Locos We Need In Z Scale
The 2012 National Z Scale Convention wrapped up last weekend in Denver, Colorado, and I think lots of folks are now wondering… when do we get some of the Z scale goodies that were announced? Without going over every new product that the major manufacturers showed off or spoke about, I have to admit there are two items in particular that got me going: AZL’s Mikado steam locomotive and MTL’s SW1500 diesel switcher.
I think these two locomotives could increase the number of folks involved in Z scale dramatically, as they address two glaring gaps in the Z scale world. Let’s start with the Mikado, our choices for years in Z scale were Marklin’s Pacific or Mikado as far as North American steam. Both very nice models (I have several Marklin Pacifics I wouldn’t part with!) but they’ve basically remained unchanged since the 1970s. It’s 2012 and simply put, we need better moderately priced steam in Z scale. If these AZL Mikados run as well as the Tenshodo Japanese-style locomotives, I think we’ll be seeing lots of new users in Z.
I don’t know of any official stats or studies, but in model railroading I think people are strongly drawn to steam locomotives. Maybe it’s no more mysterious than seeing the side rod mechanisms come to life and move the massive driving wheels forward, maybe the appeal of steam is the part they played in history. In any case, model railroaders love steam and I think the AZL Mikado will be a big hit.
The announced MTL SW1500 diesel switcher addresses a different but no less important Z scale need, SWITCHERS! Today most Z scalers are using either AZL or MTL Geeps for switching duties. This works well but it would be nice to have a dedicated yard switcher on every layout (though the SW1500 can also operate as road switcher!).
There’s an appeal to switchers in Z scale that’s much less technical though, their size! Although we’re seeing larger and larger layouts in Z scale, many people still build small Z scale layouts. In addition, we’re also at a point when we’re seeing more talk of dedicated Z scale switching layouts. A smaller diesel would be perfect in these situations. The MTL SW1500 would be a much-needed addition.
Another thought on the MTL SW1500, and again I don’t know how this fits in to the big Z picture, but here goes. Prior to the MTL GP35 and the diesels that have followed from MTL and AZL, Marklin was the source for Z scale. It seems no matter what country or era a person modeled, they always had several Marklin 8800 steam switchers in their collections. Marklin did an amazing job of marketing these little switchers, bundling them in specialty and novelty packaging: Christmas, Easter, Halloween, beach themes, etc. People collected these little beauties like baseball cards!
Times have of course changed since the heyday of the Marklin 8800, but I think the pull to own a handful of cool little switchers will remain, maybe more so now as these new switchers will be truly at home on North American layouts.
The fun thing about what’s coming to Z scale… these are just two of the new products talked about at the 2012 Z National Z Scale Convention!
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Hi John,
I fully agree with you upon the switcher. Although my Zthek SW1 WP503 runs fairly well now with a 5 poler (if wheels and track are cleaned), I still would love to see a small switcher, which runs comparable to the MTL and AZL geeps for my small layout. …and it must have the Magne-matic style knuckle coupler.
Regards, Frank
Hi Frank,
I know the switcher is a little way off in terms of a release date, but just knowing we’ll get one in Z should be enough to get folks thinking about building yards in to their layouts. As the switcher is from MTL, we know it will have the Magne-matic couplers and even more important, will run well. I’m genuinely excited by this upcoming loco!
John
Ztrains
I think the switcher will be great for those with BIG layouts or modules, that have yards that need cars put together, will be good for those with pizza box and suitcase layouts, as it should navigate those sharp curves and have that “cute” factor, and be good for those guys with shelf layouts that just want to spot boxcars around loading docks and buildings. Win/win/win.
If you have a big city train station you can have the switcher moving and turning those passenger cars around.
I am doing the CB&Q in southern Illinois and all the switching was done by road engines like GP7s and SD7s. Still I am glad that these engines are coming out as it might draw more people into Z, and than means more Z stuff in the future.
One more note. On the Q´s lines west, there were a lot of wooden trestles and a lot of the roads were serviced by light steam engines. When then steam died off, the only engines small enough to replace them were the small switchers. You could have one used as a road engine, pulling a couple boxcars, a few tank cars and a caboose or even a combine mail car, and be 100 percent authentic.
That’s a great point about using these small switchers where light steam was previously used. I think once these arrive in Z we’ll be seeing some interesting prototypical uses for them.
This is going to be a release that almost every layout could use, as you said… win/win/win!
John
Ztrains
Without a doubt the steamer will get people excited about Z. Based of the photos of the prototype model these will look excellent. While Marklin steamers are indeed reliable and good soldiers for sure, the lack of detail and tender pickup will make these trophy queens.
Also the switcher will make a nice addition. If the proportions are done correctly, this will be a hit.
Joe,
I agree the Marklin steamers, specifically the two North American models (Mikado, Pacific) are good pieces but it’s been far too long since we’ve seen new steam in Z… 20, 30 years? Not a good way to keep, or to bring in new, Z scale users. I’m incredibly anxious to get my hands on the new AZL Mikado!
I think the same argument can be made for the MTL switcher. To me the lack of a good switcher has been a glaring gap in Z scale, and I’m really happy to see MTL address this need.
To say I’m excited over these releases is a whopping understatement!
John
Ztrains
Good Morning, John.
That is great news about a future switcher being released by MTL. I can’t wait to see them. I have made an attempt at turning a Marklin DB switcher into a GE 55 ton yard switcher with mixed results. The Marklin couplers detract from anything positive that I may have done. I know MTL makes all sorts of replacement couplers but I have never had the nerve to try and actually convert one for fear of destroying the loco for good. Is there anybody out there that does coupler conversions? If you know of anybody that is reliable in this field I’d appreciate knowing how to contact him.
I hope you are well. I have finally settled into my new home (Where is everything??!!) I am in eye shot and earshot of the Mattapan high-speed trolley as it makes its last stop at Cedar Grove on its way to connect to the Red Line at Ashmont station. These trolleys are completely restored PCC’s that have been totally re-outfitted and painted in the old MTA colors of orange and cream with original MTA logo. The line traverses the Neponset River thru parts of Dorchester and Milton on its way to Mattapan station.
If you are ever in Boston, I’ll give you a tour. Take care, Jim in Boston.
Hi Jim,
Glad to hear you’re settled in the new place now. You mentioned the Mattapan trolley, for those who aren’t familiar with it, here’s a short video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUE9WVjHuyo&feature=related
I lived in Boston for a little over a year and have to admit, I didn’t know it existed! Beautiful old cars.
You’re not alone in trying to make a US switcher from a Marklin chassis. A cool project for sure, but I’m ready to see a RTR solution.
On trying for an MTL coupler solution on a Marklin switcher, the only names that pop up right away are Glenn and Sandy Stiska down in Florida. They’re generally known as magicians when it comes to Marklin repair work, drop them a line to see if they can help.
http://web.mac.com/stiska/ztrains/For_Sale.html
I’ll be in touch about your Waterfront buildings from MTL. I’d really like to do an article on your builds!
John
Ztrains
Thanks for posting the video of the Mattapan high speed trolley. It has certainly gotten quite a response.
A brief history. The Mattapan line was, until 1926 a branch of the Old Colony RR. It is the oldest trolley line in the system. When modernization was undertaken several years ago the PCC’s were replaced by surface buses and those of us that loved them worried that they would never return. There was a time not so long ago that you could always get a seat as they were sparsely used. Gentrification of the Lower Mills area has led to a rediscovery of this historic relic. If you are worried about falling down when they are moving there is still bus service that will take you to Ashmont station not nearly the same or as enjoyable. The line is an extension of the red line subway to Ashmont Station in Dorchester. From here it meanders thru the most beautiful scenery that any urban transit system traverses.
The line has an entry in Ripley’s “Believe it or Not” as it is the only trolley line in the world (yes, the world) that travels thru a cemetery. That would be Cedar Grove cemetery. Cedar Grove is the last inbound stop (where I live) before terminating at Ashmont station to connect with the redline subway to Alewife station in Cambridge, Mass. As one can see from the video, the scenery is very rural in nature as it follows the Neponset River thru Dorchester and Milton.
For railfans there are many artifacts from its heyday as a manufacturing center. The main industry for almost 200 years was the Baker Chocolate Factory, now condos and where I lived for 27 years until moving down the street last month. There are still some abandoned sidings for the long-gone Godfrey’s coal and lumber co. The Neponset River was the home to several lumber and coal businesses until the 50′s and early 60′s. Since the 90′s, the rails have been taken up and converted into bike trails which has been great for the neighborhood. One can walk from Central avenue in Milton all the way to the old Neponset drive-in site, that is now Pope John Paul park. This is a very historic and culturally relevant area and if the MBTA had real vision it would be touted as a living history of Boston’s rail history. If anybody has any additional questions or responses please feel free to contact me.
I am Jim In Dorchester. jsantagati@hotmail.com. I love to share what I know about this little treasure in out midst.
2012 Mikado? Wasn’t it shown first in 2011?
It probably was Chris but that’s pretty normal, pre-production models are shown well before they’re finalized and released.
John
Ztrains
From my point of view we need more locos in the price range of AZL’s excellent running GP38-2. AZL already has everything except for the shell itself to do the GP40/40-2 and the GP50.
The pricing in Z makes me think that companies don’t want younger folks who can not afford to pay $175 and up for locos or $30+ for rolling stock.
Sometimes I wonder if I am the only person in Z that wants to see it grow.