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Monday, February 1, 2010
Z, N, HO... So Many Avenues
As I look at the upcoming year (I know, it's already February!) I find myself in need of some very specific plans for both Ztrains.com and for myself. Over the past several years we've partnered with some great companies here at Ztrains and we look to do more of this in the future. One interesting thing that's popped up recently are the requests from folks in other scales, N and HO primarily, to produce gypsum and resin scenic accessories for these scales.
As a result of these requests we're making an initial list of pieces to produce for these scales. Honestly I never realized so many N and HO people visited the Ztrains.com pages but it's become very clear they do.
Our online store will present pieces for all scales and we're now ordering some of the basic store supplies we'll need. We're once again going to be testing new gypsums and resins to see what kind of improvements have been made recently... we do this about once a year. You'd think gypsum is gypsum but you'd actually be surprised at some of the newer formulations out there. We go through some pretty extensive testing here to insure these accessories are of the highest quality.
The pieces we design and build have been, and will be, highly detailed and of a very fine quality. Anything short of this commitment to the work doesn't serve anyone or any purpose. As a result our pieces are a bit more expensive than other accessories but they are pieces we're proud of and pieces you'll be proud to use on your scale empire. Watch for our store opening and if you have any specific requests... let us know!
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January 6, 2010
New Z Scale Basics Article: The Co-Op Shed Build
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Click to read this new article
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Usually we write a full article, take all the photos, edit it down and present it to you. This time however we're doing things a bit more "live".
We're building a small scene, just 8" x 8" (without the base) and we're doing it in a bit of a blog-style. We'll have two or three new entries each week with a short description and photos. We're doing the new article this way because I've received several requests about my scenery methods. I thought this would be a good way to illustrate my own techniques.
I firmly believe there is no right or wrong way to create scenery so this isn't a definitive "how-to", it's simply a look at the way I work. If you see an idea or two along the way that you like... file it away for your own future use.
Stop back during the week to check to see the progress. This completed scene will be one of the raffle prizes at the upcoming National Z Scale Convention hosted by Micro-Trains® Line.
Let's Go To The Co-Op Build
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 February 1, 2010 Here's The February Desktop Wallpaper From AZL. We invite you to use this image, taken by Rob Kluz of Ztrack Magazine, as your new desktop wallpaper. Featuring AZL's SD70 diesel locomotive in the UP "Flag" paint scheme, this wallpaper is sure to perk up your desktop. On To The Wallpaper Page |
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 January 1, 2010 We'll Be Busy Today Here I though I was all ready for 2010... I'm going to be working all day here at Ztrains to get our new features and our new Basics article online. Check back during the day for new 2010 wild and fantastic futuristic stuff (well, not really futuristic). |
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Japanese Steam In Z
Here's a DCC test on a Tenshodo, D51 Japanese Mikado locomotive. At a price of roughly $110.00 US, this is pretty exciting. This is the first large Z steam engine anywhere near this price. Now we just need a US distributor to have these locos flowing here in the US.
We could also use a US styled steamer too... but one step at a time.
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Monday, February 1, 2010 Affordable Steam In Z Scale?  If So, This Should Be Popular... To me there have been 2 things missing in Z scale, reasonably priced steam engines and a short diesel switcher. It looks like we might have one of these licked... kind of. The Tenshodo company of Japan is producing some interesting Japanese based Z scale steam engines (see YouTube video on our homepage). With some clever shell casting, could this become the new US steamer? This engine, as well as others in the line, will soon be available here in the US at Ztrack Center. Coffee Break Archives |
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