Back in Z scale again

Hello everyone

Just getting back into Z scale again in a serious way after an absence of quite some years, it's hard to believe all of the changes which have happened while I wasn't paying attention.

I got my first Z stuff way back in 1990, when the only choice of motive power was the F7A. The Marklin one came in nice colours but was visually off at first sight, and the Micro Trains one looked good but there was still a limit to the number of just F7s you could possibly want. After a few years of waiting in vain for just a ray of plastic injection sunshine in North American Z, I gave up and turned to Swiss models. After all, there was a choice there from Marklin, so I switched prototypes and went all in. It was fun to start with, but then Marklin just lost their touch completely – did I really want to wait three years for an announced model from a big company and then risk finding there were serious quality issues? It's a hobby, so my answer was no, thank you. About four years ago I closed the lid completely on all of my Z scale modelling, and I was pretty sure I'd never be back.

Not having followed the North American Z scene for much longer than that I was completely taken aback one evening whilst browsing the internet (now what was I looking for...?) by discovering just what was available in North American Z (thanks to David K. Smith and his site). Oh my... geeps! Oh my... more choice and variety everywhere! Oh my... Boston & Maine!

And so, I'm back. Of course Z will never be a mainstream scale – but was that ever the idea? I'm just happy to see that today I can have great models from more than one company and also choose from more than one brand of track.

Comparing Z scale to itself a few years back, I have to say I'm very optimistic about the present and the future of Z. And I look forward to getting back into the scale with a modular layout. Sorry, no prizes to whoever guesses first which railroad I am going to model...

Bye for now

Adrian
Bern, Switzerland

Welcome back Adrian,
Yes I must agree there are some nice choices out there now a day. I'm new to Z scale but it reminds me of N scale from years ago with the exception of the fact that the quality of the details is spot on which years ago n scale was not.
With that being said there are a few companies out now that are competing for business; so the variety will continue to improve.
SUch fun in such small spaces enjoy I sure am, and can't wait to see what you come up with for your fun.

Glen

Adrian,
Welcome back. If you're such a B&M fan, may I suggest you look into the RDCs. A quick slows they are still available in both the RDC-1 & RDC-2 cars. I know of nothing more unique than these units.

Mark

Z was going good there for a while but I think it hit a bump. There were new things like those RDCs. I remember when the idea of RDCs was brought up in the forums. People were asking, "what are they", then it was. "these are neat we should have these in Z" and then it was not long before they were actually produced. I had hoped this trend would have continued.
The fiascoes of ALL the companies doing business in China and the state of the economy kind of put a damper on things. There were great things promised, and few great things made, but it has lost its inertia. I am hoping in the near future things will get better.
All I am saying is Z has made great leaps but could be better. You picked a railroad that has Z engines and equipment. The more Z railroaders there are the better for everyone. I am optimistic too, but with a touch of reality tugging at my shirttails.

Kelly,
I agree that times have changed. 2005 seemed to be the zenith of module group participation and excitement was growing by the day it seemed. Now, ZoCal is the leader in train show numbers, with BAZ following second, with other clubs doing it 'once in a while' it seems.

Though it would have cost more to keep it at home and not give it to the Chinese, the companies that are now using and relying on China have paid the price in several ways......delays, rejects and returns to the factory, being 'let go' by the factory and I suppose there are more reasons for wishing that Z would have stayed home in the USA.

While there are many new items recently, the whole experience of the past several years has soured some I'm afraid and they may be reluctant to jump into Z.

I think the saying "If you want something done right, then do it yourself" somewhat applies here.

Let's all hope that Z will continue to grow and flourish even in these tough economic times. One thing Z scalers have had to develop is more patience.

Still, overall, Z is for me and a lot of other fine folks. Keep the positive Z thoughts flowing.

Kelley, tealplanes

Thanks, very interesting thoughts there. Looking at the release dates of some models I can clearly see what you mean. I guess there was something of a rush around 2005, and maybe that was a zenith for Z - or was it just filling a void which had existed for 15+ years in a very short time? You know - no bus in sight for ages and then three of them turn up at the same time. Usually, that doesn't mean there will be three buses every ten minutes from that moment on .

Having walked all the way through the Z scale hell of the 1990s (and I have the F7s to prove it) I just feel very comfortable with Z today. Maybe I'm just seeing an overly optimistic snapshot of today and am not (yet) getting the idea of the general direction of travel, but what I do know is that my teenage son and his friends will hardly ever glance at anything that doesn't run on a game console - but lo and behold, my Z test setup over Christmas caught their attention for almost 30 minutes, and it got branded as being "way out cool". Not because it's trains (usually not cool at all) but because "it's so small and it looks real and it works".

The growing difficulties with production in China, on the other hand, is a more serious matter. I think this will affect us all more and more in the future, and it won't just concern our hobbies. I know of at least two companies who have actually moved production back to Europe for some of the mentioned reasons / difficulties. The question, as always, will be: are we willing to pay for the quality (and supply) we demand? Hopefully, our Z scale suppliers can find solutions which will work for both sides of the market.

Let's see what I'll think twelve months down the road or so.

Adrian

Adrian,
I wish I were a multimillionaire with too much money on my hands and loved Z scale.
I know what I'd do....I'd start a whole new company, hire the best in each area needed and produce whatever anyone wanted at just a bit above cost so as to make many folks smile. It would be fun to be that sort of person with that sort of clout. Just dreaming..........

I think not only are people not jumping on, some are leaving and dying off. Everything is stagnant. We used to have these great brainstorming sessions, and things actually came out of them. But because reality did not keep up with expectations, people became jaded or lost interest. Still, every once in a while something nice pops up.

Kelley, I would say we are far from stagnant. I think what you are seeing is the ongoing decline of the forums. The forums use to be vibrant places that Z scalers could come, discuss and share. But in the last few years, the negativity on the forums has driven many Z scalers away. How many times does one have to go on chat to walk into a manufacturer or individual bashing session. When the forums turn into tools to try hurt businesses or individuals, then the focus is lost. Individuals in a hobby are in it for fun and enjoyment. They want to share their passion and excitement. They have to deal with politics, negativity and real life at home. But their hobby gives them a chance to escape the real world and have fun. But if their escape mimics the reality they live, then why would they want to partake?

I am very fortunate that I get to see all sides of Z scale. I can tell you it is growing and very much alive. It is far from stagnant with new members joining all of the time. Just last night I talked to a gentleman looking to get into Z. His excitement got me fired up. I loved his passion and enthusiasm. He is one of many I have been in contact lately.

We are very fortunate today that we have more products and choices than ever before. I remember not too long ago, Z scalers begged for a sub $100 hood unit. We have it today. We also have a wealth of rolling stock types and liveries that are starting to fill gaps in our inventories. Trust me when I say that in the next few weeks, you will see more new releases and options that were only a pipe dream in the past. It is all quite exciting!

I would love to see the forums alive again. This will only happen with sharing and enthusiasm. The forums are what we make of them. I encourage folks to share what they are doing, ask questions, and be part of the community. Let's put the negativity aside and move on. We all are having way too much fun and should be sharing it with others. We are definitely at a start of an all new age in Z that should be quite thrilling.

Rob

Rob - now you've really added some nice curiosity topping to my enthusiasm

Sounds as though I picked the right moment to come back - just in time for the show

You definitely picked the right time to get back in Z!

Fedex is due here Thursday. Expect announcements soon after. I so can't wait!

Rob