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Post by jhrailroading on Jan 5, 2019 16:33:19 GMT -5
Pictured is an AZL 53’ well car that has cracking all over the metal casting that forms the car’s body. The only way I can imagine all these small cracks forming throughout the whole car body is from a defective alloy, as in the case of the GP38-2 chassis. Is this a known problem with some of the well cars? |
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Post by ProgressRail on Jan 5, 2019 17:14:40 GMT -5
No, this was not a known problem with any of the AZL well cars that I am aware of or ever was aware of; the last release of these cars in the ttx_dttx-yellow paint scheme was in 2012 I believe...it's now 2019, so this obviously wouldn't be anything new. I own multiple's of every single well car AZL has ever produced, both singles + runner-packs, and have never once seen or heard anything like this before, ever. I wouldn't believe anything like this would ever pass AZL Galactic QC....... 
Very interesting piece though...but, let's get the entire story and background on this car; my guess...you bought it "used" but the seller listed it as "new-only opened for pictures and never ran"...attempted to strip it and did a horrible job trying to re_paint; not sure if it's your lighting in the photo but, the yellow's look a bit different between the bottom cavity-bracing of the well body and the end platforms.
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Post by jhrailroading on Jan 5, 2019 19:18:22 GMT -5
Thanks Progressrail. I wasn't aware of any QC problems on these either but wanted to ask. As for the story, it is used, has all original paint, and was somehow heavily abused. I asked about any known issues just to have a heads up for the future. Glad to hear that you aren't aware of any.
On another, related topic, It appears to me that the runner packs are lettered/numbered as if they are a single articulated unit. Is that the case? I'm also curious if MCZ 53’ containers are/could be made compatible with AZL wells and containers. It seems to me that the AZL containers’ prototype isn’t seen much out west (what I'm trying to model) but is insulated for colder climates. Any insights you could provide would be great.
-Jason
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Post by ProgressRail on Jan 5, 2019 22:30:18 GMT -5
Malcolms MCZ/FR containers fit in all of the AZL well cars without any modification needed; both 53' and 40'. Since these car's are inherently light in weight, it's good practice to apply 1/4oz+ adhesive weights inside the container's [or use loctite-tak] for improved tracking/rolling momentum; the bottoms of both AZL and MCZ containers are easily installed+removable. *Another thing with these cars is to check out the platform tabs folded on the under_side of the car...they sometimes create short's coming in-contact with the metal wheel flange; remove the bolster pin & trucks...get some 1/4"-1/2"tcs kapton tape to apply over these tabs on the underside to prevent that.
AZL containers...definitely should update the mold; x-post containers are dead. It isn't an exact prototype; they are more or less what I call a hybrid model? to fill the void...it is what it is, what we get, close enough, and better than nothing kind of mentality; for example, they took our csx new_image-box car logo and simply slapped it on an x-post container...this doesn't even exist in the real world. However, their pad printing and mold end details are second to none; they just need to update to fully corrugated containers as well. X-post containers are certainly still lurking around but just not all in the reporting marks AZL gives the final-okay-on to produce; it's a generic_production_cost_thing I suppose. You could buy MCZ undecorated containers, match paint + detail, but then...then you have the wonderful issue of correct decals in 1:220 being readily available, in quantity, from the few person's with ancient alps printers, or other means, that won't disgustingly price-gouge you, let alone respond back to you...im sure you get the point.
AZL container detail isn't meant to represent a "colder climate"...assuming you are referring to the gasket/sealing detail around the container door's? This is common among the majority of container's and not a regional specific-climate thing. And yes, the cars sure are designated that way and should have drawbars...it is the case.
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Post by jhrailroading on Jan 6, 2019 11:16:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips on the MCZ containers. It would be great to see some corrugated containers from AZL in future intermodal releases. If they could tool a new top and sides and keep all the existing printing plates etc. At least I wish it would be that simple to do. The detail on AZL containers is highly impressive. It’s just too bad they aren’t corrugated.
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Post by dazed on Jan 6, 2019 11:43:16 GMT -5
I believe they announced 40ft corrugated containers with the announcement of the Maxi-I.
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