Ztrains: Z Scale (1:220) Model Railroading Information

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Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday's Yard Sale

A busy weekend here at Ztrains.com... we held another small Yard Sale and we were able to pass along some very cool trains at some excellent prices. Nice when you come up with a good win-win situation. We have a few pieces left in our yard and we may actually be adding a few more pieces in the upcoming days! Stay tuned.

Busy too this weekend with some Z related web work. As many of you may know I'm the webhamster (yes, I know it's webmaster... but as I write this at 3:04am on Sunday night / Monday morning, webhamster makes me laugh) for Ztrack.com and ZtrackCenter.com. Just finished up rebuilding these two websites after the recent hard drive crash. If I don't have to look at anymore JavaScript for awhile... that'd be fine by me. Come on... you know it's true... webhamster is fun to say out loud.

Looking forward... we'll have a new installment of the Z Scale Basics series this week. We'll show you how to make some cool, matching talus for your rock molds. Rock faces are fine stuck in a hillside but it's when you add rock debris that the scene really gets cooking. Look for this new installment mid-week.

Webhamster... yep, still makes me laugh. I may need some sleep!

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February 28, 2010
New Z Scale Basics Article Installment: The Co-Op Shed Build

Get our your coffee grinders, your polyurethane and your Gorilla glue... we're getting dirty! This new installment of the Co-op shed build shows how we do basic scenery work here at Ztrains. Ok, maybe we do go a bit overboard but we like to make pieces that will last.

As you may have noticed we were down for a couple of weeks, not down as in sad or unhappy, down as in our main hard drive died on us (maybe just a little sad and unhappy) taking all our files with it and that put us behind just a bit. We're back now so keep posted on this new build!

Let's Go To The Co-Op Build

March 8, 2010
The Zthek SW-1 Build Instructions

For those interested in buying and building your own Zthek SW-1 switcher, here are the instructions in the PDF format.

I really do believe this SW-1 brass fret should be in all Z scale collections. Click To Open This Zthek PDF

March 8, 2010
Talus... Why You Need It

This week we'll be adding a new installment in the Z Scale Basics, Co-Op Shed Build.

We've got the basic shape down and have put into place our major rocks and soil cover... next it gets a little more exciting with talus. Co-Op Shed Build

Monday, March 8, 2010
A Look At The Zthek SW-1

This week's Coffee Break features some recently uncovered brass frets for building your own Zthek SW-1 locomotive. Not even appearing to be impartial... I am a big fan of the work of Zthek and thing these SW-1 brass frets are a steal at $35.00. Here's a short video showing this SW-1 in action on a Marklin 0-6-0 chassis that has been DCC'd. The video is a bit out of focus, but worth a watch.

Monday, March 8, 2010
Build Your Own Zthek SW-1 Switcher

Lost Brass Frets... Found Here!

Lajos Thek of Zthek has reported 2 etched brass sheets of his popular SW-1 switcher have been discovered at his etching company's warehouse.

This means that for as long as they last, there will be 28, SW-1 brass frets available for sale. These frets come without the small milled detail parts but at just $35 per brass fret this is a great chance to build your own SW-1.

Contact Lajos via email here: Lajos
You can also reach him through his website: www.zthek.com

Coffee Break Archives

Introduction To Z Scale (1:220)
Z scale, Z gauge: The smallest model trains offer up some very big possibilities.

What's Available In Z Scale?
Z scale North American (NA) locomotive roundup.

Beginner's Q&A
A few Z scale questions (and answers!) to help get you up and running.

Z-Bend Modular Layouts
A look at using the Z-Bend Track modular standard for your home layout.

The Ztrains Scratchbuilder Calculator
Here is a handy online calculator to help you with all your scratchbuilding projects.

Static Grass Application Tools
A look at two unique products from the Noch company of Germany designed to help you apply static grass.

Timber Trestle Diorama
Build a Z scale diorama to test out new techniques and materials. Foreward by MMR Gerry Leone.

Handcrafted Z Scale Layouts
Building small, high quality Z scale layouts.

Cove Layout Photos
Photos of an early 16" x 19" layout.

Making Waves With Envirotex
Art Fahie of Bar Mills Model offers advice.

Final Water Touches
The finishing touches with Gloss Gel Medium.

Dull Cote Alternative
Ever try an automotive adhesion promoter in place of Dull Cote? You may want to read this.

The Ztrains Grassinator
For right around $35 you can build your own static grass applicator... the Ztrains Grassinator.

Cleaning Your Motors And Brushes
Some basic Z scale locomotive cleaning techniques.

Track Cleaning Techniques
Tips for keeping your tracks clean.

Power Pickup Installation
Richmond Controls produces Z scale power pickup wipers.

Locomotive Wheel Cleaner
A simple and effective locomotive wheel cleaner for Z scale trains.

Soldering Feeder Wires
Solder your feeder wires directly to the rails for better contact.

Z Scale Turnouts
Turnout terminology illustrated.

Inside A Marklin 3 Pole Motor
Parts description of a Marklin 3 pole motor.

Z-Panzer Creates WWII In Z
In a good way. You need to see this work from Andy Hart of England.

Marklin GG1 Locomotive
An American locomotive icon in Z.

Micro-Trains, Micro-Track Sectional
An initial look at the new sectional track from Micro-Trains.

Micro-Trains, Micro-Track Turnouts
A sneak peek at the sectional track turnouts from Micro-Trains.

Caution: User Forums Ahead
Useful, informative, not too useful, not too informative... you decide.

Z Scale As Art
Can Z scale layouts be looked at as legitimate works of art?

Z Scale And Artistic License
Exactly how big should a Z scale brick be?

Interview With Rob Kluz Of Ztrack Magazine
As Ztrack magazine celebrates their 15th year of publication, editor Rob Kluz talks about the state of Z scale.

Considering Quiet Locomotives
Some thoughts on locomotive sound levels.

A Case For Small Z Scale Layouts
Small layouts stake their claim.

Z Scale In The Local News
Story from the El Dorado News-Times out of El Dorado, Arkansas.

2005 Z Scale Convention Car
See what goes into the design of a Micro-Trains special run box car.

Organize Your Workspace
Keeping your workspace organized and productive.

Designing A Marklin Car Set
Ztrains designs Ztrack magazine's 15th Anniversary 2 car set.

Choosing A Digital Camera For Z Scale
Why the Nikon Coolpix 800 was my choice.

Marklin Z, Now Made In China?
The President of Marklin talks about Marklin's production in China.

December 2008
Tom Mann, author of the book "Weathering", talks with us about specific techniques and tools for effective weathering in Z scale.

October 2008
Tim Warris of Fast Tracks, makers of fixtures for building your own Z scale turnouts and track talk about their new Z scale products.

June 2008
Joe Fugate is a renowned scenery professional, writer and producer of "How-To" DVDs on the building of a model railroad.

October 2007
Joe D'Amato, Micro-Train® Line Design Engineer, sat down with us to tell us what goes on in a day at Micro-Trains® Line.

April 2007
Dave Frary, noted Kalmbach author, talks about his beginnings in model railroading as well as his ideas about creating great scenery.

January 2007
Reynard Wellman of the Micron Art, makers of fine brass kits and accessories, is featured in our inaugural Z Scale Guest article

Autoracks Near Vero Beach, Florida
On a trip to Florida in October 2009, I came across some parked autoracks and snapped a few pics.

The PRR GG1: Black Jack's Origins
Join Ztrains as we visit the GG1 in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

Inside A Presidential Pullman
From the birth of N.O.R.A.D. to the funeral of FDR, this Arizona Pullman car has seen it all.