Hello to one and all,
I have a confession to make. I'm a Z scale runner! Yes, runner. I have a modest collection of Micro-Trains F7's A's and a B (a personal kit bash) and freight cars. I have a M?rklin US passenger set that I have repainted in Union Pacific colours as well as some scratch built cars and kit bashed steam locos. These are all based on UP prototype and are made to run relentlessly at 5-6 train shows a year. They all have 100's of hours of operation on them. So if I ever try to sell something, assume it's used, very used!
I must also confess that I do have a collection... the NMRA Heritage Collection in Z. I couldn't resist.
My layout is built for train shows and ultimate portability and reliability. The Val Ease Central RR is contained in two, and soon to be three, 36" hard shell suitcases. The cases are linked together to form the complete layout although each suitcase is self contained.
I have been working on this labour of love since December 1993 and overall attendance at trainshows and exhibits where the Val Ease Central was operating has now surpassed 500,000.
Current projects are:
1- refurbishing and testing the VECR for the upcoming National Train Show in Saint Paul, MN, July 23-25, 1999. I'll update you on where you can find me at the show. I've been assigned an excellent space but I have to find the letter from the NTS!
2- building my most ambitious loco conversion...making a UP 2-8-0 from the M?rklin 88981 0-8-0 chassis. So far so good, as I've got the superstructure almost done, the tender is ready for painting and decals and I've found a way to add the leading truck to the underframe. I'll post updates on the project as my courage allows!
3- of course adding the third suitcase to the layout. The track is laid, the control box is built and the fast clock works! I have more terraforming to do and scenicking will probably take place later this summer. If all goes well, I hope to officially unveil the complete Val Ease Central at the GATS in Puyallup, WA in November.
4- painting and lettering the Miller Engineering 2 and 3 bay hopper car kits that I succeeded in building. Honestly, I thought that they were a pinch too big but after a while I fell in love with them. I believe that there is one manufacturing error on the 3 bay hopper (one side of the centre bay was not angled). Please correct me if I am wrong and that the prototype hoppers were built that way!
5- building a work train...only in the "buying the NN3 cars for later bashing" stage. This project is inspired by Terry Sutfin, a wonderful Z scale RUNNER! in Vancouver, WA.
6- getting my Val Ease Central web site into shape. I have the web space, the scanner, the web publisher (Word 7 for Mac), the pictures and the good intentions... I just need the WILLPOWER!
I'll sign off for now. I look forward to sharing electrons with you so I can get my Z fix between train shows.
Cheers,
Jeffrey MacHan
