Just for Fun

Fred, I would love a tour of your house someday. Nice you let your wife live in the garage. Jim 8)

I want to know if Fred actually has a Z scale layout or is everything we see just parts of dioramas? I would like to see some of Fred's scenery as I'm sure he could make some good looking stuff. What say Fred?

Or maybe Fred's camera trickery with his giant penny is so good that all his stuff is really HO scale.

John

Thanks guys- Jim you are welcome anytime your are in these neck of the woods. Just give me a little lead time so I can clear a pathway. And lock up the catts.
Loren- You too- when you get back down to earth. (from Mars, ) Yes I have a couple of Z layouts- and working on two end modules so I can run 7 trains on 4x10 set of three.-- Also some N "Train Gardens" ( As Dragonlady calls them). And the floor looks good for HO and O. LGB has been banished from the back 40 by Higher powers.
And yes- a lot of fotos are cobbled together. I've been exploring the "Black Hole".
And John- I also use Mirrors--"looking glasses" to some.

Something to ponder.....




First- Appologies for drawing- I'm not up on computer skills.

I have always been impressed with John Allen's work. Some of his layout goes from table height all the way down to the floor. I tried this with my first Z layout coffee table- then expanded around the room before being kicked out of the den and became a celler dweller. That's OK- More Room!!
Many Zer's use the ZBend modular system- but the below thoughts could be used for almost any layout.

1. "Wings" ( for lack of a better word) can be any width-- 3" upwards of 12"- I have used both. It adds a lot more sceniced area.
2. Wings are removable so basic module width remains the same for transporting, plus they don't take up much room.
3.Just like skyboards- the drop downs and wings Keeps the viewer's eyes on the trains and not distracted by non module stuff.
4. If trains get derailed they will fall safely on the wings and not on cement floor.
5. Added challenge for modeler and space for interesting scenes.
6. Little hands are kept that much further away from operating trains.
7. Drop downs allows the possibility for an additional train to be run on a lower level.
8. Wings makes the trains run through and not just around scenery.
9. Wings can be used for the home layout as well as displaying at shows if next module is compatable as it does not extend beyond 3'.
10. Drop downs allows for dramatic valleys, and water falls. And adds another demention to the FLAT terrain at the module face.

Detractors- Skirt modification might be required- and you will need longer arms.
Open for comments....... Thanks
Fred

Hi Fred,

Z-bend Track modules can be any width and length and shape as long as there's a 24" wide interface to join to other modules with the tracks set at 9" and 10" from the center of the interface. My yard module, for example, is 30" wide and 5+1/2' long. I chose to put the interface to one side but it could have been in the center or anywhere else. This option allows for scenery tracks on the inside and/or outside of the main lines. I like the wing idea, however, if storage or transportation space is an issue.

Thom

Possible drawback Fred would be the possibility of the scenery on the wings getting damaged in transport. Transport of ZBT modules remains the #1 issue for many modeler who likes to attend train shows.

Working hard to apply detail only to see it get 'bumped' off while moving is always a major bummer, and never mind the fact that the little roaming hands have yet to make their attack during the shows.

That's in the category of "Oh, my! What could *possibly* go wrong?". (Duh!)

What? This happened on my railroad last month! I thought is was part of the 'game.' Jim

It is the prototypical version of Gomez Addams' practice of directing two trains at one another on his model layout - without blowing up the bridge on which they would collide just before they do so. That's what makes it doubly-crazy. On "The Addams Family", it was a joke; this was "for real"!

GNFan wrote: On "The Addams Family", it was a joke; this was "for real"!

Yea, but on the Addams Family it was cooler...



BTW, The train-crash sequence, in which the model trains collide and explode, was shot once, and that footage was used every time Gomez wrecked model trains.

I SO want to ride the Surfliner....

Karin, if you can shrink yourself to z scale, you are welcome to ride on my Surfliner.

Karin, The Surfliner begins or ends here in San Diego depending on your point of view. Always room for guests here as well if your serious about the trip. Jim

Well it's my Birthday today so if I may, I will post this present to you all. I know some folks like a different wallpaper on their computer screens from time to time. Maybe this will help. Jim

Happy birthday Jim!!! More magazines on the way soon.

Yours,

John

Jim,
That is such outstanding scenery and photography. So very well done my friend.

And happy birthday to you. Wish I was there to take you to dinner.

Keep up the excellent work. You are an inspiration to so many.