I have a dream in Z gauge

[Fatso]

Hi guys been dreaming of building a 3ft x 8ft layout split down the middke so as to have holding stage for about 6 to 8 locos plus i like a 2d mountin backscene with a long bridge with to rail buses passing one another on a timer also like to have isolating switches to stop at stations ect and also like to build over have cantenary powered all of the above need your help please also what is the biggest radius curves please any help welcomed.mike

[Steamtrains]

Hi Mike.....I suggest you get yourself a Marklin catalog (Z-gauge, of course..), the complete version, so you can check out all the equipment they have for putting together a layout. There's probably everything you can imagine, and somethings you haven't thought of, in there. As I recall, they also furnish a price list with it, so you can get an idea of what you're looking at in terms of the $$'s involved. There is a section in there showing multiple configurations for the track arrangements you might want to look at as well. I believe MicroTrains is also manufacturing Z-scale items, so you can check it out as well. Another option is eBay. You can find hundreds of items there at prices that are quite a bit less than list price.
Good luck with your project, and keep us posted on your progress...

[nachoman]

A few weeks ago I was exploring micro trains Z scale track and found this:

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There is a link to track plans on the left. It looks like most Z scale track components are the kind with roadbed attached, and you are limited to fixed curve radii and lengths. That is probably a good things, because laying z scale track is probably tough to get smooth. You may want to start with one of the track plans offered by marklin or micro trains, since they are designed to work with their track pieces. If you find one that is close to what you want, you can probably modify it my adding sidings or make it longer or shorter by adding or subtracting straight segments.