Z Scale Modules At NMRA NTS In Grand Rapids, Michi

I am going to jump in and give my thoughts. I have always wanted a layout that was roomsize and maybe I didn't push hard enough or I was too lazy but when I saw Z scale and the 1/220 size, It was a dream come true. Finally I have started a layout even though I am already making my second board without even finishing the board only. It will be 66"x 36" now it will have over 40 switches and a turn table. Now lets compare this to other scales that would be 90" by 60" in n scale or 11'x 6' in HO and so on and so on. My point is you can have a complete room size layout and yet be only 3'x 6' (plus size is i can reach any place on that board without streching my oversize frame to do it) So I do have a room size layout and yet I can carry it or stand it up or what ever. Size is scale; small scale more in a smaller area. Again I will say it one of the most impressive layouts that I have seen is 36" by 15" (James River Branch by David K Smith) or his new diorama which is about 6 x 15" from the photos I have seen. Second is the z scale shirinking or what. HEY PEOPLE we now have a decent new loco GP38 for a little over a hundred dollars with eight road names and four numbers per road name. That is 32 different locos !!!!!!!!!! Now let us look at the track being offered. A new company has hit the seen and I am in hock up to my ear lobes to them. I have also seen in the last two years more companies coming into the scale including a company that makes scale shopping baskets like the other scales. Yes we don't have everything and some of the timelines stink and yes we have to MODEL what we don't have AND appreciate what we do have: Stonebridge (Karen), NZT (David), RSlazer (Rich), Randy Brown, Intermountain, Micro trains, Lajos Thek and many more that we have and sell make and add a lot to the scale.......
So is the scale dying?????? I don't know but I have seen a lot of new product being made for a shrinking market???????
And I HAVE BEEN IN IT FOR ONLY 31/2 YEARS AT 65 YEARS YOUNG
Dwight, the shy lion

Dwight, interesting post. Let me say straight out that this scale is far from dying. Actually, it is quite the opposite. I think what you are seeing is that many of the most influential and forwarded thinking Z scalers have left the forums or no longer actively participate. This has hurt the online visibility of the scale and allows one to think that Z is smaller than it really is.

The reality is that Z is growing strongly. No manufacturer is going to invest into a scale that is declining. Just look at the past few months of new releases:

Rokuahn new track sections including 90 degree crossing
AZL preparing to release GP38s at a $99.00 price point
AZL new body styles - waffle gondolas and beer cars as well as tri-level autoracks
MTL two-bay hoppers (granted we had these already with Full Throttle)
MTL's continued release of their reefers
InterMountains' 4-bay cylindricals being released in the next two weeks
Marklin bringing back the GG1
All of the great kits from TBS
And so forth.

Plus look at the pipeline. For instance, on the AZL side we still have 89' RTTX flat cars coming and hopefully by the end of the year, Mikados and heavy weight passenger coaches. Also the brass Big Boys.

My point is that there is a lot of excitement here in Z scale. Companies are selling out of releases and the interest in the scale is growing. I see this everyday with Ztrack as more Z scalers subscriber to the magazine, or order through our websites. I also see this with dealers whose sales are growing and they are reaching a broader audience.

The point of this thread was the need to get Z more showcased at the NTS in Michigan. To me, it is very important to have Z scale at shows and conventions. We need to share with the model train world what Z has to offer. Every time Z is at a show, it draws a crowd. But it takes dedicated individuals to commit to going to shows and run trains. For that, there is only a limited few willing to do so.

So the larger question, and one I have been asking myself and others, is how to we strengthen the visibility of the scale? How do we build excitement and get more clubs formed and attending shows? How do we bring back our lost friends to the forums? How can we showcase the best Z has to offer? I am open to ideas!

Rob

Personally I think the biggest problem for Z is the fact that everything is so costly.I know I would have a lot more if I could aford it.I do believe that the GP38-2 at just under $100.00 might get a few more into the scale(it was a $100.00 GP35 that got me started. ).

Everytime I do a show (4 a year) I get a lot of interest unfortumately there is very little Z for sale at the local shows and what is there is mostly Marklin european stuff and way to costly.

Well this was not meant to be a rant and I will be at NTS (hopefully with layout)and I am looking forward to meeting those of you that show up.

I'm showing up........boy am I showing up, and I'll have some starter sets available to offer folks who want to 'jump into' the hobby.

I just wish AZL would offer some undec GP38s. I mean how hard can it be to get the Chinese to leave paint off of a few dozen locos?

Correction on my last post. This dummy wasn't paying attention to the topic and I thought the thread was in regards to the NZSC. I am NOT going to Grand Rapids, just Denver.

Sorry for the goof.

This is to those who will be at NTS particularly the ones that plan to show layouts. Is there some way we can work it so we can be together at the show? It would make it more fun if we were near each other. Could those who know the right people work on that for us? I haven't received my packet yet and need to know what I need to put on my forms so that I can be near you guys

Ellen
Indianapolis

That sounds like a great idea! I hope to be able to join you there.

The MidweZt HaulerZ are getting ready to head to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the 2012 NTS this coming weekend. It looks like we'll be all the way at the back of the hall from the entrance. Come by and say "Hi" if you're there. Feel free to bring something to run on our modules. We run straight DC.

I'm so excited to be showing modules in an NTS for the first time. Looking forward to meeting the Michigan Zers

Ellen

Well NTS is HAPPENING

I've met Ellen and Thom, for the first time,seeing Gayle and Thomas again (4 great people)We are not all together Those four are I got deported to a view of the river.Only problem with my view is I am on the inside looking out. (and no fishing gear)

Only pics I've taken so far are of my own layout, will try to get pics of the other two later today. I won't bother with Mr. Dave because I'm sure he will get plenty of coverage from the other folks.

I will post pics later today or tomorrow.