I started a blog in 2017 to document the creation of my Z scale Alpine layout (all Marklin locos and rolling stock with mixed products for just about everything else). You can see my posts at the end of this page.
I went with Z scale because I wanted to make the most of a layout in a limited space and I had bought some Marklin Z rolling stock, locos and track many years ago for "the day" I would start a layout.
Considering how far I have come over the last five years or so I have hit a fork in the road, as it were. I like the design of my layout overall though there are some flaws I wish I could correct without having to tear up too much so I have modified things over time to deal with them the best I can. In the end though there are certain aspects of a layout I want to have in mine and they are certainly a challenge in Z scale.
I want my locos to have DCC. I have found a couple of drop in decoders for my Electric and diesel locos and I was able to install one in one of my steam locos though it required some tooling of the frame. I'd love to have sound, especially for the steam locos, and I'm sure if I work hard enough at it I may even achieve that at some point but that might be one challenge too far. At some point, I'd like to actually run the locos in earnest.
Well about 2 months ago I stumbled on Marklin's Trix (or Minitrix) line of N scale locos and rolling stock. They are truly beautiful in my opinion and you get some great detail. The biggest kick for me is they now sell a lot of their steam locos (as well as their diesel and electrics) with DCC and sound. What I have seen on youtube.com has created this conundrum. Part of me would hate to rip up all the work I have done and start over though I have gained a lot of knowledge about wiring, layout structure and scenery over the last few years so it wouldn't be all for naught.
I guess my biggest issue is being a larger scale it creates a new challenge of coming up with a layout plan that would incorporate all the details I want in the same relatively small space (I say relatively because I have roughly a 11.5' X 8' space to work with which in N or Z scale is pretty decent).
I know I'm not the only modeler out there who part way through one layout just ripped it up and started over but my current dilemma I am wrestling with is what direction do I go with from here? Do I...
1) Stick with my current layout and see it "to the end" which for me would have lots of lights in buildings, lots of signals (not necessarily prototypical), lots of scenery (being the Alps i have lots of cliffs and can have many trees and whatnot), lots of animation (small scenes with things like moving autos, maybe a moving crane at a construction site, that kind of thing-these little scenes in layouts I believe are what bring the layouts I've seen to life even more sometimes than the trains themselves-trains running through "dead" landscapes aren't as interesting to my taste, a nice backdrop that blends well, ambient sounds that make sense and don't just bombard the ears with lots of noise. I think this gives a good idea of what I am going for in any layout and maybe years down the road AFTER reaching these goals try something new if I want
2) go forward with my current layout for a couple of years with the idea that after a couple of years I will tear it up and go the Minitrix route? This idea would change my current goal to not try and make the best end all layout but make it so it's satisfactory enough to enjoy and not get to mired in too many small details but still gain more skills to help with the next layout but spend more time getting the trains running and less time filling the layout with so many details; just enough to help it all blend nicely together
3) Do "the band-aid thing" and just tear up what I have, salvage whatever I can and start with this new Minitrix N scale idea. Being able to avoid all the electronic challenges of converting locos to DCC or adding sound would save a ton of time and be more interesting running the locos even if they are running on a fairly empty landscape while I add the details over time to really bring the layout alive. I think if I had a real good plan of what this version of a layout would look like (track plan, where cities/buildings/pastures/roads etc would be) and how it would fit into the space I have I would probably take the plunge and dive right into this new layout concept.
I have looked into track planning software lately and could probably come up with some ideas for a new N scale layout but it's hard for me to picture the overall look of a layout while trying to maximize the space I have to work with and make sure everything will fit before I just start building and hitting snags. One place I looked into that can do this planning for you would run me $1600-$2500 for the plan which is just a bit more than I am comfortable spending at the moment. I also did buy a Trix track plan book which has given me some great ideas though my final version would probably incorporate some variations of their suggestions put together.
I'd like to hear from folks who at some point or another (or many points) hit this fork in the road like me and what direction they took. What tools did you use to get you past this point whether you ended up soldiering on with your current layout or going a completely different direction? Maybe there are other folks out there who have Minitrix layouts they are happy with (or not) and can offer some suggestions.
Like everyone else my funds aren't limitless but for the sake of keeping options open let's not worry too much about expense at the moment. Let's assume there is enough money for each phase of construction. Plus, if I go with a new layout I should be able to sell a good deal of my Z scale stuff though I may keep some of it in case I want to make a small layout down the road.
-Anthony-
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31795
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31817
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31821
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31828
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31850
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31870
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31946
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/32220
https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/32223