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Monday, May 18, 2026

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Welcome to Z Central Station

Welcome to the Z Central Station!  A model railroad site dedicated to 1:220 scale model trains. Z Central Station was created to provide Z Scalers a full featured online community.  Members can share their Z Scale experiences via our discussion forum, photo gallery, classifieds, videos, chat room and more!  Membership to Z Central Station is free!  Have an idea, comment, or concern? Z Central Station has a Contact us link under "My ZCS" menu option.  24 x 7 Active Chat for up to 20 members. Regular scheduled times are Sundays 1PM EST and Wednesdays 9:00PM EST.  Chat is open to any member. Stop in and say Hi!  10,000+ Z scaled image gallery open for all to enjoy.   Home Page Shout Box.13,000+ Forums Postings.  More than 200 free downloads in our Library containing Instructionals, decals, paper/cardstock models, paintchip charts, modeler pad, and more!  Ever wanted to create your own Blog?  Here is your chance to create a Blog on your Z scale layout, modeling project, or even contest entry!  You can add photos, videos, and links to show in your blog.  This is one of the latest modules, I wanted to be sure to re-introduce this powerful  tool for our members use.  It is simple to join Z Central Station with a Free membership!

Free Community Banners Free Z scale community banners are provided for individuals or groups looking to expand their current Z scale modeling group, starting a Z scale modeling group, or just to create a Z scale awareness in their area.  Community banners are displayed on every Z Central Station page.  For more information use the 'Contact us' form.  Z Central Station Private Messaging  ZCS always had the ability to allow private messaging between members but now it is functional for you to use.  When you log in you will notice a PM Notifier just under the search box on every ZCS web page.  When you go to your profile page you will notice several new PM modules.  Here is where you can have ZCS email you when you receive a new PM, compose a PM to another ZCS member by using their screen name.  You can also review sent, received, and deleted private messages.

Free Online Magazines  Here are some online sources for free magazines from various railroad related historical societies.  If you information of other sources let us know and we would be glad to create a link to help other model railroaders.     Keystone Modeler     AC&Y Modeler          Nickel Plate Road Modeler

Privacy Policy  Z Central Station has now adopted a Privacy Policy, effective as of July 30th, 2011.  Z Central Station has a Forum/Chat Disclaimer, effective as of July 31th, 2011.  Z Central Station  Mission Statment.

  This Date in Railroad History

Wanted!  Z Central Station is looking to add more photos, articles, and kit instructions.  Z Central Station has 270+ documents in our library with 45+ kit instruction documents.  We want to add more for future references.  We would also like to add any articles from a simple kit build, train car repaint, anything to do with Z scale modeling.  For more information or if you need help uploading images and files to ZCS, click on the 'Contact Us' Page.

Latest Member Z Scale Photos

Atlas Multi-Max Auto<br />Carrier TTX for the<br />MoPac
  • Atlas Multi-Max Auto
    Carrier TTX for the
    MoPac
  • Author: rvn2001
  • Hits: 173
  • Upload date:
    12 May 2026
Bare Layout update -<br />with Rokuhan track<br />and some buildings
  • Bare Layout update -
    with Rokuhan track
    and some buildings
  • Author: soccrdad30
  • Hits: 345
  • Upload date:
    05 May 2026
Bare Layout update -<br />with Rokuhan track<br />and some buildings
  • Bare Layout update -
    with Rokuhan track
    and some buildings
  • Author: soccrdad30
  • Hits: 356
  • Upload date:
    05 May 2026
Bare Layout update -<br />with Rokuhan track &<br />buildings
  • Bare Layout update -
    with Rokuhan track &
    buildings
  • Author: soccrdad30
  • Hits: 352
  • Upload date:
    05 May 2026
Bare Layout Update<br />with Rokuhan track &<br />buildings
  • Bare Layout Update
    with Rokuhan track &
    buildings
  • Author: soccrdad30
  • Hits: 350
  • Upload date:
    05 May 2026
Ebay bare layout-Run
  • Ebay bare layout-Run
  • Author: soccrdad30
  • Hits: 580
  • Upload date:
    26 April 2026
Ebay bare<br />layout-Update 1
  • Ebay bare
    layout-Update 1
  • Author: soccrdad30
  • Hits: 569
  • Upload date:
    26 April 2026
Ebay bare layout
  • Ebay bare layout
  • Author: soccrdad30
  • Hits: 571
  • Upload date:
    26 April 2026
T Trac Z
  • T Trac Z
  • Author: Guba
  • Hits: 569
  • Upload date:
    25 April 2026
TRZ Mainlines<br />Crossing TTZ<br />Mainlines
  • TRZ Mainlines
    Crossing TTZ
    Mainlines
  • Author: rvn2001
  • Hits: 1188
  • Upload date:
    30 March 2026
TRZ Mainlines<br />Crossing TTZ<br />Mainlines
  • TRZ Mainlines
    Crossing TTZ
    Mainlines
  • Author: rvn2001
  • Hits: 1150
  • Upload date:
    30 March 2026
Fantasy MoPac<br />Pacific
  • Fantasy MoPac
    Pacific
  • Author: rvn2001
  • Hits: 1284
  • Upload date:
    23 March 2026

Easy Blog Showcase

Hand-Crafting a Curved Turnout

Hand-Crafting a Curved Turnout

ZRailFan EasyBlog 24 April 2016
  After having completed this, I’m not entirely sure if I was brave to try it or foolhardy. But I’ve always been amazed by hand-laid turnouts (and hand-laid track in general), so for this small Z layo...
Read more
Avoiding the Slinky Effect

Avoiding the Slinky Effect

ZRailFan EasyBlog 08 April 2016
I love Kadee couplers. They are the only couplers you can (generally) reliably uncouple without sticking your fingers on the cars. They appear more realistic to my eye as well. But I’ve read where Z f...
Read more
It's Started!

It's Started!

ZRailFan EasyBlog 05 April 2016
    I hate to start out by apologizing, but I feel I must. This blog isn't about me but about things I come across while modeling. However, this first entry is actually a little about m...
Read more
Kitbashing a Micron Arts 1083 Pratt Truss Dual Mainline Bridge

Kitbashing a Micron Arts 1083 Pratt Truss Dual Mainline Bridge

ZRailFan EasyBlog 23 May 2016
It’s not that I’m so old. It’s just that there are traditions that are important. And one tradition, at least to me, is to fabricate as much as possible. I don’t like buying ready-to-run models. I pre...
Read more
Roadbed Begins!

Roadbed Begins!

ZRailFan EasyBlog 15 April 2016
  With my basic table completed, it was time to start laying out some roadbed in preparation for track. Since the table is 24” across, and I wanted my mainline curve radius to be as large as possible,...
Read more
Hand-Laid Turnouts the Easy Way

Hand-Laid Turnouts the Easy Way

ZRailFan EasyBlog 29 April 2016
  I’m not afraid of hard work. Never have been. But if I can work smarter, I’d rather do that. In this case, it’s long been a…dream, I suppose, to learn to build hand-laid turnouts. It always seemed l...
Read more

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ZCS Shoutbox

Kez - Sun 15 Feb - 12:08

soccrdad30, is that you on ebay?

Kez - Wed 5 Nov - 20:48

:O

rvn2001 - Sun 10 Aug - 13:00

JOE! Join us in chat!!

HawaiiTim - Wed 9 Jul - 15:53

Aloha. Thanks for letting me "in"! :)

rvn2001 - Sun 4 May - 12:49

May the 4th be with you...

rvn2001 - Wed 1 Jan - 02:11

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Welcome to 2025. I hope you get all the trains you want.

rvn2001 - Wed 25 Dec - 05:04

MERRY CHRISTMAS !! and Happy Holidays to everyone!

southernnscale - Sat 21 Sep - 23:09

Looks like it been dead here for a while! it was once pretty busy! Sad almost like Micro Trains doing less in Z scale!!!!!!! :D

rvn2001 - Mon 6 May - 20:20

John, The bridge looks GREAT!

rvn2001 - Mon 1 Jan - 09:41

Welcome ! to the year 2024 !!

rvn2001 - Mon 25 Dec - 06:45

Merry Christmas! & Happy Holidays!

rvn2001 - Thu 23 Nov - 12:44

Happy Thanksgiving !!

soccrdad30 - Sun 18 Jun - 13:01

Happy Father's Day!

Kez - Thu 1 Dec - 13:51

Anyone home?

stonysmith - Mon 6 Sep - 17:00

From Keri Denler:At 2:20 pm on 9/6/2021 Thomas Cipelle, my Papa, passed from this world surrounded by his family. https://www.facebook.com/groups/85660774918/permalink/10159652119844919/

rvn2001 - Sun 6 Jun - 06:42

That's a Dining-Parlor car, not a Dinind-Parlor car....

rvn2001 - Fri 16 Apr - 02:43

REMEMBER The World's Greatest Hobby Online Virtual Train show is Saturday 04-17-2021!!!

rvn2001 - Sun 4 Apr - 05:16

Hoppy Easter everybody !!

Vern1952 - Thu 25 Mar - 16:36

Thanks Thom!

rvn2001 - Wed 17 Mar - 13:10

Vern, I like your switchers!

rvn2001 - Wed 17 Mar - 13:09

Yes, Mike.

GNFan - Sun 14 Mar - 08:01

rvn2001 (Thom): blueberry, or perhaps Northwest wild blackberry? ;-)

rvn2001 - Sun 14 Mar - 05:14

Happy PI Day

rvn2001 - Thu 31 Dec - 19:46

...and...HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

rvn2001 - Fri 25 Dec - 00:14

HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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Random Modeling Tip

Get rid of the 'toy' look
29 Jun 2019 14:39 - John Kellett

A quick and simple method to get rid of the plastic new freight car look is to spray a light coat of Dullcoat.  This will take away the 'toy' train look of your layout.  If you don't have any Testor's Dullcoat you can use any Matte Finish spray to get the same results.  Just a simple spray to each side and let dry.  This can be done to any plastic kits also.

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First layout photoshops
03 Aug 2012 05:30 - Jason Kirkpatrick

It's said that people who live with a pet being to look like each other. I wonder if it's true with layouts?

After a little advice with where to start, [ ... ]

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2012 Z Central Station Monthly Calendar
09 Feb 2012 15:16 - John Kellett
2012 Z Central Station Monthly Calendar

Free Z Central Station 2012 Monthly Calendar

 

Welcome to the 2012 Z Central Station's free PDF monthly calendar!  This is a free download.  [ ... ]

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Hopper Weathering Clinic III
09 Feb 2012 17:00 - William Mock
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Hopper Weathering Clinic III
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January 2010

OK, I gave the inside of these hoppers a wash of Engine Black below the coal line. They [ ... ]

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