Dan Becker's Model Trains - Z Scale Prototype

Prototype track overview
Prototype track overview
Welcome to a new series of articles on building a Z Scale train layout.

Recently I got interested in the very compact Z scale trains. Z scale is 1/220th the size of the real world. The engines are 50 to 75 mm long. A human being is about 8mm tall. N scale humans are about 11mm tall and HO scale humans are about 20mm tall. I did not really want to invest in a new train layout, but the compact and portable size of Z scale got me excited.

In the photo, you will see a small prototype layout set up on a kitchen island which measures about 4 feet (1.2 meters) by 2 1/2 feet (0.7 meters). As you can see, you can have an oval, switches and a branch line in a very small space.

The blue Mopac GP9 engine and two cars are from American Z Lines (AZL) trains. The track is from Micro Trains Line and consists of the expansion loop and a few stretches of 220mm straights. The power supply is an analog Model Rectifier Corp (MRC) transformer with throttle.

Side view of Z scale train
Side view of Z scale train
As you can see from the American Quarter Dollar coin in the photo, the Z scale train engine and cars are quite small. However, they have lots of detail such as hand rails, realistic trucks, and working lights. The paint and the logos are awesome.

The buildings are paper models from Scale Model Plans. At this scale, the buildings look great and the printing gives them lots of three-dimensional character.

AnyRail 6 plan for track
AnyRail 6 plan for track
After running a few loops, I knew I wanted to create a bigger more detailed set. I made this original Z scale layout diagram on AnyRail 6 software. The overall table size is four by three feet with one square foot boxes shown in the diagram. The layout is made from the library of track available from Micro Trains Line. Almost all of this layout is from stock pieces, with a few pieces of flex track, one shown in red which makes a long curving bridge over two other tracks.

The software allows you to model elevations and helps you calculate inclines. I have marked the incline ramps in tan color. Risers (elevated sections with no slope) are shown in green color. Additionally bridge supports and tunnel portals are shown in dark gray.

AnyRail 6 3D view of track layout
AnyRail 6 3D view of track layout
Another feature of the AnyRail 6 software is you can view your layout in three dimensions. This give you a good idea of your incline grades and how high your track is from the table top. Additionally the software lets you spin the model about and view it from any direction or height.

Some train enthusiasts like yards and switching, but I very much like long and loopy runs. This layout has a big outer loop, and a longer inner loop which doubles up goes round. Feel free to use my AnyRail layout file and make your own Z scale plans.

Incline test on prototype layout
Incline test on prototype layout
In order to test this layout, I took my prototype track, and tested it with some styrofoam incline ramps. I needed to make sure that the ramps could lift one train over another, yet not be too steep for a large train to climb.

This is essentially the same layout before with some styrofoam ramps from Woodland Scenics who makes an extensive line of train subterrain and scenery.

Up the ramp and over the box car
Up the ramp and over the box car
These ramps are a 2 percent incline which raises the track 1/2 inch over a 4 foot length. That was too shallow to do in such a small layout, so I doubled the incline my using two 2% ramps. I needed roughly an inch and a half to get over that boxcar sitting on its elevated track section. This makes a 4% ramp which is about the steepest ramp you want to have on a model train layout.

I found my small train had no trouble with the 4% grade, so I went back to my plan and adjusted all my ramps and elevations.

Incline test of prototype layout
Incline test of prototype layout
I am glad I ran this test. It showed me that I need steeper ramps and shorter ramp lengths. It also showed how these tiny Z scale engines can pull some weight up the incline. As a bonus for your enjoyment, here is a short video showing the train flying up and over the hill.

Other articles in the scale train series include:

Thanks for reading my articles. More train layout photos and articles will be posted in the near future.