A new name is about to be added to the Z Scale lexicon: Rokuhan. Get used to this name; I'm probably going to be making references to it with greater frequency. And I have a feeling a lot of other Z scalers will also.
Who is Rokuhan? They're a Japanese model manufacturing company, and the reason I predict they'll become a (Z scaler's) household name is because, among other things, they're introducing a new line of roadbed track. And there are many reasons to keep an eye on this company and in particular this product line.
For starters, the track will be largely compatible with the existing Micro-Trains Micro-Track roadbed line. (Incidentally, Crown and RealZJ also make cross-compatible roadbed track, but with even fewer options than Micro-Trains.) Furthermore, Rokuhan's switches have precisely the same geometry as those from Micro-Trains—in other words, they're drop-in replacements.
But there are two massively significant reasons this announcement is of such importance.
First, the switches have
built-in switch machines. That's right, the machines are integrated right into the roadbed
and they're
completely invisible. This offers the tremendous advantage of being able to use powered switches in
any track configuration. Plus, they're power-routing: this means, for example, you can store locomotives on sidings without any extra wiring to shut the sidings down.
And second, their track line includes not two, not three, but
nine curve radii. Now, granted, some of them aren't very useful; R095 (95mm radius) track might be fine for traction lines, but not for typical railroads. However, there are
two radii
larger than Micro-Track "large" (R220) curves:
R245 and
R270.
In addition to all of this, Rokuhan is also launching the line with 55mm straights (half-length), bumper tracks, and an assortment of accessories, from throttles with built-in switch controllers to track spacing clips that keep parallel tracks parallel. Plus, in just a few months from now you can expect to see 13-degree crossings, different switches, and many other new items—even
flexible roadbed track!
It should be easy to see why this new product line is going to be a veritable boon to Z scale modelers, because track plans can now be far more complex, interesting and natural-looking owing to the many options. That said, in the interest of full disclosure, I must reveal this new product line's one major weakness: tie spacing. It matches that of Märklin track, and not Micro-Trains. All the same, with some paint and/or re-ballasting, I believe it won't be all that objectionable. Anyway, I'd trade cosmetics for the greatly-expanded track planning options any day.
If you're as anxious to see these products in person as I am, rest assured the line will be imported into North America in the next month or so; some red tape must be sorted out first, so be patient. If you'd like to keep your finger on Rokuhan's pulse, Garth Hamilton has a
web page devoted to them.
Without doubt I think this is the biggest news in Z scale since Tenshodo's fabulous
Japanese steam locomotive!
