Ztrains: 2010 Coffee Break Topics

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2010 Coffee Break Topics
Beginning in January 2007 Ztrains began the weekly Coffee Break column to highlight various products, websites and stories that we think may be of interest to the Z community. Pour a cup of coffee and join us each week as we visit with a new idea in Z scale (1:220) model railroading. If you should find a non-working link on this page, please let us know.

2010 Coffee Break

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2009 Coffee Break

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2008 Coffee Break

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2007 Coffee Break

January 4, 2010
We want to hear from you. What is it you'd like to see on these Ztrains pages?
In 2009 we added the Z Scale Basics series of articles, sponsored by Micro-Trains® Line, and it's proven to be a very popular feature. So what do you want to see in 2010 here at Ztrains?: Make A Ztrains.com Suggestion

January 25, 2009
Here is some great modeling in HO scale. From the use of all scale lighting (no overhead ambient lighting) to giving this Brooklyn, NY scene a "wet" rainy look, this is some terrific work: Visit Brooklyn At 3:00 AM

February 1, 2010
The Tenshodo company of Japan is producing a new steam engines aimed at the Japanese market but with some great possibilities for all Z scale markets: Tenshodo Mikado Locomotive

February 22, 2010
From the French manufacturer GH comes a RTR, SW-1 locomotive built on a modified Micro-Trains® Geep chassis: Gerard Huest, RTR, SW-1 Locomotive

March 8, 2010
For those interested in buying and building your own Zthek SW-1 switcher, here are the instructions in the PDF format: Click To Open This Zthek PDF

March 15, 2010
The McKenzie Brothers Timber Co. produces a tree making machine that looks both very straight forward as well as solidly constructed: Tree Making Machine

March 22, 2010
Scratchbuilding in Z is tough enough... here are some Micron-Art brass ladders to help you with your work: Micron-Art Scratch Supplies

March 28, 2010
RSLaser has just introduced their new cape house and matching garage: RSLaser

April 4, 2010
The Craft-S company of Japan has an interesting chassis that may be of use to us in Z scale: Craft-S

April 12, 2010
Dimitri Dementev of Brooklyn, NY is creating some really nice Z scale vehicles in pewter, I'll be using some of these in upcoming projects: Dimitri Dementev

April 18, 2010
As Dimitri Dementev (see above) was just gettng his new website in order, we wanted to feature his Z vehicles in the Coffee Break for a second week: Dimitri Dementev

April 26, 2010
Full Throttle has been offering rolling stock to the Z scale community for nearly 10 years now and we're glad to see Full Throttle's owner, "Uncle Will", now has a website to show his line: Full Throttle

May 3, 2010
Micron Art has re-released two of their popular Z scale models, the Jaxon Bean Mercantile building. and the Two Stall Engine House: Full Throttle

May 10, 2010
Have a look at the wide variety of crossing signs and crossing signals and just how much they add to even the most basic grade crossing: Mike's RR Crossings

May 16, 2010
Lajos Thek is focusing on his Z scale engineering and his love of American logging related themes: Lajos Thek

June 1, 2010
220dasjournal, the online German website now has a new look. Language is German: 220dasjournal

June 6, 2010
A step-by-step article detailing the construction of the brand new Lütke Modellbahn refreshment stand: 220dasjournal

June 14, 2010
A look at some of our own Ztrains scenery this week: 220dasjournal

July 4, 2010
In Z scale we tend not to build a lot of shelf layouts. Saving space aside these layouts offer unique modeling opportunities, here's a basic example: Basic Shelf Layout

July 19, 2010
I ran this topic for a couple of weeks as I found this circular layout to be incredibly cool. It's in HO and I can only imagine how amazing it would be in Z: Circular HO Layout

July 25, 2010
This is simply a link to a Wikipedia page featuring locos by Whitcomb / Baldwin. I'm really very taken by the old loco stories: Circular HO Layout

August 2, 2010
A few looks at some very good urban model railroading: Railroad Slums

Monday, August 9, 2010

Elevated or “EL” Model Railroading

I received an email from a reader who attended the recent train show in Milwaukee, WI., and they told me about a new company called:
Imagine That, Laser Art Productions.

This new company is producing laser cut “EL”, or elevated train kits and components for several scales. I wrote to them and asked about the possibility of working in Z scale and was told that this may be in the future works for Z. Check out their site and maybe drop them an email if you'd be interested in this decidedly cool idea.

Coffee Break Archives