Z Scale suitcase layout

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A

andgott

Member
Due to a recent surgery, I've had some down time, and wanted a project to keep me busy for a while. I had a Marklin Z scale train set in the closet waiting for me- Something I've had around for a few years but never had much time to mess with, so I decided now was the time. I haven't done much model railroad work since I was a kid, But I am not new to modeling, and I am an artist, so a lot of the 'skills' carry over nicely.

This layout is about 18" x 24", and is designed to fit in a samsonite hard sided suitcase... I have the basic layout done, track laid, and "Mountain" built-

0313Layout_zps7113a792.jpg


The buildings are all scratch built- and none are done yet. I'm working on them as I go, whenever I have time to while things are drying on the layout. Due to the limited space on the layout, and the limited availability of Z scale buildings, just about everything will be scratch built. Besides, it's a LOT more fun!

This is a tug that I am scratch building- It's a little, 24 foot (scale) Harbor work tug-

0313Tug_zps40b8cfd6.jpg


And, A closeup of the gas station when almost complete and prior to any paint-

0313GAS_zpsfaf4e3c0.jpg


I've started making LOTS of trees, and other scenery elements as well.

Of course, I couldn't do it without my assistant- She LOVES to help :)

0313Charlotte_zpsa1207b69.jpg


-Andrew
 
Welcome Aboard Andrew, looks like a nice start the layout. I hope you will keep us updated as you complete it. I see by the last photo someone else is enjoying it also :D

Cheers
Willis
 


Thanks... I like working small- It's a challenge! I do think that if I were to start over, I'd probably just do "N" scale, since there is SO much more available and the price is MUCH better... Also, working that much bigger is a lot easier. But- Since I had the train already, I might as well use it!

I did the 'test fit' to make sure that it fits in the suitcase... I measured several times-

0313Suitcase1_zps1be3704a.jpg


and, it FITS! It even closes-

0313Suitcase2_zps39ade4bf.jpg


This is designed to be a portable layout, so I'm paying extra attention to keep things light but strong, so they can take a little abuse. Of course, there is no way I'd try to check this with my baggage... Though I'd bet that might make going through TSA interesting!

I got a few other little things done today- I made a few trees-

0313Trees_zpsc3212ba0.jpg


Paint is started on the gas station, I've still got some touchup work to do. Once it's painted, I'll put in the windows and detail the inside-

0313Station_zpsad65477f.jpg


And, I'm ALMOST done with the 1962 Shasta camper-

0313Shasta_zpsbe6b32d9.jpg


I did the final 'mudding' today, once that dries it's time to start landscaping.

-Andrew
 
I have always wanted a Z scale layout in a coffee table. I will be eagerly watching your progress.
 
The first Z-scale layout I ever saw was at the NMRA National Train Show in Eugene, Or. It was built into an attache case.
 
Those buildings and models would be impressive in any scale. When you factor in how small they are my mind is blown!!!

Great job.

Steve
 
Thanks!

A productive day... The weather was GREAT here, so I could work outside on the deck. That is one HUGE advantage of working this small- I can take it all outside when there is messy/smelly work to do! I got started painting the layout and detailing the rocks on the mountain-

0314Layout_zps2a838636.jpg


It's at the 'ugly' stage now. The rocks aren't done, but I'm getting there. I still need a couple of color washes before they are done.

0314RockClose_zps3abce8d5.jpg


I know people work differently when it comes to doing rocks. I like to lay down a base coat that's one of the mid tones that I am going to use, then go into the low areas with darker washes, then do the highlights with a dry brush.

I got the interior of the gas station detailed. I still have some touch up paint to do, and then signage. I've built pumps, signs, and some other 'stuff' for the station-

0314Station_zps03106232.jpg


And, I painted the Shasta camper, and 'installed' windows-

0314Shasta_zpsdb1c3a44.jpg


I haven't been happy with the vehicles that I can find commercially available for Z scale, and when I do find one I don't like the price! So I tried my hand at making one. It's decent for a first try... It's a 1984 Ford Bronco.

0314Bronco_zpsdff32874.jpg


I've got several dozen trees done, but LOTS more to go...

-Andrew
 
By the way... that sure is a cutey pie for an assistant ya got there! ;)

I have a little tyrant that "helps" me. Looks to be about the same age.

P.S. as I typed this the tyrant climbed up in my lap and poured grape Koolade down my leg :p
 


Impressed with the detail you are building in to this small scale. Love the Shasta trailer. Really surprised to see an interior in that gas station. Very impressed that you were able to scratch build a Bronco in that small scale.
Theres a vendor on E-bay with a few American Z scale vehicles like mid 50's Buick and Chevy and T-bird, 65 Vette, and 65 Mustang, and 49 Ford pickup. Perhaps this 59 Cadillac convertible would make a good tow vehicle for the 62 Shasta. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Z-SCALE-TUR...014172?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4ad198875c
or perhaps a 64 Impala convertible http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-220-Z-SCA...364164?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5afcdc79c4


This 1950 Chevy pickup is the best looking Z scale vehicle I've seen. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Z-Scale-195...103898?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item27d37ff8da
 
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For vehicles, Z scale is a bit unfamiliar to me. I understand it to be 1:220 scale. There are architectural model suppliers that make vehicles and figures in various small scales.
Howard Models makes sets of late 90's- early 2000's Dodges in various scales for architectural models. I think the closest to Z scale is 1:240 scale (1/20" = 1'). Is that close enough to use for Z scale? The next size smaller they list is 1:360 scale and the next size larger is 1:192 scale.
The vehicles include a Dodge Ram pickup, a Dodge Dakota club cab pickup, Dodge Durango SUV, Dodge Caravan minivan, and Dodge Intrepid, Stratus, and Neon sedans. They don't list them by make and model, but the casting looks crisp enough to be unmistakable. At $2 each or $26 for an assortment of fifteen, they might be worth a look. You would still need to paint them.

http://www.howardmodels.com/supplies/onlineorderform.htm
 
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Hey Jim, isn't the gas station the OP built in this thread the same as the one in your avatar?
 
NScaler said:
Hey Jim, isn't the gas station the OP built in this thread the same as the one in your avatar?
Click to expand...

There is a good chance of that- I based my design on the plan available from scalemodelplans.com. I modified it so it's only one bay, and shortened the width of the building as well to fit the available area...
 
Thanks for the links, too- That '50s chevy IS a nice looking one! Still, at $15, It would cost a LOT to fill a parking lot with 'em. Though it would look good pulling the Shasta :)

The 1:240 models are probably close enough... I'll have to look in to that! Might be a much less expensive option.

I am going to scratch build a few more vehicles for sure- I did the Bronco because its the easiest on that I have to replicate. I also have a 1966 Ford f-100, I plan to make a model of that as well. I also restore and collect vintage boats- So I plan to add models of those on the layout as well. I've got a 1960 Glasspar Citation, a 1959 Lake N Sea, a 1960 Volksboat, and a 1966 Glasspar G-3... Should keep me busy for a while!

But, no time to work today... We're off to Atlanta to go to the model train show at the Cobb Arena- Should be fun!


-Andrew
 
andgott said:
I am going to scratch build a few more vehicles for sure- I did the Bronco because its the easiest on that I have to replicate. I also have a 1966 Ford f-100, I plan to make a model of that as well. I also restore and collect vintage boats- So I plan to add models of those on the layout as well. I've got a 1960 Glasspar Citation, a 1959 Lake N Sea, a 1960 Volksboat, and a 1966 Glasspar G-3... Should keep me busy for a while!


-Andrew
Click to expand...

That will be quite a project. Good luck with that. Perhaps its time to find models of your intended subjects in larger scales and experiment with Hydroshrink to make molds that would create smaller replicas. N-scale vehicles would probably be the easiest to make shrunken copies down to Z, but you could probably do the same with 1/87 or 1/64.

http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/CastingMaterials/HydroShrink.htm

http://www.sculpt.com/

I've never been into boating myself, but I was real tempted a couple weeks ago when someone posted a link to a Craigslist ad on a Mopar forum. There was a 1973 Chrysler Charger outboard motorboat that had been won by its original owner and stored in a garage all its life. It had never been in the water. And the Craigslist seller in Michigan was only asking $3000. If it had been closer to Virginia, I would have even considered installing a trailer hitch on my 68 Dodge Charger to tow it.
 
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I love the Shasta trailer. Wouldn't mind having a vintage camping trailer myself. Heres a link to a couple of photo albums from our local Saturday evening cruise ins at Manassas, Virginia. In one album, you'll see pics of a 60's Shasta camper that showed up. It doesn't have the "wings" on the back though.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.185111388202586.43330.100001111775214&type=1&l=03b375401e
In the other album you'll see another Shasta that showed up on a different Saturday, towed by a 57 Chevy. This one has the Shasta's trademark "wings" on the back. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.366761730037550.78286.100001111775214&type=1&l=3ffc7dcf54
 
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