Z Gauge scrapyard challenge
I purchased the Marklin Z gauge set 81530 from Ebay which consisted of a Southern Pacific 4-6-2 and a couple of wagons plus a caboose. I fancied the idea of making a VERY small layout and only using scrap or spare material from Ridley.
Up to now (2/4/2009) the total outlay on the layout is £0.00...
This layout was exhibited at Zedex 09 in October and sold in 2010 to provide the cash for a G scale live steam loco.
Size compaison:
Just to give you a clue as to how small Z gauge is. The Duchess is standard Hornby OO.
Basics
An Ikea shelf lent itself to be a perfect baseboard (490mm x 770mm) and using an old foam camping matress, I made the basic contours...
Stage 2
Added some more contours and offset the track (a suggestion from a damn fine forum member in Germany)
Stage 3
Gave it a liberal coating of plaster of paris (left over from a chess set). Looks a bit like a badly decorated cake!
Stage 4
A couple of coats of Arizona desert colour and 1st coat of 'water'. The mine cut-out is just there for scale.
Stage 5
Tressle bridge made from plasticard
Stage 6
Mine buildings and vehicle made from blocks of wood, water tower from brass wire and balsa.