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Desktop Layout | Milwaukee Road 1

Desktop Layout | Milwaukee Road 1

Our first desktop layout is clearly a desert-themed operation so I wanted to go in a very different direction on this second layout. With the recent release of the AZL Milwaukee Road GP38-2, Rob Kluz over at Ztrack Magazine suggested I do a Milwaukee Road layout. Not a bad choice at all when you consider […]

October 24, 2012 0 Comments More
Waterfront Project | Turnout Build 1

Waterfront Project | Turnout Build 1

This weekend I began working on the turnouts for the Waterfront Project using the #8 Fast Tracks turnout fixture and Code 55 unweathered rail, a good match for Micro-Trains Line flex track. I had always referred to these Fast Tracks tools incorrectly as jigs. A quick definition of jigs vs. fixtures: a jig is a […]

October 22, 2012 0 Comments More
Waterfront Project | Fast Tracks Turnouts

Waterfront Project | Fast Tracks Turnouts

This week should be fun, as I’ll be building the turnouts for the Waterfront Project layout. I’ll be using what I feel is the best combination of Z scale track and turnouts, Micro-Trains flex track and Fast Tracks turnouts. Yes, the Fast Tracks turnouts do require a bit more work than an out-of-the-package turnout, but […]

October 15, 2012 0 Comments More
OnDrew Hartigan | Model Railroad Benchwork

OnDrew Hartigan | Model Railroad Benchwork

If you’re building a small switching layout or a full modular model railroad layout, it just makes sense to build it on a high quality foundation.

October 11, 2012 0 Comments More
The LHS | Local Hobby Store

The LHS | Local Hobby Store

In the not too distant past, the local hobby store (LHS) was the go-to place for model railroading supplies. You could see new products in person, ideally talk to other model train enthusiasts and generally begin or reinforce the feeling of your model rail community. Then came the fairly sophisticated options of eBay, warehouse hobby […]

October 8, 2012 0 Comments More
Desktop Layout | Red Rock 1

Desktop Layout | Red Rock 1

Following the last article in the Ztrains Build Corner, we have a very preliminary look at the basic rockwork and soil covering. Miles from completion of course, but I thought it might be interesting for you to have a look at this stage. The red soil used for the base coat comes to us from […]

September 24, 2012 0 Comments More
Two Desktop Layouts In Z Scale

Two Desktop Layouts In Z Scale

As I work on the MTL Waterfront Project track, I thought I’d also like to also get to work on a pair of desktop layouts for the upcoming holidays. I’ve previously built about a dozen of these pieces for customers, and this time out I decided to build a pair at the same time I’m […]

September 15, 2012 0 Comments More
Digitrax | Z Scale DCC Decoders

Digitrax | Z Scale DCC Decoders

Thanks to Digitrax for supplying Ztrains with the following release and images. The Digitrax DZ123Z0 is a 1 amp DCC board replacement mobile decoder. It is designed to easily replace the light board for solder free installation in an American Z Line GP-30 and GP38-2. It can also be used with the Budd RDC, which […]

September 7, 2012 0 Comments More
Waterfront Project | Benchwork

Waterfront Project | Benchwork

We received our benchwork for the Waterfront Project this past week from Ondrew Hartigan at modelrailroadbenchwork.com and could not be happier with their work. I’d like to talk about benchwork, bases and Z scale stability for just a minute. Not stability as in the State Of The Scale, nothing that dramatic. Instead, I mean basic […]

August 29, 2012 0 Comments More
Lights, Benchwork, Action!

Lights, Benchwork, Action!

I just got back from the world of eBay shopping this afternoon; on today’s shopping list was lighting. Not for a layout or diorama, well not exactly. Many of the pieces I build are small, even the custom desktop layouts I’ve built and sold are only about 16” square with a hand laid oval of […]

August 9, 2012 0 Comments More
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