models

Modeling in Z-scale is a challenge alone. To research, plan and build models that were never built before in Z-scale, for me, is the ultimate challenge. Many years ago I've handbuilt the brass model of the DRG ET194 electric freight railcar, a small boxcab locomotive, the smallest in Z-scale. After learning the tricks of fine brass etching, I made the model available for other Z-scalers. This first hand experience helped me to develop a kit of the first affordable American Z-scale switcher locomotive, the SW-1. In the past half decade I became more and more addicted to study the history of American logging operations, logging railroads and all the related industries. I"ve built a small Z-Bend Track module with logging related themes, also the model of a small gasoline powered boxcab locomotive. Regardless, I had to build a Shay locomotive, the first ever in Z-scale. To achieve what I've planned, I picked a larger, 60 ton class B (two track) Shay locomotive as a concept. My model is a medley of several similar prototypes, so I could get the overall character of a Shay I really like. I couldn't imagine my Shay without a turning crankshaft, moving piston rods and turning drive shafts. Here is the story in pictures.

The first Z-scale Shay crankshaft ever, with the "coupler rings" attached, is comfortably resting on a Dime.

This is the Z-scale Shay engine upside down, placed on a Dime. The crankshaft is smoothly rolling thanks to the two ultra miniature ball bearings, the "coupler rings" are attached. The three small turnings are the cylinder heads.

On the top of a Dime, the components of the small gearbox to drive the crankshaft. The motor is a 4 x 5 mm good quality ($1.50) pager motor by Motorola, the gears were pulled from a few surplus ($2.00) miniature gearboxes then machined as needed, the worms were machined from standard 4-40 screws picked up at the local hardware store.

Click here to watch the short video clip recorded by our friend Jerry at the Z-scale convention in Medford, OR.

And here is a video showing the module City of Kronenberg and The Shay action, made by our great friend from Norway, Svein-Martin Holt