Ztrains: Z Scale Basics: MTL Expansion Set

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Let's Start With A Simple Track Plan

We'll begin with a 2' x 3' layout and the Micro-Train® Line Expansion Set (#990 40 102). Although called the Expansion Set this track package can work nicely as the basis for a simple standalone layout, with the ability to create two slightly different variations on the same track plan.

Show Me The Graphics

Show Me The Track Only

How We'll Present The Layouts
In order to keep things clear and easy to visualize we'll try and present our track plans on a single page whenever possible. Each one of these plans will allow you to see a layout with very basic scenery by clicking the "Show Me The Graphics". You can see the same plan with no scenery but with all the track sections clearly marked by clicking on the "Show Me The Track Only".

In addition we'll also provide a table (see below) that will list all the track pieces needed for that particular track plan. With the two plans shown on this page, the track pieces listed below are all included in the MTL Expansion Set.

Qty	Track Description	Micro-Track Part #
1	110mm straight track	990 40 902
1	110mm feeder track w/ wire	990 40 905
1	Left manual turnout	990 40 910
1	Right manual turnout	990 40 911
1	110mm straight track, notched for left turnout	Included with turnout
1	110mm straight track notched for right turnout	Included with turnout
8	195mm radius / 45° curved track	990 40 903
4	220mm radius / 45° curved track	990 40 913
2	490mm radius / 13° curved track	990 40 912, Included with turnout

Red Dots, Red Dots...
In these plans we've placed red dots where there are track joints. We've chosen to highlight the track joints because in future plans we'll be showing simple block wiring in our plans and these track blocks will have different colored dots at the track joints for easy recognition.

Show Me The Graphics

Show Me The Track Only

Track Plans... An Interesting Size
The classic size to build a first model train layout has been the long time favorite... the 4' x 8' sheet of plywood. In the larger scales this makes sense as 4' x 8' gives you room to work, run some trains and add scenery while still being a fairly manageable size, relatively speaking. In addition the 4' x 8' size in the larger scales lets you get trains up and running quickly.

We're going to take that 4' x 8' favorite and adjust it for our scale... Z scale. This means our Z Scale Basics initial layouts are going to be 2' x 3' which is the same as a 4' x 8' layout in HO. This is a good size layout to begin with as it will allow you to get a feel for Z scale without getting overwhelmed by a big layout. Also by working on a modest sized layout at first you can easily make changes and try new techniques such as block wiring, coupling and uncoupling, etc.