Z Gauge Layout

Discussion in 'Members Personal Layouts' started by Z_Downunder, Oct 27, 2017.

  1. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    So, first up, the splitting of the train release and point/turnout change, by adding the two "X" pairs of track switches. Under test, by releasing the alternate train earlier, there was enough power to ensure the entry point/turnout was changed when the original track switch was activated. :thumbup:

    Next, the addition of a Viessmann 5550 switch bank mounted between and wired to the two 5208 timer boxes, permitted the running of an occasional express train. The box had to be mounted off centre from the two control boxes so that the mounting screws remain hidden in the cliff face on t'other side !
    Excuse the pixelation ...
    [​IMG]
    As set up, with both switches down, most locos went straight through, the others slowed slightly, but did not stop.
    Alternatively, if the red tab is removed, putting the left switch down stops the train indefinitely, and a brief closing of the right switch releases it. Intended for use with push pull trains to allow reversing the direction of travel from the station via the turnouts on the curves on boards 1 & 3. Something we'll need to practice before next time.

    The other main changes were scenic - for example, while we had the burning house last year there was no fire crew - suitably posed figures from various sources (Merten, Preiser or Faller) have now been turned into the required crew ...
    [​IMG]
    … the two on the right with cases are from the arson squad !

    I then planted just under 1000 trees (accumulated over the past 4 years) and over 2m (~ 450 scale m) of scratch built hedges (using slices of packing foam beads), plus erected just under 2m (~ 400 scale m) of fences or walls (Preiser, Kibri, Faller or scratch built) to relieve the bareness.
    I also added some low relief trees at the back of the first plantation (from last year), as well as at the back of the two new plantations - i.e trees with their back half removed - as Z scale pines, no need for Gormo's neat low relief tree process. Being pines, the plastic branches were scrapped, but the foliage was added to the small bag of coloured foam that was the end result of all the planting.

    A quick scan across the layout at various dates last May - four or less weeks to go ...

    [​IMG]
    Board 1 : the top road has been widened for the addition of a parking bay, with an access down to the paddock / field. The pub scenery has been completed bar the addition of some more seated patrons. However looks as though I still had to take the dust buster to the extra vegetation between the main and branch lines.
    The top road to the right of the bay through to the tunnel has had a crash/safety barrier (a discontinued Preiser product) added since above pic was taken ...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Board 2 : the top halt has been completed including a couple of salt boxes for icy days, while below, all the houses now have fences or hedges and some vegetation. The cul-de-sac by the bakery (opposite the station) has been properly blocked off, while the building site on board 3 has been extended onto this board to take the site crane (a NoBa Modell product).

    [​IMG]
    Board 3 : the crossing barrier on the right is in its board 'transport position' !
    The building site has been fenced off - this is about as fiddly as I like to get with scratch building - 0.2 mm grey sheet cut into scale standard marine ply sheets on a 'painted' timber frame.
    The originally white 3D printed crane kit was fine as far as the plastic parts went, however it came with a totally off scale hook (see inset below - approx 3.5 m tall or 12') and was tied to the traveller with a piece of string - about 0.3m or 1' ∅. That was replaced by a scratch built hook and still slightly over scale pulley block. With very little weight in the new hook assembly, tension was applied to the black cotton falls, which were then given a thin coat of plastic glue to stiffen them up. Took a couple of goes to get the correct effect ...
    [​IMG]

    One set of details that were shown at both shows when the interest arose, is the garage part of the servo/garage set-up ...
    [​IMG]
    Work bench on back wall and workshop hoist (with a car on it in 2016) - otherwise hidden from mind and view.

    Peter
     
  2. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    Squeezing this in between family commitments, so a quick cut and paste of the layout description, which did make it into the program this year ...

    " Z Gauge Layout (â…“ size of HO/OO at 1:220)

    The setting is a fairly busy mainline station in a fictional location in Germany in no particular period, but after 1932 when the last infill houses in the Neuestadt (new town) were completed. Several older houses were ‘lost', not without protest, when the town bypass was pushed through between the Station & the Neuestadt. The Altstadt (old town) and fire station are reached via the bridge on the left. The drivers on the roads can get into trouble as much as anyone anywhere, while the social cyclists don't much like the zig zag road - well, not going up at least.

    There is a branch line, with a spur which climbs into the mountains - the trains dropping off and picking up sightseers, hikers, climbers, speleologists (cave explorers) and the occasional artist en route. Freight traffic is sometimes seen, with the main line siding holding the 'SVT 04' set being used by the 'Z International' tour group - see if you can spot their yellow tour bus. Steam running periodically alternates with diesel power on all lines. Electrification may be coming, but the only sign is a small stack of catenary poles in the station yard. "

    Pics etc from 2017 exhibition tomorrow.

    Peter
     
  3. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    Set up day, just the sign and "Can You See" pages to be added to front of layout, oh, and also the Stand #. We ended up with far more space than intended, as the next layout (out of sight) on right came out a lot further than expected. The barriers should have been where the white tapes are - at this point the second half of neighbouring layout "Two Rivers" was still in transit - it eventually came up to their limit marker ...
    [​IMG]

    Day 1 : all tracks loaded and ready for the off (and "Two Rivers" complete) ...
    [​IMG]
    With identical motors in the diesel locos, train lengths in each direction are matched so station stop and braking controls also match. The branch loop is also using diesel power, and a Railbus sits ready at the far end of the top track. Passenger carriage stock for the steam engines sits on the sidings at the far end, and out of sight (under the photographer's right elbow) on the sidings at the near end.

    Again, my main supporters were the two #1s, and with last year's experience behind us, things proceeded smoothly (pic by #1 senior).
    [​IMG]
    Any one spot the 'deliberate' mistake? It went un-noticed until late on the Sunday, so was fixed for just the final day. The "Can You Find" from last year had been amended, and pics added - same sheet at each end of the layout.

    The Beanie stand did a steady trade - although there were many disappointed grandparents who were unable to persuade their youngster(s) to have one. One young girl was most insistent that she have the stripped non Thomas one, so her grandma graciously gave in.
    [​IMG]

    With the addition of the second bank of track switches for an earlier release of the alternate train, the fiddle yard crashes were much reduced although now occurring for a different reason. I had to ban my grand-daughter's hairy jumper, as restorative maintenance on several stalled diesels during day one, revealed the cause of these crashes - moulted black threads in the final drive gears as the culprit.
    The locos were stopping over the entry track switch due to the added resistance - however other train has been released, full circuit and . . . Crash :facepalm:

    With a mixed reaction on day one to the “Can you find” sheets, an overnight change yielded these three sheets - bigger pics/text and each sheet limited to items on one board of the layout ...
    [​IMG]
    Plenty of audience interaction, especially with the children, although one young lad was disappointed we didn't have a “Thomas” engine - he didn't however want a Thomas beanie. Märklin do produce a blue tank engine, so that may be on the purchase list before the next display.

    So minus jumper, but with a cardigan ready if needed, the girls on day 2 ...
    [​IMG]

    So what else needs to be done for next time - well, I still need to slow down the approach/departure speeds on both the automated tracks outside the deceleration/acceleration sections at the station to get a more prototypical speed. A solution is being developed - I'll post more if/when it works.

    I have just got to add a very short clip from this year to the 2016 video, get it onto YouTube, then link it here - some time this weekend I hope.

    Peter

    P.S. if you didn't spot it [image reloaded as it went missing just before the site change]...
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2018
  4. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Well done Peter, it looks an excellent show piece! looking forward to the video :thumbup:
     
  5. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    At last here's the 2016/2017 video link, you'll see what I mean about approach speeds. While I managed to tame them a little this year still not what I'd like. Sorry about some of the quality, otherwise enjoy.



    Peter
     
  6. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    As this layout only sees maybe a weeks worth of action each year, it has gone into storage (just dust covers to be replaced after taking the pics) until time to get ready after Easter next year for its June outing.

    Boards 3 & 1 ...
    [​IMG]

    and Boards 4 & 2 ...
    [​IMG]

    Now to find some time for some home layout improvements : http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/z-gauge-downunder.1848/

    I'll be back to this topic in due course.

    Peter
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2018
  7. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Well done Peter.
    It does seem a shame that it only gets used for 1 week in a year. We need some more local shows on a smaller scale which I'm sure would attract more modellers to present their layouts to the public and fellow modellers.
    :scratchchin:
    Kim
     
  8. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    And that time has rolled around again, so time to get ready.

    With a transport issue having cropped up since the last two shows - first task was to knock up a transport module to get the whole layout into my (tiny) Getz in one go ...

    The completed unit - the top shelf goes further back (over the top of the folded back seats) so that the sloping hatch closes. I didn't test load the unit in the car, as that meant lugging each part from the back of the house - not good for my back - so that test load occurred in the house ...

    Tight tolerances but 5mm (1/5") is enough to work with.



    Now with 17 days to go, time to get back to the speed issues.

    Peter
     
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  9. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Hi Peter, if you need a hand or some more car space just shout out. If not I’ll see you there.
    Kim
     
  10. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    Thanks Kim - with the unit made up and tested, we're good to go - see you there.
     
  11. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    Thanks Kim - with the unit made up and tested, we're good to go - see you there.
     
  12. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Hi Peter, car packed and ready to go tomorrow?
    I will be there early so if you need a hand unloading, no trouble :thumbs:
    Kim
     
  13. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    Too late, I got in early today [Thursday] to ensure I had time to fix some new gremlins. Thanks anyway.


    Just the Control Deck/central fiddle yard module to go in - one advantage of modelling in Z :thumbup:

    Peter
     
  14. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    So today was a matter of finalising things, when not chatting with other exhibitors. Just sign, "Can you find" sheets & stand number to add before the off tomorrow.


    Kim's lot are against the wall on the other side of the screen. Good to have a chat today.

    Peter
     
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  15. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Peter in action today.



    Looking good Peter :thumbup:
    Kim
     
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  16. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    Thanks for the pics Kim

    As you noted in your report on "Mr Murgatroyd's Layout" there were indeed plenty taking close up pics, with some even asking permission, as if we'd refuse :thumbup:

    With extra support tomorrow, hope to get time for some pics of the other exhibits.

    Peter
     
  17. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Happy Birthday Peter.
    Enjoy the last day at the show with your family. :thumbs:

    (How did the point replacement go?)
     
  18. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    Thank you.

    The replacement didn't happen as soldering would have been required - we ran with a single train on the up line, with manual release for the missing second train.

    Peter
     
  19. Z_Downunder

    Z_Downunder Full Member

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    One bonus from day three of the exhibition was a surprise 'gift' of a non working loco, a burnt wagon, an apparently OK wagon & a track section. The previous owner asked if I could test a Z loco for him, and produced these items from a presentation pen case ...


    The loco had been damaged by some corrosive substance at some point, but was never going to run, as once I'd separated the body from the chassis, while the armature could be turned, I could see the copper pickup tabs were bearing on the outside of the drive wheels on both sides (bottom left pic below) ...


    At this point, I was asked to keep the lot, and off the guy went.


    This afternoon, I gave all four items the once over - the yellow 'Banana' refrigerated wagon was OK, while the flat wagon was beyond help, a candidate for a lineside cameo at best - no couplings, however I can salvage the pair of metal wheel sets ...


    The track supply section was showing an intermittent short, however once the gunge was cleaned off, it works - no short !? - the second unit in this pic was one I used for guidance while digging gunge from around the capacitor.


    Then on to the loco, a complete strip down which revealed that the brushes were OK, but the coupling springs (1.5 mm diameter x 4mm long) had been lost, was followed by a thorough clean. Then reassembly with the pick ups bearing on the backs of the drive wheels, a new pair of springs for the couplings and viola - a quickly made up oval using stock rail & the track supply section ...




    Peter
     
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  20. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    It's always a "Yippee" moment when you get a "Non-Runner" going again, especially when it's either cheap or a 'Freebee'!
    Keith.
     
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