New Handcar for Z

Hi,

Just a quick note to let you know that I am releasing
a cute little brass vehicle kit that is an easy build. It is a
tiny Z scale Handcar that was in use from the late
19th century until the mid 20th century when the
modern "speeders" replaced them.

Go to:
www.micronart.com

for a quick look.
Thanks and enjoy!

Reynard

Been waiting for sombody to make these..I try to drop hints..I figured these would be sort of easy to do in etched. These will go on my wishlist. Im thinking of the scene from "O Brother"..just need some fine chain...

Very nice.

Lajos

Micron Art New Handcar kit



A scratch built resin/etch brass handcar


Proportionate wheel size???

Just thinking out loud!!!

Would it not be better to create a kit where the model uses instead the smaller size wheels that Marklin uses on there 4-8-2 or other similar arrangement locos. The front 4 wheels are alot smaller in diameter than rollingstock 30"+ size scale wheels. I know that the smaller size wheels are not cheap to obtain, but I feel a better choice for a somewhat prototypical handcar.

Hobo Tim

Please note I am not bashing this kit, just think a better alternative to using the rollingstock size wheel is available. I have many of Micron Arts kits and accessories, matter of fact I just picked up another one last night.

Hi Hobo Tim,

Small insulated metal wheels are hard to come by, unless you make them yourself. I really like the look
of the FVM metal wheels that I have chosen; they are finely finished and roll very freely.
Take a look at some of the historical images of handcars and you'll see much
bigger wheels on some of them: www.micronart.com/Handcar_historic.html

Back in September I discussed the issue of smaller Z scale wheels with Matt at Fox Valley Models but we
both agreed that the market could not support the initial tooling costs and extra miniature jeweler's handwork
that all things Z scale require. We are lucky that he is supplying the 33" dia wheelsets for Z right now.
BTW, his wheels are "to scale".

Fortunately for the N scale folks, FVM is making 28" Dia wheelsets for N scale. I must say they look really
beautiful. The picture you posted is of our N scale version of the handcar, showing the etched brass
kit and the wheels supplied in the 2013 N scale Handcar Kit. Thanks for posting it.

Best regardZ,
Reynard

Reynard, you may want to try and get in touch with these folks--

freenet-homepage.de/norm24/Spur_Z.html

They have some very fine, very small wheels. It might make the handcar more appropriate for more modern eras, as I don't know how many of us are modeling turn of the century or earlier; post-war handcars are likely to have 16-inch or smaller wheels.

Hi David,
I've already purchased enough wheels for about
100 kits. I think these handcars are very good looking
as they are, with the wheels I have chosen.

The Micron Art 1013 Handcar is only $17.50
www.micronart.com/1013_ZHandcar.html

Otherwise folks can contact that German company,
buy some small wheels and scratch build a handcar
out of thin styrene. Let's see your results here at
Z Central. Take up the challenge :>)

regardZ,
Reynard

Thanks Lajos & Kelley,
It's been a long haul in designing a usable and charming looking handcar.
Here is a shot of it on track:

Oops, here's a smaller size image:

Text text texttexttexttexttexttexttext

I'm getting one of these! Cheers, Jim CCRR:woohoo:

Thanks Jim, I knew some of our biggest fans would like these cool looking Handcars. They are designed for buildability & details
like a "foot-brake" on one side; a moveable drive handle; spoke wheel inserts for those wanting an olde-time appearance; shovels;
a couple of brass silhouette guys pumping the drive handles. A lot of extra details for a small kit!

So now who is going to build the hidden motor and the mechanism to make the handels go up and down as it goes down the track?

Hi Kelley,
In answer to your question: "So now who is going to build the hidden motor...?" It is obvious that we will have to employ the hobbits of Middle Earth because only their tiny fingers can weave the windings of the motors. Or perhaps we can capture some energetic little beetles and chain them onto a treadmill under the deck. The choice is yours...

Have fun!
Reynard

Reynard, Actually, Loren and Karin seem to have a possible answer to how to make this handcar run. Magnets and a chain drive. Don't look at me! I just guessing here. As for the handles while running, we may have to wait for the $100,000 model. Cheers, Jim CCRR:woohoo:

There is another way to make it go under its own power, but it will require putting a small integrated circuit somewhere on the underbelly or something like that:blink: ....If you're interested, Reynard, feel free to email me. I've been looking into something like this.

Hey Jim, I have tried several prototypes for the N scale Handcar involving a cam to wheel axle setup. Plenty of ideas but execution requires a master jeweler to put together just for the attempt, which I am not. My HO scale customers may see an operating version before even the N scale one is accomplished. Naturally an operating handcar will also be something the O scalers will see over the coming year, hopefully before the world ends in 2012:blink:

The IC version makes sense. But it is far more important that any of our track manufacturers look into making something like that for actuating Z turnouts than for us to be solving the handcar problem. Anyone getting tired of gigantic lumpy solenoids ?
It's an issue that never dies. Comes back to the forums over and over again.