Professor Zagal is also a man of many talents: he sings and plays several instruments, including the guitar and the scottish bagpipes. He also writes poetry, paints and draws cartoons. He played Caiphas in the Opera Rock Jesus Christ Superstar in the early 70s.  He has been a volunteer firemen with the 14th British and Commonwealth Fire & Rescue Company in Santiago since 1972 and is also the official piper of his company. Some of his caricatures have been published in the magazine “Interface” of the Electrochemical Society and in the Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society.  He is a devoted train enthusiast.  He has built large replicas or working steam locomotive and full size freight wagons. He also collects full size railway items including 12 wagons and 2 locomotives, one steam and an electric locomotive. With other enthusiasts he started in the 80s the "Chilean Association for the Preservation of the Railways". With two other enthusiasts he owns the "Puangue Station" which is one of the few preserved railway stations in rural areas.