That's a brilliant tiny layout. Amazed at the detailing and how much is packed into the available space and height. I thought maybe the lamp posts or buildings would need removing before lowering the lid, until I saw it done at the end. Just superb! Thanks for posting, very enjoyable.
You are right. I used to have a very ambitious layout, it was only 3 by 1 1/2 meters. That was already an empire. It seemed about the size of Lichtenstein.
Hello again. I've started my suitcase train. I was surprised to find the exact same station and the farm houses to build. I couldn't find the other house, but found something of similar size. A store for organic food. I also found the bridge (10cm wide). I see the street seems to be level and the rest is built up or hollowed out (creek). Got the same tunnel faces, but have problems finding the proper walls after the tunnel. Cars, figures and such can wait for now. Must get some foam to work with and lay the track. That should be the most difficult part. I always come back to enjoy your suitcase train.👍 Checked how far I can bend flextrack and still have a car roll around the turn today. Works fine. Thanks again for showing this.
Hello, I wish you success on your project. There is one bit of help I like to offer. When I built mine I used door-skin, that is 1/8 thickness plywood, to cut a rectangle, the size of the inside of the case, to make the base. By cutting along lines to crate appropiate pattern you can bend sections up or down to create the grades for the road and track sections. To keep them in place you can glue some stiffeners and legs to the under-side. To fill in the gaps and slopes I used moulded Plaster-of-Paris on sceening material (as used on sceen doors) or stiff paper.
Yes, you are guessing correctly. I was born in Berlin, but have lived most of my life in Canada. If you have ever seen a magazine on the news stands, published in Germany called Gartenbahn Profi, you will find many articles I have written and I am still writing, concerned with that large scale outdoor hobby. The mini club is very much secondary to me now. Viele Gruesse nach Hamburg
@@Landsend-Railroad Nice. I was born in California, but moved to Berlin as a young child. Have moved around in northern Germany for about 25 yrs. now. Will retire in a few yrs and would like to move back to Berlin then. I first got the idea you are a german from the postal truck in the scenery. 🥸Then I saw your "Gleisplan" with german descriptions. Your english is excellent btw. We can stick with english so more people can read my nonsense comments. ;) I won't bother you much though. I think I got everything to get started with my suitcase, but may ask if I get stuck. Thanks again for your replies. I wish you well.
I don't really have that problem (not yet, lucky I guess, at almost 84). Still, I elected to change over to G gauge. I love to do detail work, but now on a 10 times larger scale.
When I build this Z scale (1:220) train set the first Herbie movie had just come out. I could not resist and hand painted the little beetle, the stripes and even the number was done with a very tiny brush. The whole car is less than half an inch long. I am glad you picked that up.
@@Landsend-Railroad I'm glad you replied. I'm doing something in about the same scale (1:200). I'll let you know if it ever becomes anything. Meanwhile... cheers!
I build that eons ago, sometime in the 80th. It really was a novel idea at the time, long before anyone else had anything of the kind. Thanks for your favorable comment.
I saw one of these As a kid in a hobby shop in Birmingham Alabama in 1992 for almost $800 I've wanted one ever since maybe in another 20 years I'll build me one too lol
Amazing that you can still recall this. I built mine a couple of years before the commercial ones came out. I guess that really makes it a classic. Yet. if someone offered me $800, I may just sell it. I appreciate your comment. Thank you.
All the components inside brief case are able to be safe and not crushed when closed. Mike 77 year young wanna be Z-scale enthusiast. Prince George B.C. CANADA.
Yes indeed, everything in the briefcase, including the batteries and electronics, is secure and stays in place when the case is closed. The only exception is the train itself. I do remove it before closing and transporting the case. I am 88 years young and still work on my train hobbys. If you need help becoming a Z-scale enthusiast let me know. Maybe I can help.
Astonishing across the board. I couldn't imagine the time and patience needed to complete this. I wish it was mine. So nicely fitted in that case. I like how it speeds up and down gradually and the scenery, wow. Someone remarked "imagine the expression on a thiefs face that stole it'". I would hope that such a person gets squished by a real train on the way home.
I enjoyed your comments. This "Train-to-Go" took a little planning to make it happen, but mostly it was a fun project. The momentum control was a side issue, however, it was needed. These very small engines start and stop very abruptly. I too wondered about that "Thief's face" comment.
You suspected correctly. I did use about 75% standard track, but in several places only flextrack would do. The dimensions of the layout inside the case are 17 x 11 1/2 inches.
@@Landsend-Railroad Thanky very much for your quick reply. I don't know much about the hobby yet and am thinking of building this exact same track. This is the best set I've seen in this size. The weathering is excellent. Very well done! I could watch it all day. ;) Soon I hope to have my own. :D
@@Landsend-Railroad I would trade some fun for the guarantee of success. ;) I'm a complete newby, but have some experience in scale modeling, weathering etc.. So I reckon I will have a presentable result in the end. I don't have room for something stationary. Was just wondering about how to stuff the track in the suitcase with such small radii, but flextracks are the clue. If I get it done, I'll be sure to let it run on youtube, honor you for the idea and post a hint for you here. 👍 Thanks again!
I have to disappoint you. This is not a Noch briefcase. I had this idea long before even Maerklin or Noch came up with theirs, in fact Miniclub had only been on the marked for just a few years. I should have patented it. The entire set-up including the controller I scratch-built. It was very possibly the first one in existence. In fact I just looked it up. I build this mini layout in Sept 1981.
The length of track in this brief case is almost exactly 1 meter. The case measures 44.5 by 30 cm and is 10 cm high when closed. (17.5 x 12 x 4 inches)
No Problem. I went to get the measurements. The case has the outside dimensions of 44 cm by 31 cm and it has a height of 10 cm. Have fun with your project.
I am sorry, but I can not. My sizeable collection stopped growing about 20 years ago. My knowledge is therefore outdated. One big improvement Maerklin has done since, is the introduction of 5 pole motors.
The maker of miniclub trains, Maerklin in Germany, used to offer a set-up like that, with a little less detailing. I am not sure if they still do. Given a generous offer I may even sell mine.
On that flat car is a small container for bulk goods. They are quite common in Europe. At least they used to be. Introduced with the "house to house" delivery system.
@@jarritthayden453 I am not sure if Maerklin, the manufacturer of the Mini-club Gauge, is still offering an attache case like this. They used to. I build mine long before they came up with a much simpler version and ever that is quite a long time ago.
You can buy premade ones produced by Noch from many shops. Reynaulds still has them in stock. They go for $1200-2300. Includes everything except the battery and trains. Really good quality.
That's a brilliant tiny layout. Amazed at the detailing and how much is packed into the available space and height. I thought maybe the lamp posts or buildings would need removing before lowering the lid, until I saw it done at the end. Just superb! Thanks for posting, very enjoyable.
That was the whole idea. Take it wherever you go. Put the train on the track and you are ready to have fun and impress people.
Very interesting. A 3 meter x 4 meter room would easily become an empire.
You are right. I used to have a very ambitious layout, it was only 3 by 1 1/2 meters. That was already an empire. It seemed about the size of Lichtenstein.
And this is just Z scale. Imagine what you could do with T. They’re magnetically held onto the rails too so the ceiling doubles as a second layout
One of the best briefcase set ups i've seen!
Very nicely detailed and compact. Just imagine all the cool layouts we're going to see with T-scale!
imagine getting this out in a wating room somewhere , when everyone else is looking at there smart phones ...lol
It would probably raise some eyebrows. But then again, most everyone is so enslaved to their smart phone, they may not even notice.
Can you imagine the look on that thief who risked two lives to steal that briefcase face when he open it up?
Score of the century. It’s the loot that keeps on giving all year round.
AWESOME!!!!! Love that Herbie VW!!! Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
It quite small at 1:220. The stripes and numbers are hand painted. Thanks for commenting.
Amazing! That's too cute. I was surprised the top cleared everything inside so easy.
Thank you for the comment. It took a bit of fiddling to get it all within the height restriction.
Stunning , well done a true masterpiece
Hello again. I've started my suitcase train. I was surprised to find the exact same station and the farm houses to build. I couldn't find the other house, but found something of similar size. A store for organic food. I also found the bridge (10cm wide). I see the street seems to be level and the rest is built up or hollowed out (creek). Got the same tunnel faces, but have problems finding the proper walls after the tunnel. Cars, figures and such can wait for now. Must get some foam to work with and lay the track. That should be the most difficult part. I always come back to enjoy your suitcase train.👍 Checked how far I can bend flextrack and still have a car roll around the turn today. Works fine. Thanks again for showing this.
Hello,
I wish you success on your project. There is one bit of help I like to offer. When I built mine I used door-skin, that is 1/8 thickness plywood, to cut a rectangle, the size of the inside of the case, to make the base. By cutting along lines to crate appropiate pattern you can bend sections up or down to create the grades for the road and track sections. To keep them in place you can glue some stiffeners and legs to the under-side. To fill in the gaps and slopes I used moulded Plaster-of-Paris on sceening material (as used on sceen doors) or stiff paper.
@@Landsend-Railroad Thankyou for your advice. Any help is welcome! Do you happen to be from Germany? Me in Hamburg.
Yes, you are guessing correctly. I was born in Berlin, but have lived most of my life in Canada. If you have ever seen a magazine on the news stands, published in Germany called Gartenbahn Profi, you will find many articles I have written and I am still writing, concerned with that large scale outdoor hobby. The mini club is very much secondary to me now.
Viele Gruesse nach Hamburg
@@Landsend-Railroad Nice. I was born in California, but moved to Berlin as a young child. Have moved around in northern Germany for about 25 yrs. now. Will retire in a few yrs and would like to move back to Berlin then. I first got the idea you are a german from the postal truck in the scenery. 🥸Then I saw your "Gleisplan" with german descriptions. Your english is excellent btw. We can stick with english so more people can read my nonsense comments. ;) I won't bother you much though. I think I got everything to get started with my suitcase, but may ask if I get stuck. Thanks again for your replies. I wish you well.
@@RackwitzG Of course I will help you whereever I can. And I wish you well too. I would love to see the end result of your efforts.
Makes me wish my arthritis would go away. Great modeling beyond my "grasp." Thanks.
I don't really have that problem (not yet, lucky I guess, at almost 84). Still, I elected to change over to G gauge. I love to do detail work, but now on a 10 times larger scale.
Arthritis is caused by a lack of boron in your diet
Incredible, so much in such a small space..
It can only be done with MiniClub Z Scale, 1:220 and a good pair of tweezers.
This is just wonderful. I loved seeing the Love Bug! All the best to you.
When I build this Z scale (1:220) train set the first Herbie movie had just come out. I could not resist and hand painted the little beetle, the stripes and even the number was done with a very tiny brush. The whole car is less than half an inch long. I am glad you picked that up.
@@Landsend-Railroad I'm glad you replied. I'm doing something in about the same scale (1:200). I'll let you know if it ever becomes anything. Meanwhile... cheers!
if i wound up in a rest home , I've been a longtime model rail fan, this would be the way to go for me.
You have a point. Maybe I should be thinking that way too. Thanks for your thoughts.
This is the coolest! I think you did an amazing job! Thanks for sharing!
I build that eons ago, sometime in the 80th. It really was a novel idea at the time, long before anyone else had anything of the kind. Thanks for your favorable comment.
I saw one of these As a kid in a hobby shop in Birmingham Alabama in 1992 for almost $800 I've wanted one ever since maybe in another 20 years I'll build me one too lol
Amazing that you can still recall this. I built mine a couple of years before the commercial ones came out. I guess that really makes it a classic. Yet. if someone offered me $800, I may just sell it. I appreciate your comment. Thank you.
Man that’s frunking epic.
This train set is epic to the max I would like to get one my self
They have been offered commercially. When I build mine 40 years ago the idea was unique and all my own.
You can buy them on ZScaleHobo website for 900 to 1600 dollar.
That’s so cool!! Very creative
All the components inside brief case are able to be safe and not crushed when closed. Mike 77 year young wanna be Z-scale enthusiast. Prince George B.C. CANADA.
Yes indeed, everything in the briefcase, including the batteries and electronics, is secure and stays in place when the case is closed. The only exception is the train itself. I do remove it before closing and transporting the case. I am 88 years young and still work on my train hobbys. If you need help becoming a Z-scale enthusiast let me know. Maybe I can help.
Wunderschöne kleine Welt
So kann man es wohl nennen, und wenn man genug davon hat macht man einfach die Klappe zu. Schoenen Dank fuer die netten Worte
Astonishing across the board. I couldn't imagine the time and patience needed to complete this. I wish it was mine. So nicely fitted in that case. I like how it speeds up and down gradually and the scenery, wow. Someone remarked "imagine the expression on a thiefs face that stole it'". I would hope that such a person gets squished by a real train on the way home.
I enjoyed your comments. This "Train-to-Go" took a little planning to make it happen, but mostly it was a fun project. The momentum control was a side issue, however, it was needed. These very small engines start and stop very abruptly. I too wondered about that "Thief's face" comment.
Very interesting Z Gauge!
I got caught up in it. That was when I build that briefcase layout, about 35 years ago.
@@Landsend-Railroad Thanks for notices - It is 35 years ago but looks new! With my compliments
How small!
Nice curve.
One or two sidings would make it even more interesting but even without sidings this is a beautiful layout 🤩😍
You are probably right. I shall think of adding a siding. Thanks for you comment.
That's a nice cunning little toy... I want one 😍😎😋😊😉
True, they are toys, but still quite respectable in their detail. You are right, you should have one.
So real and fun.
...nice scenerie
Thank you. I just love to do detail work.
I tried to draw this layout with a configuration programm. The Märklin standard tracks don't fit. Did you use flextracks? What size is the base?
You suspected correctly. I did use about 75% standard track, but in several places only flextrack would do. The dimensions of the layout inside the case are 17 x 11 1/2 inches.
@@Landsend-Railroad Thanky very much for your quick reply. I don't know much about the hobby yet and am thinking of building this exact same track. This is the best set I've seen in this size. The weathering is excellent. Very well done! I could watch it all day. ;) Soon I hope to have my own. :D
@@RackwitzG It is a fun project. I wish you a lot of fun doing it. Should you ever put it up on TH-cam, let me know, I would love to see it.
@@Landsend-Railroad I would trade some fun for the guarantee of success. ;) I'm a complete newby, but have some experience in scale modeling, weathering etc.. So I reckon I will have a presentable result in the end. I don't have room for something stationary. Was just wondering about how to stuff the track in the suitcase with such small radii, but flextracks are the clue. If I get it done, I'll be sure to let it run on youtube, honor you for the idea and post a hint for you here. 👍 Thanks again!
Is this an original Noch briefcase layout?
The controller looks very old.
It runs better then my new Noch case!
I have to disappoint you. This is not a Noch briefcase. I had this idea long before even Maerklin or Noch came up with theirs, in fact Miniclub had only been on the marked for just a few years. I should have patented it. The entire set-up including the controller I scratch-built. It was very possibly the first one in existence. In fact I just looked it up. I build this mini layout in Sept 1981.
Very nice.
What is the size of the lauout?
The outside dimensions of the closed briefcase are 17 x 12 x 4 inches.
How much are the locos themselfs?
Absolutely Amazing! May I ask, how long would you need in track, would you say to recreate something like this in Z gauge with the same track plan?
The length of track in this brief case is almost exactly 1 meter. The case measures 44.5 by 30 cm and is 10 cm high when closed. (17.5 x 12 x 4 inches)
You can just buy a Noch one already made.
@@kishascape they cost over $1000USD, though!
Wonderful!
wow that is quite clever and how did u do that
unbelievable ! :)
What did you do for your bridge?
The pieces I used come from a plastic kit made for N scale.
Giant Z Scale in a executive briefcase. How much $ ?
30 years ago, when I built this it cost me about $ 250.-, including the train and the briefcase. Now, I would guess the cost has more then doubled.
Hey, Amazing layout! I wonder if you could remember the size of this case since I am looking to make a z gauge railway.
No Problem. I went to get the measurements. The case has the outside dimensions of 44 cm by 31 cm and it has a height of 10 cm. Have fun with your project.
@@Landsend-Railroad Thanks!
What is the radius of the outer curves?
The outer curves have a radius of 140 mm. It has a tighter section in the top right corner at 110 mm. The train is in that section at 0:43.
Thanks! The z gauge modelers say that the trains require 195 mm curves but your suitcase layout clearly disproves that.@@Landsend-Railroad
The wider radius is certainly indicated for the newer and longer models. The ones I run on the brief case are quite short.
Nice train 👍
Your N Gauge empire is very nice too.
Where did you get your case from?
It is so long age, I forgot, but every place where they sell office supplies they sell brief- or attache cases. All of what is inside I build myself.
Hello. Have you seen more shipping prices to Spain? greetings.
A shipping cost of $ 440.-- is the lowest I could find. That makes a total of $ 1, 250.--. How would you pay for this? I need a mailing address.
@@Landsend-Railroad Does a bank transfer charge a lot of tax for 1250$?
You have to inquire at your local bank how much they charge to tranfer money to a canadian bank. There are no taxes involved.@@a741976
@@Landsend-Railroad Se puede pagar por paypal?
@@Landsend-Railroad I am waiting for a response from my bank.
Nice can you recommend the best z scale to buy
I am sorry, but I can not. My sizeable collection stopped growing about 20 years ago. My knowledge is therefore outdated. One big improvement Maerklin has done since, is the introduction of 5 pole motors.
where can I buy it ?
The maker of miniclub trains, Maerklin in Germany, used to offer a set-up like that, with a little less detailing. I am not sure if they still do. Given a generous offer I may even sell mine.
Super massa, muito bom.
This is sick....I love it! What is the 2nd car? Looks like an atomic bomb.
On that flat car is a small container for bulk goods. They are quite common in Europe. At least they used to be. Introduced with the "house to house" delivery system.
cool :)
This is amazing! Now try running big American diesel locos on it lol!
I don't have a Dash-8 or anything that big to try, but an F-7 runs just fine on this layout.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can I buy this?
It is one of a kind. And, no, it is not for sale.
@@Landsend-Railroad they actually sell those types
@@jarritthayden453 I am not sure if Maerklin, the manufacturer of the Mini-club Gauge, is still offering an attache case like this. They used to. I build mine long before they came up with a much simpler version and ever that is quite a long time ago.
You can buy premade ones produced by Noch from many shops. Reynaulds still has them in stock. They go for $1200-2300. Includes everything except the battery and trains. Really good quality.
do you sell?
If the price is right
Price post a Barcelona,Spain please?@@Landsend-Railroad
Complete ready to run with plug-in controller, two build-in Li Ion batteries and a 4 piece train: Canadian $ 950,- plus shipping.
thankyou@@Landsend-Railroad
@@Landsend-Railroadand price post spain please
"Have you anything to declare Sir?"
That reminds me. I took it across the border into the USA once. The officials were very interested and had a close look (all of them).
@@Landsend-Railroad Can you let me know when you travel again? I will be behind you with two suitcases stuffed with Malt Whisky.
@@malcolmabram2957 I bet, I will get past customs easier than you will.
One last question if I may: What gauge is this? Z or N?
It is Z gauge
a lot of lip licking and smacking in the intro lol
The drawbacks of a sensitive and non directional mic 🎙
The benefits
Very well done, and I ain't talkin' steak................
And it is a medium that is rare...
OMG ! :D :D
The workers must be pissed watching the part they need to finish their job,continually going past them on the train.
Nobody has complained to me so far!?
What am I doing with my life :/
I don't know about you, but I need to work on a project that takes my full attention or the roof caves in.
Having fun obviously
@@kishascape I was hoping it was not so obvious.
Trump 2020 tiny hands!
?