Who makes what in Z scale?

Just getting into the hobby, this is a question I found I was asking all the time. So, I guess I'll use this page to document products available, current and past. A good shopping guide is my hope.

Locomotives

Steam

  • 0-6-0 saddle tanker - 30062 - aspenmodel - $176/$725 uses marklin 8800 mechanism
  • 2-6-0 mogul - 88035 - marklin
  • 4-6-0 ten wheeler - 30031/30032 - aspenmodel / westmodel - $290/$1100 kit/RT, uses marklin BR 38 mechanism
  • 4-6-4 Hudson - 30030 - aspenmodel - available as either a kit or RTR, uses Marklin 8885 mechanism or similar (not available?) $280/$1100
  • 12 wheel tender - 30034 - aspenmodel $140/$280 kit/rtr
    Vanderbilt tender 3033 - aspenmodel - $200/$350 kit/rtr

Diesel

  • F7 - marklin - not great runners or looks?? is B unit powered? Santa Fe 88606 is era 3, NLS, no powered B units
  • F7 - MT - many out of production, A unit mold broken, B unit mold getting old.
  • SD70 - AZL - 
  • GP-35 - MT
  • GP-7 AZL
  • GP-9 - MT
  • SD-40 - MT
  • SD -40 AZL
  • GE44

Electric

Other

 

 Freight Cars

Marklin makes a few usa prototypes - comments?

 

Passenger Cars

Heavyweights

sleeper car -  AZL late 2010
paired window coach - AZL 2011
pullman - MT

Streamliners

Marklin makes them. .. need comment on ease to change couplers, trucks, wheels\

Capitol limited
Atlantic Coast
Pennsy
87848 Santa Fe (set available, ERA 4) 6 cars, baggage, obs, dome, diner, pullman, duplex sleeper

MT makes 

alaska
gn
illinois central
pennsy
rock island
sp
up baggage

Other rolling stock

 Rio Grande Southern logging caboose, skeleton log car - aspenmodel

 

Manufacturers:

 

Micro-Trains, originally part of Kadee, owned by 2 brothers, split to 2 companies, Kadee (HO and larger), and Micro-Trains Z & N

In 2025 MT announced that there were issues and was stopping production.

In November 2025:

Atlas Model Railroad Company Acquires Assets of Micro-Trains Line Co.
Talent, OR — November 19, 2025 — Micro-Trains Line Company, Inc. announced today that it has been acquired by Atlas Model Railroad Co, which includes substantially all assets of Micro-Trains Line Co., the Talent, Oregon-based manufacturer renowned for its precision N and Z scale model trains and couplers. The transaction marks a significant expansion of Atlas’s manufacturing and product development capabilities within the U.S. hobby industry.
Under the agreement, Atlas will assume ownership of Micro-Trains’ molds, tooling, and associated intellectual property, ensuring continued production of the brand’s hallmark products. Production will transition into Atlas’s global manufacturing and supply network, ensuring continued availability and consistent quality standards worldwide.
Eric D. Smith, President of Micro-Trains Line Co., added: “Our family and team are proud of what Micro-Trains has meant to hobbyists everywhere. Atlas’s commitment to excellence and long-term investment in the model railroad community makes them the right partner to continue our story.”
Both companies emphasized that the integration will focus on preserving the authenticity of Micro-Trains’ designs while leveraging Atlas’s engineering, logistics, production capabilities to broaden innovation and future product offerings."
Smith also wants to thank our industry counterparts, many of whom we have worked so closely with making this hobby a true enjoyment to be part of. And a very special thank you to the model railroad consumers; your interest and patronage of our model trains is much appreciated.
Micro-Trains in Talent, OR. will continue to accept and process orders until our finished model train single car releases, multi-packs, trucks, couplers tools and accessories are sold out. This includes our December releases.
In closing, we once again extend our sincerest thanks to all, and wish everyone great success in all your future endeavors.

 

Where to buy?

Ztrack: https://ztrackcenter.com/index.php?route=common/home

Z Scale Hobo: https://www.zscalehobo.com/

Frank Daniels This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

 

 

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