Welcome to newsletter Number 16. Once again, I have to apologise for its being late. Since the last newsletter we have had several new members who have joined since the article in March 1998 Continental Modeller by Mike Baggs, many thanks for the mention, Mike! If anybody else gets an article published It would be appreciated if they could do the same please.
If there are any members who have joined this year and have not yet received newsletters 14 and 15 please let me know and I will forward them. With reference to the buses that were offered as this year
=s membership item, I have had a lot of problems getting them cast. At the moment, I cannot give an indication of when they are likely to be available. If anybody would like an alternative please choose from the list of items we produce and let me know.
Also included this issue is a Membership list, the service sheet for 8853 class 120 electric locomotive, a brief description of Brian Harrap
=s fine scale modelling (editors note I have seen his workmanship and can only drool at his skills) and an idea from Duncan Bevan for indicating when a train is occupying a dead end section.Scholz who supply Westmodel have moved - their new address is:
Scholz-Eisenbahn
Clichystrass 28
89518 Heidenheim
Germany
Tel. : (0049 07321) 416 44
Fax.: (0049 07321) 485 02
ZOB - by Brian Harrap
My first Z layout, dubbed miniZOB by those who are familiar with my HO work, came into existence to fulfil an idea of mine to build a small armchair layout. That is a layout that I, or anyone else, could operate sitting in an armchair with said layout positioned across the arms. Let me say straight away that the layout got built OK, and has been a lot of fun, both at home and at exhibitions, but is quite hopeless for its intended armchair use as the slightest movement or fidgeting tends to send all the stock flying. Z scale got chosen for this project mainly because it was the scale that fitted, if you see what I mean. Length was realistically limited to 1.2 metres to fit across the chair, and as I had in mind a track plan that involved two levels, the only option was Z. N just wouldn
=t fit.It was only at this stage that I started to look closely at what Z really had to offer. I had a quick look at the US models by Marklin and was soon able to pass them over as having far too many manufacturing compromises to be taken seriously, so it was going to have to be European prototype, I was used to that anyway so no culture shock there. I also decided quite early on that the motive power for the type of operation I was going to be involved in would best be served by a Bo-Bo type. Wish they did a V100 or 290 or something similar. I settled for the 218 which I have got running reasonably well. I hope to do some repowering with Faulhaber motors at some later date.
There was little doubt in my mind that I would be building my own track for the new layout and as I had been fully committed to finescale (Proto whatever) in HO and G scales it seemed logical that I should build the new layout in Pz. So I did For those who might have missed it miniZOB was featured in the May 1995 CM. MiniZob is now about half built.
Reverse Unit for Marklin Z - by Duncan Bevan
A gap can be cut in Marklin track at a point where the locomotive is required to stop/reverse. If a buffer stop is situated in the track leave sufficient length for overrun, particularly with the new locomotives. When the loco enters the section it will stop, the diode while light and stay lit until the controller is transferred to reverse direction, in which case the diode goes out with the locomotive moving out of the section. Useful.
Marklin supply diode attached. Gapped Part No. 8500. This is included with loco shed 8980 (two).
Sales And Wants
I have a few wagons for sale (Plastic wheels) - I am open to offers. Also, we still have several sets of Merton figures available.
Graham Mussell Telephone 01306 712024 has a number of Micro Trains US Box Cars and Tankers available at
,7.95 each. Also some Noch Buses, Tankers and Trailers at ,4.50 each.Barrie Swift Telephone 01446 794147 has three Silverfish coaches for sale. Please phone him for the price.
I will be attending the following exhibitions with my layout Wintersdorf over the next few months - so please come along and have a chat.
6th June Olney
16th/17th August Colwyn Bay
12th/13th September Weymouth
Brian Yallop will be attending the following exhibition with his layout Standen Watchett.
19th September Hoddesdon
Well that
=s it for now - I hope to be able to get the next newsletter out on time but please don=t hold your breath! Once again, many thanks for your continued support and I look forward to any articles or comments you may wish to contribute.