New to Z.

Hello, all.
I'm new to Z scale, but not to modeling. Been in N scale for a long time now, but I`m working on a coffee table Z scale.
I work for CP Rail as a track maintainer, as well as a vintage steam locomotive.
My era for the layout with be late 50`s Pennsylvania.
Got the track and switches coming to me. Still hunting around for a GP7.

Mike.

Welcome Mike!

Always nice to have another convert to our "little" scale.

Mike,

Welcome to Z! You picked a great railroad for Z. The PRR has a long history of rolling stock released in Z for it. MTL has offer a number of boxcars, gondolas, tank cars and cabooses over the years. Full Throttle and Pennzee have offered hoppers. The Pennzee hoppers are hard to find, and go quickly on the 2nd hand market. I personally am a big fan of the Full Throttle two-bays.

American Z Line is offering PRR GP7s. It includes the radio antennas that were so common on PRR equipment during that time. Three road numbers are available. You can get them through any AZL dealer. Here is more information:

www.americanzline.com/locomotives/gp7/

Rob

Cool!

Grew up in Pittsburgh -- PRR was 1st choice.

Live in Minneapolis; so I did GN.

Please post your track plan.

Here's a thread about my coffee table layout: www.zcentralstation.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=2&id=12928&Itemid=212#12950 .

What part of Pittsburgh? I am from Sewickley! My parents are still there. That is why I have an affection for the Western PA roads. My grandfather actually worked for the PRR. I still have his original 1 share of PRR stock he had. It is a beautiful certificate.

Rob

Penn Hills; my Dad was raised in Swissville and worked for the "Switch".

GP7s are a great first choice... they are the most detailed out of the box and they run well. Might be subjective, but mine are also consistent enough to MU without DCC.

You could even go electric if you wanted; GG1s aren't too hard to come by, also run great (better with some added weight, which there's lots of space for), and available in Tuscan or Brunswick 5-stripe.

My go-to shopping sites for Z are zscale monster and ztrack resale.[/u] All three GP7 road #s are available from either site. The proprietor at zscale monster is also a Pennsy fan and has in the past released several special runs of rolling stock. Ztrack resale is where you've got the best chance of finding OOP stuff (without resorting to eBay) and stuff is usually priced according to condition instead of rarity.

Would need to be a Starbuck's coffee table to run GG1s!

My Pacific just barely negotiates the smaller curves and hill.

But I love GG1s!

Hey Mike cool another convert. PRR nice can't wait to see what you end up building

subwayaz wrote: Hey Mike cool another convert. PRR nice can't wait to see what you end up building

Just a small coffee table layout, but it will have a pair of sidings and lots of scenery for sure.
Good to see you here, Glen!

Hirailtruck wrote:

subwayaz wrote: Hey Mike cool another convert. PRR nice can't wait to see what you end up building

Just a small coffee table layout, but it will have a pair of sidings and lots of scenery for sure.
Good to see you here, Glen!

Likewise Mike nice to catch up with you on another venue. My layout is going to be smaller than that. I want to fit it into a suitcase. somewhere at 12" x 16". I'm about to start here soon. Hope things turn out great.
Let me know when you post pics of your progress.
Merry Christmas my Friend

Glen
Hey Bro it's "SP" for me as usual...

subwayaz wrote:

Hirailtruck wrote:

subwayaz wrote: Hey Mike cool another convert. PRR nice can't wait to see what you end up building

Just a small coffee table layout, but it will have a pair of sidings and lots of scenery for sure.
Good to see you here, Glen!

Likewise Mike nice to catch up with you on another venue. My layout is going to be smaller than that. I want to fit it into a suitcase. somewhere at 12" x 16". I'm about to start here soon. Hope things turn out great.
Let me know when you post pics of your progress.
Merry Christmas my Friend

Glen
Hey Bro it's "SP" for me as usual...

The coffee table is 48" by 24". As I do modern CP Rail in N scale, I decided to do something different. 1 train for now, but with the 2 sidings, I'll eventually have a second train running. Pennsylvania, and a New York Central.

Nice can't wait to see it. Keep em rollin Mike