Keyboard Shortcuts
ctrl + shift + ? :
Show all keyboard shortcuts
ctrl + g :
Navigate to a group
ctrl + shift + f :
Find
ctrl + / :
Quick actions
esc to dismiss
Likes
- Z-Bend-Track
- Messages
Search
|
Re: Peco rail joiners
Ted LaMar
I saw some in stock at Toms Trackside Trains in Burlingame, CA about a week ago.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
T -----Original Message----- |
|
Re: Peco rail joiners
--- In Z-Bend_Track@..., Bill K. wrote:
. . . - Use Peco rail joiners, not Marklin or MTL, on the modules.Bill (or anyone), Please reveal a reliable source for Peco track and joiners. My local hobby shops are woefully inadequate and I can't find an Internet source with confirmed stock. Thanks, Gary |
|
Re: Peco rail joiners
Gary:
Please reveal a reliable source for Peco track and joiners.Try these Internet and phone-call suppliers: Walthers: Papa Ben's Train Place (known to be in stock) 2506 South Boulevard Houston, Texas 77098 (713) 523 - 5600 Fax: (713) 523 - 6606 e-mail : papabens@... www.discount-train.com (order by phone) www.manhattantrains.com (order by phone) < Scales=2> Does this help? Bill K. Houston |
|
Re: MTL track gauge
Glen Chenier
--- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "Gary Hoffman" <ghoffman@u...>
wrote: Bill K. writes:piece ofRule 4: Do NOT ever, ever assume that that brand new locos or a MTL F7'srolling stock came to you with the wheels in gauge. About 60% of too wide).arrive, brand new, with one or more axle out-of-gauge (almost always This used to be the case, more like 80%, but since February 05 Micro- Trains has been paying very close attention to wheel gauge and wheel machining for wobble-free profile. Since then, all new F7s I've seen have always been in perfect gauge. Kudos! But there are many older F7s around. Their track / wheel / coupler height gauge is a very useful tool. No Z scaler should be without one. |
|
Re: MTL track gauge
Michael:
I just got out my gauge and looked at MTL's website. The correct MTL # isActually, we are both correct...both the 988-00-033 Micrometer Coupler Height Gauge ($17.95) and 988-00-032? Z Height Gauge?($8.65) will check track and wheels. Beyond those common uses, they each have additional, and different uses. The -033 is wonderful (I agree) for cases where you plan to add MTL couplers to cars that don't have MTL coupler boxes and you need to establish the location above the rails for cutting a place in the car for the coupler box. But for folks just checking the gauge of wheels/track, coupler height or checking/laying track, the small size of the -032 Height Gauge is hard to beat. Look here for photos (scroll down the page a bit) (both photos enlarge if you click on them). Buy the one you need, according to your planned use. Regards, Bill K. Houston |
|
Re: MTL track gauge
Hi,
I just got out my gauge and looked at MTL's website. The correct MTL # is 988 00 033, Micrometer Coupler Height Gauge at $17.95. The package for mine says N scale # 1054, but on one side it's N and the other side is Z and the micrometer measures coupler, body, etc. height for both N and Z. It's a combo tool for N, Nn3, & Z. It also measures track gauge and wheel gauge and more. I just got mine this past year from Loren Snyder so the info hopefully hasn't changed. It's been a very usefull tool. Hope this helps. Michael Hilliard zbendtrack@... wrote: Gary: Where can I get such a track gauge? I can't find it on the MTL catalog.Look here for a photo of the N scale version: MTL doesn't appear to have a photo on-line of the Z scale version. The Z scale version looks identical to the N scale version, only smaller (obviously). It shows up on the Z scale price list: 988 00 032 Z & Nn3 Height Gauge $8.65 (old number 920) It is 5 tools in one. Track gauge. Wheel gauge. Coupler gauge/height. Etc. Any MTL dealer (brick/morter or mail-order) can help you get one. Hope this helps. Bill K. Houston SPONSORED LINKS G scale train Ho scale model train Model train n scale G scale model train Ho scale trains N scale trains --------------------------------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "Z-Bend_Track" on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Z-Bend_Track-unsubscribe@... Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. --------------------------------- |
|
Re: MTL track gauge
Loren Snyder
Gary,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I can certainly help you with your gauge. I'm assuming you are talking about the Z scale all in one gauge for measuring track width and wheel flange, etc. etc. Let me know and I'll see what I can do for you. ljsnyder@... Loren ----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Hoffman" <ghoffman@...> To: <Z-Bend_Track@...> Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 10:03 PM Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] MTL track gauge Where can I get such a track gauge? I can't find it on the MTL catalog. |
|
MTL track gauge
Where can I get such a track gauge? I can't find it on the MTL catalog.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
() I've got the 10 bucks but can't find a place to spend it... Gary Bill K. writes: Rule 4: Do NOT ever, ever assume that that brand new locos or a piece of About 20% of Marlin products are too narrow. A $10 MTL track gauge is the best $10 you will ever spend. If an axle is too |
|
Re: ZBT Cable shipments
Loren Snyder
Outstanding Bill!!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Thanks for getting them mailed. I'll slip a check in the mail when they arrive or you can let me know now and I'll send a check tomorrow. Hope you are feeling good!! I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year! All the best to you,] Loren 97504 ----- Original Message -----
From: <zbendtrack@...> To: <Z-Bend_Track@...> Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 5:22 PM Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] ZBT Cable shipments For those that ordered ZBT cables: |
|
Re: MTL track gauge
Gary:
Where can I get such a track gauge? I can't find it on the MTL catalog.Look here for a photo of the N scale version: MTL doesn't appear to have a photo on-line of the Z scale version. The Z scale version looks identical to the N scale version, only smaller (obviously). It shows up on the Z scale price list: 988 00 032 Z & Nn3 Height Gauge $8.65 (old number 920) It is 5 tools in one. Track gauge. Wheel gauge. Coupler gauge/height. Etc. Any MTL dealer (brick/morter or mail-order) can help you get one. Hope this helps. Bill K. Houston |
|
ZBT Cable shipments
For those that ordered ZBT cables:
ZIP USPS Tracking number 97504 0305 2200 0000 2518 0873 14217 0305 2200 0000 2518 0866 98625 0305 2200 0000 2518 0859 97229 0305 2200 0000 2518 0897 The USPS computer is usually 24 hours behind. The person who ordered only ZBT patches, they left by 1st class mail today. Please confirm arrival, off list, to zbendtrack@... Thanks, Bill K. Houston |
|
Z story - RE: Permanence of foam
randy smidt
Jeff,
Sounds like a good story. Let us hear it when you get a chance. Randy Smidt SJ-BAZ man <sj-baz-man@...> wrote: So one day a several months ago, I ran into a customer of mine an noticed and engine on his desk. I asked and what 1:5,000,000,000 models in Z? He did and I had more than a spark to get into it. |
|
Re: Uploaded Pictures of my new modules
Yes, I have the track on roadbed and not the foam directly.
--- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "Gary Hoffman" <ghoffman@u...> wrote: this good practice these days? I thought that stuff was only for scenery.wrote: ...TheBoth modules have been created with 1" foam on top of 1/8" board Theside boards provide the mechanical strength to protect the foam. scenery, or1x6" boards are cut down as required with the flow of the to 4" at the interface.... |
|
Re: Permanence of foam
SJ-BAZ man
"if one dwells on the past, one is in the past" my grandfather said. Move
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
along. If you don't build it, it won't get built. I had Marklin Flex for 15 years, having not quite the time either due to work shift, relocation, wife, kids and 60-80 weeks. So one day a several months ago, I ran into a customer of mine an noticed and engine on his desk. I asked and what 1:5,000,000,000 models in Z? He did and I had more than a spark to get into it. I've built several modules this year out of both 3/4 foam and 1/4 plywood (the 5 laminate kind). I've drained more than a grand so far. Uh, back to the story. Most of the modules were built with the original flex track, checked for gauge before I used it and bent to 12"-19" curves with the same flexibility that the new source had. Even notching the backs or curves proved as easy as the new source. This 15 yr old flex was stored in several Cali garages with 2 of them well exposed to the environments. They have run flawlessly at shows, better than the hand laid track of one (of course it got out in the hot sun for too long but so did mine). so go ahead, lay some track and enjoy watching everyone be amazed at how small and wonderful Z is. Jeff -----Original Message-----
From: Z-Bend_Track@... [mailto:Z-Bend_Track@...]On Behalf Of Gary Hoffman Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2005 8:54 PM To: Z-Bend_Track@... Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Permanence of foam Well, I had tuned out of this forum for a couple of months and now everyone seems to be building with new materials. I have my doubts about the permanence of foam as a base for a layout. I wonder how stable it is. Of course, modules aren't forever, but you don't want to re- engineer one ever couple of years unless you really want to redesign it. I did not take the advice from the movie The Graduate and never got into plastics, but I have experienced an interesting phenomenon with Marklin plastic that speaks to this subject. Back in the 70's (Gee, don't I sound like a geezer?), right after I received my first mini-club set while stationed in Germany, I got a Marklin track guide template, part 0208. I used it to plan a large 4-ft by 4-ft layout which I built and later dismantled. After languishing for a couple of years, I got the track guide back out and it seems to have shrunk and buckled up some. I bought the latest guide, the part 0212 and sure enough, the scales on these two guides are slightly different. Even the ruler edge is off by a bit. I don't know what kind of semi-hard plastic that guide is made of, but I was surprised to see this. I don't expect a module I build today to last 30 years, but if that foam you use to build a layout deforms over even a couple of years, your trackbed will move with it. (Just like the prototype San Andreas fault...) Just some thoughts. SPONSORED LINKS G scale train Ho scale model train Model train n scale G scale model train Ho scale trains N scale trains ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "Z-Bend_Track" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Z-Bend_Track-unsubscribe@... c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- |
|
Permanence of foam
Well, I had tuned out of this forum for a couple of months and now everyone seems to be
building with new materials. I have my doubts about the permanence of foam as a base for a layout. I wonder how stable it is. Of course, modules aren't forever, but you don't want to re- engineer one ever couple of years unless you really want to redesign it. I did not take the advice from the movie The Graduate and never got into plastics, but I have experienced an interesting phenomenon with Marklin plastic that speaks to this subject. Back in the 70's (Gee, don't I sound like a geezer?), right after I received my first mini-club set while stationed in Germany, I got a Marklin track guide template, part 0208. I used it to plan a large 4-ft by 4-ft layout which I built and later dismantled. After languishing for a couple of years, I got the track guide back out and it seems to have shrunk and buckled up some. I bought the latest guide, the part 0212 and sure enough, the scales on these two guides are slightly different. Even the ruler edge is off by a bit. I don't know what kind of semi-hard plastic that guide is made of, but I was surprised to see this. I don't expect a module I build today to last 30 years, but if that foam you use to build a layout deforms over even a couple of years, your trackbed will move with it. (Just like the prototype San Andreas fault...) Just some thoughts. |
|
Re: Uploaded Pictures of my new modules
randy smidt
It works. It's just much noisier.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Randy Smidt Gary Hoffman <ghoffman@...> wrote: Tim seems to be using the foam as underlayment for his track. Is this good practice these days? I thought that stuff was only for scenery. Tim, did you use cork roadbed on top of the foam? Gary --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "timzbend" <timzbend@y...> wrote:
... Both modules have been created with 1" foam on top of 1/8" board... SPONSORED LINKS G scale train Ho scale model train Model train n scale G scale model train Ho scale trains N scale trains --------------------------------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "Z-Bend_Track" on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Z-Bend_Track-unsubscribe@... Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. --------------------------------- |
|
Re: Uploaded Pictures of my new modules
SJ-BAZ man
Pink or blue and even 1/4 ply is all a bit noisy. Haven't heard the Marklin
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
or MicroTrains on anything else so can't say their is much difference. I use 3/4 pink from Home Depot. It is NOT flat so one must frame it every sq ft or you may have 1/8" warps, bows or cupping. Try to find a piece that is just cupped and lay the minimum side down so the edges pull it flat. Foam bed or decking, whichever one wants to call it is really light. Add on layered foam and a thin plaster overcoat and even with track it is still very light. The frame is what adds tons really fast. A simple 2x2 can be several pounds where the entire foam and track half of that ! A 2x4 layout with 1x2 for subframing the foam, wires and such really adds up. Consider 1/2x4 pine for the box. Careful work in assembling and bonded to the foam makes a strong box. Get kiln dried pine and it will be straight and light. Plywood is out of the question. Some are even experimenting with just 1" or 1.5" foam and a Z-bend interface board at the end for ultra light modules. Once everything is set up at a show, one can just about place a simple piece of foam with out framing. Jeff -----Original Message-----
From: Z-Bend_Track@... [mailto:Z-Bend_Track@...]On Behalf Of Gary Hoffman Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 7:34 PM To: Z-Bend_Track@... Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: Uploaded Pictures of my new modules Tim seems to be using the foam as underlayment for his track. Is this good practice these days? I thought that stuff was only for scenery. Tim, did you use cork roadbed on top of the foam? Gary --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "timzbend" <timzbend@y...> wrote: ... > Both modules have been created with 1" foam on top of 1/8" board > which has been inserted using tongue & groove into 1x6" sides. The > side boards provide the mechanical strength to protect the foam. The > 1x6" boards are cut down as required with the flow of the scenery, or > to 4" at the interface. ... SPONSORED LINKS G scale train Ho scale model train Model train n scale G scale model train Ho scale trains N scale trains ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "Z-Bend_Track" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Z-Bend_Track-unsubscribe@... c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- |
|
Re: Uploaded Pictures of my new modules
Tim seems to be using the foam as underlayment for his track. Is this good practice these
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
days? I thought that stuff was only for scenery. Tim, did you use cork roadbed on top of the foam? Gary --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "timzbend" <timzbend@y...> wrote:
... Both modules have been created with 1" foam on top of 1/8" board... |
|
Re: Uploaded Pictures of my new modules
Gary:
Tim seems to be using the foam as underlayment for his track. Is this goodTrack can be (and is) routinely put on top of both blue/pink foams. It does tend to be very noisy, and various roadbeds have been tried by folks to quiet it down. Track also works over white crumbly foams very well, too...provided the white foam has been carved with a "hot wire" cutter and a straight edge, or, some form of hardshell applied over the carved foam to make a stable platform for the track. Granted, cork would be a real plus to keeping track flat and true on this type of construction. It could be difficult to control white foams (and expanding foams) well enough for direct track placement. Woodland Scenics entire product line is based on white crumbly foam...and a number of ZBT modules have been built with it with no negatives posted to the list(s). Not all hands are created equal. Plan to use what works for your hands, tools, imagination and talents. Bill K. Houston |
|
Loren's order
Loren Snyder
Bill,
I'll take the following please, wrapped in a pretty pink, er, I mean blue bow, with a winning power ball ticket and front row seats at the super bowl. ..............ok, you can't get the rest, well then just send me the following....... 2 middle module kits 1 power kit 1 end module kit Thanks Bill, Loren |
to navigate to use esc to dismiss