Fair Warning!!!!! This is going to be a rant so please feel free to not read it or delete it if you so desire.
I have been asking if any Z scale module groups were planning to display their modules at the NTS in Grand Rapids, Michigan this year. I have received information that David George (Mister Dave) will have the only Z scale layout there. I love Mr. Dave's layout and enjoy seeing it every time I can. Mr. Dave has represented Z scale very well at every NTS I've been to. You should take any opportunity you find to see this layout if you haven't yet. I have been building
Z scale layouts and trains since 1972 when Marklin introduced the scale here in the United States. I used to display a 3-module Z scale layout at some of the local G.A.T.S.(now GTE) shows in the early 90's. I stopped and dismantled my layout due to lack of interest from other people and loss of the vehicle I used to transport the modules.
Having said that, here is my problem. There are 20 Z scale module and interest groups listed in Ztrack Magazine, the MidweZt HaulerZ being one of them. Of the 20, I know that one is just one person who has brought his modules to 1 show with us and joins us when he can at other local area shows and one other group which is listed as being in Germany. Of the remaining 18 there are: 5 on the west coast, 1 in Utah, 2 in Wisconsin who won't talk to each other, 1 in Ohio which is pretty much inactive, the MidweZt HaulerZ here in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, 5 on the east coast and 3 in Texas. It seems to me that the groups on both coasts can't or won't come over their respective mountain ranges to do any shows (Denver is still way up in the mountains). The module groups had a very good showing in St. Louis in 2001 where I volunteered to help since I was unaware that any module groups even existed until I read in Ztrack that they were looking for volunteers at the show. There was a phenomenal showing in Cincinatti in 2005 when it was accompanied by the Z scale convention in Columbus. I was sadly disappointed 2? years ago when the NMRA celebrated it's 75th anniversary in Milwaukee. This should have been the one place and time all Z scale model enthusiasts should have come together with the largest possible layout. Instead there were the 2 module groups from there with their own little spaces, since they won't talk to each other. Neither group thought to invite other module owners to join them for that show...at least I didn't see anything. The MidweZt HaulerZ have done numerous shows in: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri. Ellen and I even took our modules to Florida to set them up for John Mui and Uncle Will in Florida. I'm REALLY upset that nobody from Michigan or either of the groups in Wisconsin could find the time to try to organize a layout in Grand Rapids this year. Randy Smidt has always said that he would help
as much as he could if someone wanted to organize a layout at the NTS and didn't know where to start. I don't believe that the MidweZt HaulerZ should have the sole responsibility of bringing Z scale to all of the states between the mountains, the Great Lakes and Texas, although, it looks like we've done pretty well so far. I realize that the people I know of in Michigan don't have any modules but one of them could have taken the initiave to find out what needs to be done to start something and started the ball rolling. I would have been able to bring all 3 of my modules to join the group...if there were one. I might have even undertaken the task of organizing a layout in Grand Rapids myself this year if I had known much earlier and if I weren't unemployed and living on what's left of my savings.
It doesn't surprise me that major manufacturers don't want to take the chance of making Z scale versions of the models they do in other scales. I applaud the manufacturers who have taken the chance on Z scale and I buy what I can when I can to help support their efforts. Maybe we could get a better response if the NZSC were the weekend before or the weekend after the NTS and near the NTS location.
That should be the end of my rant. Thanks to those of you who read it all.
This should not be taken as a personal assault on any one person or group.I just wanted to vent my frustration.
Thanks again,
Thom Welsch
