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Post by neverland on May 22, 2018 7:26:16 GMT -5
To anyone's knowledge, do any US Z manufacturers make a switcher? I've seen etched brass kits (no thank you) but no one except Marklin's European lined appear to make them.
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Post by Kez on May 22, 2018 8:18:56 GMT -5
One of our manufacturers has something in development (not previously produced). Don't go holding your breath or anything, but there WILL be a US style switcher loco available eventually. Just not sure when yet.......
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Post by BAZman on May 22, 2018 10:54:37 GMT -5
Yeah, that's the one BIG drawback of Z scale, no switchers.
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Post by ProgressRail on May 22, 2018 12:31:01 GMT -5
Yes...if you are modeling a contemporary/modern era; both AZL and MTL. A lot of SD40-2's and GP38's are designated as yard and/or local power...or today's-switcher if you prefer; typically in pairs or one off [simply put: for hp/tractive effort/engine failure/dynamics, if equipped/etc.]...even use road_power sometimes [ET44/ES44/AC4400/SD70 and so on...] to switch with if nothing else is available in the yard or hasn't been set-off from another train yet...but not all rail can stress 6-axle units. Many EMD's have been re-built-purposed/upgraded into xxxx-"3's" though and, are outfitted for RCO; some retain a front plow, some don't, some get added, other's don't [use blma detail kits and styrene]. MP15's and GP40's would be very useful in Z as well.
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Post by neverland on May 22, 2018 12:45:31 GMT -5
Yes...if you are modeling a contemporary/modern era; both AZL and MTL. A lot of SD40-2's and GP38's are designated as yard and/or local power...or today's-switcher if you prefer; typically in pairs or one off [simply put: for hp/tractive effort/engine failure/dynamics, if equipped/etc.]...even use road_power sometimes [ET44/ES44/AC4400/SD70 and so on...] to switch with if nothing else is available in the yard or hasn't been set-off from another train yet...but not all rail can stress 6-axle units. Many EMD's have been re-built-purposed/upgraded into xxxx-"3's" though and, are outfitted for RCO; some retain a front plow, some don't, some get added, other's don't [use blma detail kits and styrene]. MP15's and GP40's would be very useful in Z as well. Yeah, I can't wrap my mind around using my GP38-2 or GP40 as switchers. Just does t get it for me.
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Post by domi on May 23, 2018 5:17:23 GMT -5
Yes...if you are modeling a contemporary/modern era; both AZL and MTL. A lot of SD40-2's and GP38's are designated as yard and/or local power...or today's-switcher if you prefer; typically in pairs or one off [simply put: for hp/tractive effort/engine failure/dynamics, if equipped/etc.]...even use road_power sometimes [ET44/ES44/AC4400/SD70 and so on...] to switch with if nothing else is available in the yard or hasn't been set-off from another train yet...but not all rail can stress 6-axle units. Many EMD's have been re-built-purposed/upgraded into xxxx-"3's" though and, are outfitted for RCO; some retain a front plow, some don't, some get added, other's don't [use blma detail kits and styrene]. MP15's and GP40's would be very useful in Z as well. And let’s not forget good old GP7s and 9s, many of whom nowadays beeing used as switchers and spur power. Dom
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Post by BAZman on May 23, 2018 13:16:33 GMT -5
Guess the SW/NW and Ton'ers are just goats but more of what I'm looking for. Maybe an H or RS.
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Post by neverland on May 23, 2018 15:42:40 GMT -5
I just bought an HO SW1500 Southern Railway "cow & calf" to run in the train yard of my train club. It would be sweet to have it in Z. 😕
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2018 17:02:17 GMT -5
A switcher is only of interest if one can really ... switch (or for collectors, or displaying on a yard). You should have only Magne-Matic couplers on Your roster, and replace if necessary (and possible). AZL locos (and cars ? ), and some FT (older ? ) cars are not equipped : I have both (available) pairs of 33' NYC Rib-Side Hoppers (FT), one has Magne-Matic couplers, the second pair hasn't ; some knuckle couplers (FT) don't even couple automatically, one car "pushes" the other one, like in the "AutoLatch" video .
And I think that on many local railroads (like mine) the loco stays in front of the train if the (un)loading process is not too long, I can live with that compromise ; all the way, with (gravel) hoppers, "someone" must maneuver the train if a (small) gravel or construction society has no own switcher (Hope that my automatic detection of the rear graphited axles will work ! ) For myself, my first concern is ... that the cars STAY COUPLED, especially when they are pushed into a freight track or are pulled out of it : what are finally the effects of the magnets in the Rokuhan turnouts ? I remember them lifting my hoppers when I put neodyme magnets inside to activate reed-switches. In the worst case I will remove the magnetic wire and convert to simple knuckle couplers ...
Now, if You are absolutely looking for a switcher, You can find a shell (unpainted, and without any indication about chassis) at Shapeways here, here or there, or there (cannot be motorized, only display), and finally here, here ( here) and there, and here (static).
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Post by siddyz on Jun 20, 2018 7:57:03 GMT -5
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Post by siddyz on Jun 20, 2018 7:57:47 GMT -5
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Post by siddyz on Jun 20, 2018 7:58:29 GMT -5
ONE MORE
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Post by cwrr on Jun 20, 2018 9:42:08 GMT -5
Beautiful locos!! That's some quality work right there!
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Post by siddyz on Jun 20, 2018 14:26:56 GMT -5
Another Gerard Huet Switcher
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Post by siddyz on Jun 20, 2018 14:31:34 GMT -5
This Huet Z scale switcher is really are - as far as I know only 2 have ever been made. He even modified the headlight to a two light type as per the prototype.
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