Saturday, July 02, 2022

Welcome to Z Central Station

11,000+ Forum postings

10,900+ Gallery Images

320+ Download Library

Free Membership

220% Pure Z

Online Chat

Free Container models

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

Wild, Wild West (Jim<br />West) Loco
  • Wild, Wild West (Jim
    West) Loco
  • Hits: 635
Wild, Wild West (Jim<br />West) Train
  • Wild, Wild West (Jim
    West) Train
  • Hits: 903
Wild, Wild West (Jim<br />West) Train
  • Wild, Wild West (Jim
    West) Train
  • Hits: 877
Z Maker Alco S-2
  • Z Maker Alco S-2
  • Hits: 1499
Jim's Layout
  • Jim's Layout
  • Hits: 2307
Last few month's<br />projects
  • Last few month's
    projects
  • Hits: 2558
Last few month's<br />projects
  • Last few month's
    projects
  • Hits: 2527
Soo Line switcher on<br />T Trak Z module
  • Soo Line switcher on
    T Trak Z module
  • Hits: 3617
Soo Line switcher on<br />T Trak Z module
  • Soo Line switcher on
    T Trak Z module
  • Hits: 3541
T.R.R.A. Z Maker<br />Advanced SW1500
  • T.R.R.A. Z Maker
    Advanced SW1500
  • Hits: 4194
Stony's Brass<br />Switcher, L.G.Thek's<br />Power Unit.
  • Stony's Brass
    Switcher, L.G.Thek's
    Power Unit.
  • Hits: 4696
Ebay western<br />building laser kits
  • Ebay western
    building laser kits
  • Hits: 4967

Easy Blog Showcase

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
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-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
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
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
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

Random Modeling Tip

using N scale decals for Z
24 Apr 2017 22:32 - John K

Unless you go the customized route for decals, you can purchase N scale decals to help decal your rolling stock, bridges, buildings, or locomotives. I usually find my N scale decals at train shows. There is always someone clearing out their N scale decals of what they have left or will never use.

General

Online Members

No members online

Users in Chat

Users online
Registered:
Guests:

New Members

CuriousDroid
Trevor757
DAJones
jasonalles

gateway 2022 logo

bill k 2 a

 rrnamegen 50

nmpp1 50

google play

apple store

zcsarticles 50

2010nzsc 50

2012nzsc 50

ZCS Shoutbox

southernnscale - Fri 1 Jul - 22:20

can't upload photos!

southernnscale - Fri 1 Jul - 22:19

soon Happy 4th of July! :D

rvn2001 - Sun 19 Jun - 10:12

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! to all of you fathers out there...

rvn2001 - Sat 1 Jan - 01:07

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY !!!

rvn2001 - Sat 25 Dec - 05:21

!! MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

stonysmith - Mon 6 Sep - 22:00

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 - 11:42

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

rvn2001 - Fri 16 Apr - 07:43

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

rvn2001 - Sun 4 Apr - 10:16

Hoppy Easter everybody !!

Vern1952 - Thu 25 Mar - 21:36

Thanks Thom!

rvn2001 - Wed 17 Mar - 18:10

Vern, I like your switchers!

rvn2001 - Wed 17 Mar - 18:09

Yes, Mike.

GNFan - Sun 14 Mar - 13:01

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

rvn2001 - Sun 14 Mar - 10:14

Happy PI Day

rvn2001 - Fri 1 Jan - 01:46

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

rvn2001 - Fri 25 Dec - 06:14

HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Jarnett13 - Wed 23 Dec - 21:39

Question about Rokuhan over and under track planhttps://www.rokuhan.com/layout/#What grade do you think this is and will my AZL have any problems?These will be very short trainsThanksJim

stonysmith - Thu 26 Nov - 22:57

Happy Thanksgiving!

rvn2001 - Fri 17 Jul - 21:04

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0u2caFA7Z0&feature=youtu.be

southernnscale - Mon 6 Apr - 01:53

Hope all is keeping safe! Take care!

Jarnett13 - Thu 30 Jan - 21:17

The link to the Nickel Plate Historical site is not good

ZFRANK - Wed 1 Jan - 07:18

Happy 2020!

rvn2001 - Wed 1 Jan - 01:10

HAPPY NEW YEAR Everybody !!!

stonysmith - Tue 31 Dec - 22:15

Happy New Year!

rvn2001 - Wed 25 Dec - 11:01

MERRY CHRISTMAS Everyone !!

The shoutbox is unavailable to non-members

New Product Posts

  • No posts to display.

Latest Forum Posts

Buy/Sell/Trade

  • No posts to display.

ZCS Free Page

zcs free door

Featured Z Videos

Random Articles

Kelley's Z Blog
27 Dec 2010 11:16 - Kelley Wright
Kelley's Z Blog

     Today I will start my Z blog.  At this time I am working on a  1/220 scale WW2 POW camp, just like on an old tv series [ ... ]

MyBlogRead more...
Walthers Magic of Model Railroading Contest 2011
07 Feb 2012 21:53 - John Kellett

Yes!  You could win $250 for 1st Place,  $100 for 2nd Place, or $75 for 3rd Place in the Walthers Magic of Model Railroading Contest.  Photos [ ... ]

InterviewsRead more...
Hopper Weathering Clinic
08 Feb 2012 13:17 - William Mock
Hopper Weathering Clinic

Hopper Weathering Clinic
By Bill Mock
December 2009

Here is the first stages of weathering of my new BN [ ... ]

InstructionalsRead more...
N Scale Ships
stony smith shapeways
Ztrack
40% off closing sale
Walter Smith Shapeways
Banner
PayPal
z friends europe
Z Freunde International
trainini