MODELLING SWISS RAILWAYS IN Z SCALE

2009 - The view from deep inside the tunnel

The text below dates from January 2006 and basically describes a period during which Z scale - and specifically Swiss prototype Z scale - flourished and the modeller and enthusiast was presented with a growing choice of models and a variety of manufacturers never seen before. There was more than ample reason for an optimistic point of view. Now, only three years later, in early 2009, the changes which have since occured are such that it would be hard to believe for any newcomer just how different everything was only a short while ago - which is the main reason why I haven't rewritten the original.

First and foremost, Maerklin - the company which launched Z scale and remained the sole mass market ready-to-run manufacturer - entered into receivership on 4 February 2009.

Only three years earlier, the company had already been saved from bankruptcy through a sell-off in May 2006 to the London-based investment company Kingsbridge Capital. Initial fears that Maerklin would completely drop out of their "speciality scales" Z and 1 proved unfounded, but the range of Swiss Z scale models quickly came under pressure. In 2006/2007, the Swiss starter pack was dropped from production, and with it Z scalers not only lost an easy way of entering Swiss prototype modelling but also Maerklin's model of the SBB's common workhorse, the Re 460.

Quite suddenly, the strong position which Swiss models had traditionally held in the company's Z scale production portfolio ever since the introduction of the scale was crumbling badly. And there was no sign of a better future at all as Maerklin lost around 13,6 Mio Euros in 2006, 16,6 Mio Euros in 2007, and expected a loss of around 20 Mio Euros for 2008. During these bad times for Maerklin, others started to fall by the wayside. After Swiss Z Lines (SZL) launched their Re 6/6 in 2007 which, it would seem, did not sell too well as a top price brass model in a now narrowing market for Swiss Z scale, the subsidiary of the well-to-do American Z Lines (AZL) was cut back and consequently even lost its own web presence. The ripples of the tidal wave which struck Maerklin also hit another small business which had brought a refreshing splash of colour to Swiss Z scale as Mikkelsen International's repaints vanished from the market.

Today, in early 2009, only two sources other than the dwindling offerings from Maerklin itself remain open to the Swiss prototype Z scale modellers. One is the longstanding Freudenreich Feinwerktechnik (FR) who continues to offer high-quality Swiss prototype models, the other is Jens Wimmel and his ZettZeit special releases.

Just exactly where future events will take Z scale and more specifically modelling Swiss railways in Z scale, is anybody's guess. Unfortunately, unlike American Z scale (where Micro-Trains and AZL offer a wide range of models and Micro-trains has also established its own brand of track), the Swiss Z scale modeller is highly dependent on Maerklin (Peco produces Z scale flextrack, but no pointwork). For the time being, he will now have to content himself with models of previous years (widely available on internet auction platforms today and most certainly for years to come) and just wait and see how things go.

Taking into account the fact that Z clearly isn't a mass market modelling scale and that the only major ready-to-run manufacturer in Europe (Maerklin) has developed the range of models with a clear emphasis on its own national railway system (Germany), models of Swiss prototypes have played a surprisingly large role in the mini-club range.

But what exactly can you expect if you decide to model the Swiss railway scene in Z scale?

It is often said that Maerklin introduced Z scale rather than going into the N scale market (something the company did contemplate for a time) because they wanted more control of the market. Producing something unique is, of course, the best way to achieve this. For a long time, Maerklin remained the only producer for European Z scale (offerings by other producers were invariably produced in very limited quantities only, and often modelled after very special prototypes).

This has started to change in recent years as the scale itself has attracted more modellers, but Maerklin remains the main producer by far, and the first supply of models anyone thinking of modelling the Swiss railway scene in Z will turn to.

Maerklin has always been extremely good in the field of advertising and public relations. Their Z scale range has a long tradition of being branded "nur fuer Erwachsene" - for adults only, thus emphasizing the technical aspects which can be summarized as "advanced micro-technology" (i.e. extremely scaled down but very accurate working models).

On the other hand, Maerklin advertisements always bring out the "play value" of these diminuitive trains too. These models are amazingly small and lovely to look at, but they're working model trains and ultimately they're built to run on model track. This aspect, however, is nearly always linked to a certain touch of exclusiveness, indicating that Z scale is something special.

All of these general remarks also hold true for the range of Swiss models, and if you combine these two aspects, you will find that it is indeed possible today to model SBB mainline operations (predominantly modern) quite well in Z scale.

An integral part of the basic aspects of Z scale is the restricted selection of models which are available. In terms of modelling Swiss railways in Z, however, the variety produced by Maerklin since their first Swiss mini-club model in 1979 is fairly extensive, and a growing number of smaller companies offer an increasing selection of extras in terms of motive power and accessories. Perhaps more challenging than the limited choice of models is the fact that there is also a limited availability - the only Swiss model which has been in production continuously since its introduction (in 1979) is the green liveried Be 6/8 III "Crocodile" (catalogue number 8856).

All other models have at one time been dropped from production, some to be re-introduced at a later point in time, others not. This is why Z scale modellers, rather than just buying a model, can often be found hunting down a specific item. However, the internet has worked wonders in this respect - rather than having to rely entirely on finding sought-after models sleeping on the shelves of some model railway shop (still a good option if available), online auction services often provide a choice of discontinued items.

One aspect of Maerklin's Z scale models which stands out is the almost proverbial general quality and the standard of detailing. These days, all locomotives feature a five-pole motor, and since 2001 all models, both motive power and rolling stock, feature blackened wheels, which - together with state of the art printing techniques - result in models which can often rival N scale models with ease.

The oldest of the "independent" production lines offering Swiss Z scale models alongside Maerklin (Freudenreich Feinwerktechnik (FR) of Germany) produced its first Z scale model in 1994.

Three years later, FR released a Z scale model of the SBB three-phase converter locomotive Be 4/4 no.12001. An additional production re-run in 2000 brought the total number of Be 4/4 models produced by FR to 51 units. A third production run in 2005 is said to be the last output for this model.

This "pioneer" loco from an independent manufacturer is, quite typically, a hand-manufactured brass model with flywheel, i.e. a high quality model produced in small numbers. Understandably, even though reasonably priced for what it's worth, it can't be cheap.

It is quite clear that manufacturers such as FR can't enter the mass production market, but within a chosen limitation to a few prototypes (mainly US and Swiss) FR has established itself as an important manufacturer for Z scale modellers. FR has since produced a second unique Swiss loco model (the Rorschach Heiden Bergbahn (RHB) DZeh2/4 rack locomotive) and a series of one-off K1 SBB goods wagons (both illustrated below), but the real importance of FR for the Z scale modeller of Swiss railways is an accessory also illustrated in the picture below: the catenary.

Virtually all Swiss Z scale models portray electric traction, and the overhead wires (catenary) needed by the protoype for current collection really are an essential modelling feature, even though the models run perfectly without them as they take their current from the tracks. Unfortunately for the Z scale modeller, German and Swiss catenary masts and cross spans have a completely different appearance, which means that Maerklin's catenary system - obviously modelled on the German prototype - looks entirely out of place on a Swiss layout. This is where FR has become an invaluable source for all Swiss Z scale modellers, offering highly detailed kits for prototypically looking Swiss style catenary made of etched nickel silver, milled brass and white metal castings. Harald Freudenreich recommends operating this catenary without electrical function (a feature of Maerklin's own catenary system). Thin elastic threads can be used, but even no "wires" at all looks good. The problem of non-availability at times (FR's production output is, understandably, limited) in itself is, as pointed out above, something Z scale modellers simply have to be prepared to live with.

The catenary system is a good example to illustrate how a small manufacturer can close a gaping hole left open by the main manufacturer Maerklin. This very same constellation marked the launch of the first Swiss Z Lines (SZL) models in early 2004, when SZL offered the first model of an Re 4/4 II in Z scale - remarkably enough, Maerklin had not come up with a model of the most common locomotive on Swiss rails in 25 years of producing Swiss Z scale models. So, as with the catenary, the gap was filled by an independent company.

SZL, formed in 2002 with the cooperation of American Z Lines (AZL), followed in the footsteps of the success formula of AZL by offering an all brass design produced by leading specialist manufacturer Ajin of Korea. In addition, SZL Re 4/4 IIs feature a Swiss made Faulhaber coreless motor and large dual brass flywheels. The only Maerklin components on the models are the pantographs and the couplers.

Again, the production output is limited (about 90 models for the first run, some available only in sets together with EW I coaches) and prices are (justifiably) high. Nevertheless, SZL's venture onto the Z scale market is important to Swiss Z scale modelling in general. Apart from asetting quality standards of production and finish not seen before in Z scale, even such limited edition high-end products add to the choice of models and create new interest in Swiss Z scale modelling.

Whilst the dominant role of Maerklin in European Z scale is unlikely ever to be challenged, modellers are provided with an evergrowing variety of items as more and more small manufacturers offer Z scale products, and although still a minority modelling scale, items and services which are commonplace in the more popular scales but which had been lacking in Z are gradually setting in. Resprays and/or conversions of available ready-to-run models into something a little bit more exclusive, for example, are now offered to Swiss Z scale modellers by Mikkelsen International on the basis of Maerklin models.

Ranging from minor disguises (such as an EW IV "family coach") to complete transformations into locomotives not (yet) offered by Maerklin (such as the BLS Re 485 in its striking Connecting Europe livery, left), Mikkelsen is yet another small independent company adding to the variety and fun of Swiss Z scale modelling with high quality models

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