Zmodell novelties 2025 Part II

[Alex_dn]

Hi friends,

Along with restocking many sold out items, I would like to introduce a few more new products in the very end of this year. Many of you, perhaps, remember the long report about new items I published some time ago – it was the first part:
viewtopic.php?t=24465


Load inserts

ZM-MRK-SGNS-006E – Stakes framework for type SGNS 4-axle flatcar

After introducing ZM-MRK-SGNS-006 – wood load for type SGNS flatcar (Märklin 80833, 82640, 82641), I received many positive feedbacks, but also a suggestion to add an empty metal frame without timber as a separate product. I accepted an argument that type SGNS flatcars equipped with stakes for transporting wood are also travel empty, without any loads, and decided to introduce one more variant – in the form of empty framework with stakes.

Like in previous case, the framework is made of thick 0.8 mm photo-etched brass. I only changed material slightly and used the hardest grade of brass in order to make the product more rigid and stable. The framework is assembled from the set of separate parts joined together using SMD soldering technology:

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Assembled frameworks then thoroughly cleaned in the ultrasonic bath from residues of flux and receive 3-layer paint coating – metal primer + two layers of lacquer paint:

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The framework features small pins on the bottom side that fit into the holes on the flatcars (like containers) and prevent the load for sliding and falling away:

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This is how the framework with stakes looks on red DB type SGNS flatcar:

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The product comes in a special rigid packaging for additional security:

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The new load inserts are available here:
https://www.1zu220-shop.de/Zmodell/Lade ... 56535.html


Traffic signs

As I already promised in the first part of the report about my novelties for 2025 year, I will continue expanding the range of prototypical true to scale traffic signs. The following three new items serve exactly this purpose. All traffic signs match the current design according to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) of Germany, but some of the signs are suitable for other countries, too.

As I mentioned before, the total number of existing traffic sings is very big, and combining different signs on the same pole, in turn, produces thousands of possible variants that would be difficult to implement completely, therefore I decided to group traffic signs by the area of usage – for example, “Crossings”, “Parking lots”, “Municipal roads”, “Urban area”, and so on. I will follow this principle in further sets that I also plan to introduce later.

I would like to point out again that the signs come ready to use – with already applied plastic labels with high-resolution print, no need to do all this meticulous work at customer’s side.

ZM-MS-034 – Set of traffic signs for municipal roads

Of course, municipal roads or local roads are modeled much more often on layouts than, for example, autobahns (especially in Z scale), that is why I decided to pay attention to the signs that are used on these roads more frequently. The following set consists of 38 different variants of true to scale single, double and triple traffic signs and allows improving the look of the layout in a very realistic way:

ZM-MS-034.jpg

The signs are made of 0.3 mm photo-etched nickel silver covered with 3-layer paint coating – metal primer + silver paint + clear matte lacquer. This combination gives a very realistic look of slightly weathered zinc-plated metal. The set comes with a special metal gauge that allows easy mounting all signs at the same height:

ZM-MS-034-1.jpg

[Alex_dn]

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The rear side of the signs is half-etched:

ZM-MS-034-2.jpg

This is a detailed illustration about how to mount the traffic signs on the layout using suppled gauge:

ZM-MS-034-3.jpg

The set is available here:
https://www.1zu220-shop.de/Zmodell/Zube ... 56537.html

Useful information about road categories in Germany is here:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stra%C3%9Fenkategorie

ZM-MS-036 – Set of direction signs in curves and guide plates

The next set is also very useful in enhancing the prototypical look of Z scale layouts. It contains 36 traffic signs – different types of guiding plates in curves and road splits. The set is made of the same material, 0.3 mm photo-etched nickel silver and features the same 3-layer paint coating:

ZM-MS-036.jpg

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The rear side of the signs is half-etched, too:

ZM-MS-036-3.jpg

The set comes with metal mounting gauge for correct and equal height of the signs on layout, and also paper drilling template for signs with two poles:

ZM-MS-036-1.jpg

This is a detailed illustration about how to mount the traffic signs on the layout:

ZM-MS-036-4.jpg

The set of signs is available here:
https://www.1zu220-shop.de/Zmodell/Zube ... 56538.html

ZM-MS-032 – Double-sided delineator posts

Here is one more important addition – delineator posts – a small, but very common sign on many local roads:

ZM-MS-032.jpg

The sign comes in 50-piece set. It is made of 0.3 mm photo-etched nickel silver, too. An important difference in this case is that the signs are double-sided and printed using direct UV-printing technology:

ZM-MS-032-2.jpg

[Alex_dn]

Each set is supplied with a special plastic mounting gauge that allows easy and precise mounting the signs in two different variants – standalone and behind the traffic barrier (Art. No. ZM-MS-031):

ZM-MS-032-1.jpg

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Here is the illustration that describes two different variants on mounting delineator posts on the layout:

ZM-MS-032-3.jpg

The product is available here:
https://www.1zu220-shop.de/Zmodell/Zube ... 56536.html

Interior details

I decided to expand the range of locomotive driver’s cabin interior details with two more items – for BR 103 and BR 151 electric locomotives. After designing the same articles for BR 111, 120 and 143 electric locomotives several years ago, I hesitated making the same for BR 103 and BR 151 because the metal inserts in the housings of these locomotives have uneven horizontal surface – the part for BR 103 features a protruding knob in the center, while the part for BR 151 is curved.

A while ago, I decided to get back to this project. After experimenting with different materials, I achieved satisfactory results that allowed the new articles to appear. I manually reproduced interiors of driver’s cabins of both locomotives with the smallest details. All this meticulous work was based on many real photos of locomotive interiors from different angles.

ZM-PL-103 – Driver’s cabin interior reproduction for BR 103 electric locomotives

The following picture speaks for itself – you can look at the real photo of BR 103 driver’s cabin interior and compare the level of details:


https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/deutschl ... en-im.html

BR103.jpg

The interior details are printed on a special thin plastic adhesive film and come already precisely precut – no need to cut them out with scissors. Just carefully pick up the sticker with thin tweezers and attach it to the metal part as shown on the following picture:

BR103_1.jpg

Of course, it is necessary to make sure that the metal part is absolutely clean from dust, oil and grease. Be prepared to disassemble the locomotive quite seriously:

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The metal parts with correctly attached stickers should look like this:

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The locomotive looks much better when no metal is shining through the windows, but driver’s controls are visible instead:

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Here is the list of models/train sets with BR 103 electric locomotives where this article can be used: Märklin 8128, 8854, 8867, 81281, 81282, 88175, 88179, 88541, 88542, 88543, 88544, 88545, 88546.

The new product is available here:
https://www.1zu220-shop.de/Zmodell/Zube ... 56539.html

[Alex_dn]

ZM-PL-151 – Driver’s cabin interior reproduction for BR 151 electric locomotives

Again, I would like to compare the real photo of the driver’s cabin interior of BR 151 electric locomotive to the reproduction I meticulously designed on my own:


https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/deutschl ... n-151.html

BR151.jpg

The metal insert in BR 151 locomotive has a different shape, and the plastic sticker must be attached onto it accordingly. It may be quite difficult, so I recommend being very careful and patient during this precise operation. The installation principle is the same:

BR151_1.jpg

Correctly attached stickers should look like this:

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Again, the locomotive housing requires serious disassembly:

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But the final results are worth it – the real cabin details and driver’s controls are visible through the windows after such an upgrade:

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Here is the list of models/train sets with BR 151 electric locomotives where this article can be used: Märklin 8826, 8857, 8858, 81862, 88261, 88262, 88571, 88572.

The new product is available here:
https://www.1zu220-shop.de/Zmodell/Zube ... 56540.html

I will continue developing and introducing new articles in the future. If everything goes as planned, you will see more interesting items in the next year.

Best regards,
Alex