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where do you get your track?
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I am looking at putting together 2 2'x4' end modules and am surprised
at the cost of track. It is going to cost far too much for the track to put on these to make it worth while. What options do I have for track? I was looking at putting in 2 switches on the corner end to allow the outside track to continue. z-scale flex track is too expensive for this, and microtrains track may be too. How do you guys afford to build modules? |
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Make sure you are getting a common 25-30% discount. You'll need one pkg of MTL flex. The turnouts will cost a bit more and the wood frame will cost at least half of that. Skip 10 latte's or 22 days of coffee :)
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M?rklin or Peco flex (Euro tie spacing and visibly larger rail) will be about the same as MTL. Build one module and be a part of the coop. You'll be inspired to add more detail, etc. You don't need a lot of modules (unless you need to run at home). Jeff SF Bay Area Z ------Original Message------
From: Craig Stuart Sender: Z-Bend_Track@... To: Z-Bend_Track@... ReplyTo: Z-Bend_Track@... Sent: Nov 11, 2008 8:41 PM Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] where do you get your track? I am looking at putting together 2 2'x4' end modules and am surprised at the cost of track. It is going to cost far too much for the track to put on these to make it worth while. What options do I have for track? I was looking at putting in 2 switches on the corner end to allow the outside track to continue. z-scale flex track is too expensive for this, and microtrains track may be too. How do you guys afford to build modules? ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile |
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I have a pair of maerklin switches you may have.
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lemme know if you want them. -----Original Message-----
From: Z-Bend_Track@... [mailto:Z-Bend_Track@...]On Behalf Of Craig Stuart Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:41 PM To: Z-Bend_Track@... Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] where do you get your track? I am looking at putting together 2 2'x4' end modules and am surprised at the cost of track. It is going to cost far too much for the track to put on these to make it worth while. What options do I have for track? I was looking at putting in 2 switches on the corner end to allow the outside track to continue. z-scale flex track is too expensive for this, and microtrains track may be too. How do you guys afford to build modules? |
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Hmmmm . . . and me too.
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Jeff Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -----Original Message-----
From: "Ted LaMar" <tedlamar@...> Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:05:22 To: <Z-Bend_Track@...> Subject: RE: [Z-Bend_Track] where do you get your track? I have a pair of maerklin switches you may have. lemme know if you want them. -----Original Message----- From: Z-Bend_Track@... [mailto:Z-Bend_Track@...]On Behalf Of Craig Stuart Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:41 PM To: Z-Bend_Track@... Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] where do you get your track? I am looking at putting together 2 2'x4' end modules and am surprised at the cost of track. It is going to cost far too much for the track to put on these to make it worth while. What options do I have for track? I was looking at putting in 2 switches on the corner end to allow the outside track to continue. z-scale flex track is too expensive for this, and microtrains track may be too. How do you guys afford to build modules? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links |
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OK I was thinking I needed closer to 2 packs of track. Isn't MTL track only 12" long? That would mean I need for 3' of straight that is 12' + the curve around 6' so at least 16' of track? So I am needing 2 packs of MTL track per module, or am I missing something? I wasn't seeing the discount on the track a few months ago that I am seeing now. That is why I was asking. I haven't started on these as the track was looking at costing too much. On top of that I need the cork as well.
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We are building this for us and our club. We will be making a stand alone layout with 2 corner modules of 2'x4' that the n-scale club was able to donate to us. We will then add a corner module to that. So the 2 modules will make a complete loop. The idea to put switches in the outer tracks will let us join a show setup with the inner tracks allowing for a turnaround and the outer tracks continuing. sjbazman49@... wrote: Make sure you are getting a common 25-30% discount. You'll need one pkg of MTL flex. The turnouts will cost a bit more and the wood frame will cost at least half of that. Skip 10 latte's or 22 days of coffee :) --
Craig Williamson craig@... - 405-610-2171 AOL Instant Messaging ID: euragoober Yahoo Instant Messaging ID: penfold_bf |
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Lets see if I remember my geometry. First you said you were making
two 2x4 ends but in the reply is sounds like you also are making a 3' straight section. You got that math correct, 3'x2 tracks per side, 2 sides = 6'+6'=12'. For the ends, the outer Z-Bend Track (ZBT) is 10". Circumference of a circle is 2(pi)r so 2*3.14*10=62.8" or another 5'. ZBT track has 2- 1/8" setbacks at the module ends (track starts), or 4x that for each entire outer track circle: 4*2.125=8.5" So 62.8"-8.5"=54.3". The inner track is 9" radius so 2(pi)9"= 56.52" less the 4 ZBT module interface setbacks = 48". So 5'+4' or 9' more for BOTH end mdoules. You should be squeaky close to 2 pkgs total. Now, most of us don't do the 9" & 10" on the ends. Most make a balloon end module using 10" & 11" tracks. S bend them to get to the 1" larger radius and it will look a lot nicer. Easily fits on the same 2'x2' module. Draw the 11" radius to 1" from the absolute end of the module (the mid point of the arc). Make another 10" one inside of that. Use a French Curve or the flex track to make a transision from the smaller to the the large. You should try and preserve the ZBT's 2-7/8 straight setback from the start of the track but as long as the last 1" is straigh is good enough for me. Jeff --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., Craig Williamson <craig@...> wrote: track only 12" long? That would mean I need for 3' of straight that is12' + the curve around 6' so at least 16' of track? So I am needing 2packs of MTL track per module, or am I missing something? I wasn'tseeing the discount on the track a few months ago that I am seeing now. Thatis why I was asking. I haven't started on these as the track waslooking at costing too much. On top of that I need the cork as well.stand alone layout with 2 corner modules of 2'x4' that the n-scale clubwas able to donate to us. We will then add a corner module to that.So the 2 modules will make a complete loop. The idea to put switches inthe outer tracks will let us join a show setup with the inner tracksone pkg of MTL flex. The turnouts will cost a bit more and the wood frame will cost at least half of that. Skip 10 latte's or 22 days of coffee :) will be about the same as MTL. to add more detail, etc. You don't need a lot of modules (unless you need to run at home). surprised trackat the cost of track. It is going to cost far too much for the forto put on these to make it worth while. What options do I have totrack? I was looking at putting in 2 switches on the corner end guysallow the outside track to continue. z-scale flex track is too afford to build modules? |
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Jeff BAZ-man wrote:
Saw this line and ignored it the first time around but now I need to comment. Why in the world would a store stock any product that they have to discount 25-30% to sell.? If your criteria for shopping at a store is that they sell at no profit, you're not going to have many stores carrying Z Scale for long.sjbazman49@... wrote:Make sure you are getting a common 25-30% discount. Bill Dixon |
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MTL's?"suggested retail price" is $50+.? Virtually every outlet, including my LHS, sell at a discount.? This is commonly 20-30%.? My LHS sells it as?$39.??Z?Scale Monster at $37.? Some others at $35.? This is very common retail practice (consumer goods, TV's, you name it).? They all make a profit.? Some don't make as much (say with eBay &PP, other overhead and?others feel they are doing fine.? Every one has a business basis, costs and overhead.
Many are not storefronts with high overhead costs.? For me (and the vast majority of Z scalers), we have to buy from the internet.? Either due to lack of local availability or distance, not necessarily for price.? For me, the web is a convenience when 1) I am in fron of?it for 4-8 hrs a day, 2)?my total business work day (OEM sales) is10-12 hrs. Convenience is king. ?Jeff SF Bay Area Z ________________________________ From: W.R.Dixon <WRDixon@...> To: Z-Bend_Track@... Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 10:31:07 PM Subject: Re: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: where do you get your track? Jeff BAZ-man wrote: Saw this line and ignored it the first time around but now I need tosjbazman49@... wrote:Make sure you are getting a common 25-30% discount. comment. Why in the world would a store stock any product that they have to discount 25-30% to sell.? If your criteria for shopping at a store is that they sell at no profit, you're not going to have many stores carrying Z Scale for long. Bill Dixon ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links |
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I'm new to the List, but as a very Hi-Tech and uniquely Accurate DIY track manufacturer, I'm working on fixing many of the track availability/pricing issues I see mentioned here.
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I'm taking the successful designs I use for making HO track and gradually working them into Z scale versions. So what I have newly made may be of help to some of you already, and what's coming beyond that, hopefully will be of lots of use to many of you. Some easy to use turnout building tools are also in the works for later this year This is a new product announcement, so please contact me off list with any just commercially related questions. Suggestions for improvements or other needs are of course welcomed on or off-list :) Andy Reichert Passionate realistic track modeler, Founder and Designer, The Proto:87 Stores --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "Craig Stuart" <craig@...> wrote:
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Andy - do I see #10 turnouts :) I know those are HO templates shown on the Z scale future page but #6 & #8's would really be nice. Even 4's for the yards and elsewhere. Don't know how many Wyes you would sell but lots of places for them too, like the 2 that I alread had to adapt on my "Y" module.
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Welcome to Z ! I'll make sure this gets on the other Z forums (TrainBoard and Z Central stations + other locals) Jeff SF Bay Area Z --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "intelegence2002" <andy_r@...> wrote:
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