About These Pages

Z-Scale is the world’s smallest electric train. Because of its small size, Z-Scale allows you to create an almost limitless miniature world, a world that reflects your choices for the scene.

I authored Greenberg’s Guide to Märklin Z in 1988. At that point, Z was over fifteen years old, and was starting to achieve market acceptance. The scale was developed by Märklin, GmbH of Germany in 1972, and its early days were often marked with whimsey and cuteness. By the time I wrote the Greenberg book, the scale was beginning to find a major following of those who wanted to create realistic miniature worlds.

The Greenberg book went out of print in the mid-1990’s, while, at the same time, the market for Z-Scale continued to grow and develop. When I finally gained the rights to the book years later, it also became apparent that more than a little of the book was already out of date. And so began an odyssey.




		Photo courtesy Märklin, Inc.

There’s not much reason to go into the details, but the net effect is that my new Z-Scale “how-to” book hasn’t reached print yet. There are indications that this is about to change, but doing these web pages is a way for me to get the writing process started and to also help bridge the gap between the old book and the one that might yet be.

Those who have been in Z-Scale for a while know that I have extensive experience with model railroad layout construction and with Z-Scale construction in particular. I rent my office from a cabinet maker and this has given me access to many skilled woodworkers. They have been interested in my work and I have learned more than a few new ideas in discussions with them. At the same time, I also am a consultant in the model railroad industry to several companies, which has also been beneficial for me. The goal of these pages is to give you information about what is available for your use and to communicate my experiences to help you.

Please view these pages as a conversation between friends. I will tell you what I know and I fully expect that you will find an approach with which you feel comfortable to create your own miniature world. I also hope that you will meet others who are interested in model railroads and interested in Z-Scale in particular, they’re a good group of people.

The end goal of all this is a completed model railroad that brings you enjoyment. To that, I wish you well and hope that these pages bring you to that place.



		Z-Scale layout


	Riley O’Connor Atlanta, Georgia Copyright 2005


	Page updated 12/06/2005


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