a few things and I am banned from a membership there.

Once again thanks guys.I will keep y'all informed of any and all progress as the GVR tackles yet another scale  ;D

Does Robert Ray have a website?Anybody have a link?

[DKS]

Does Robert Ray have a website?Anybody have a link?

Yes, and yes. Robert also stops by at The Railwire once in a while.

http://raybob.boche.net/

[shamoo737]

If you have the room, go with the 220mm. It will allow you to run a AZL SD70, or some of their brass stuff.

I body mount the couplers on GP35s. You need to cut out the whole truck mounted coupler box, otherwise it interferes with the swing of the truck. Then I made the pilot using the outline of the front of the engine, and install thebody mounted coupler. This is what it looks like.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/83466/ppuser/3970

[Pray59]

I stop here too, it's just that the past several months I have not had much to say, since I have been busy cranking out kits instead of modeling. I have some parts to convert the GP35 to pilot mount couplers, but MTL is coming out with better ones pretty soon. Still, you can use mine until the MTL ones come out, then toss mine out later on.

The MTL track is good for convenience, a bit Katoesque for me, but David's or Chris's handlaid track look much better! It's not really that hard, especially if you are talking a 2'x4' Z Scale layout. You can do that on the kitchen table after laying down a towel to prevent scratches.

I am planning a bedroom size layout that will be handlaid code 40 mainlines, and possibly smaller sidings and branchlines. I just have to get rid of a bedroom full of my daughter's crap. Superelevation of the curves is easy using .020" styrene shim or equivalent, and really looks great!.

It's too hot today! Must be over 100!

[Catt]

Uh gee thanks Robert it's nice to know I can use yours ,but it would also be nice to know where I can get them.

By the way can somebody please translate into American English what the track radius is on the MTL track curve pieces.I want at least an 11"radius curve (maybe bigger if it can be done).

[Pray59]

Just PM me your address, and I'll mail some. I cut some extra's a couple years ago, and the past 4 weeks I have been cleaning the garage, so I came across everything.

-Robert

[Chris333]

Johnathan,

The 195mm curves are 7.68" radius, the 220mm curves are 8.66" radius. Maybe the flextrack would be better for you?

[DKS]

By the way can somebody please translate into American English what the track radius is on the MTL track curve pieces.I want at least an 11"radius curve (maybe bigger if it can be done).

Chris beat me to it on the flex track recommendation. At present, Micro-Trains has just the three curve sizes (the third being the turnout-matching size), and I rather doubt any more will be coming anytime soon. The only problem with using flex track is turnouts. You'd either have to use their roadbed turnouts and transition between flex and roadbed for every one of them, or use Marklin turnouts, which aren't very well loved, not to mention a real bear to ballast. Or... the third course is hand-laying them. At which point, the best option becomes Fast Tracks (jigs).

By the way, when in doubt, Google can do conversions for you. Just type your query like this in Google's search box:

220 mm = ? in

You'll get this:

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS264&q=220+mm+%3D+%3F+in&btnG=Google+Search