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Post by ztrack on May 17, 2020 13:44:53 GMT -5
AZL is offering to customers who have first generation GP38-s an opportunity to upgrade the chassis and running gear to the current 2020 chassis. The 2020 chassis features an upgraded split frame chassis, improved motor, AZL standard PCB, and newer trucks. This program is only for first generation GP38-s. To be eligible for the program, customers are to place their order online via www.azldirect.com. Once the order is placed, the customer will be required to return the original chassis, including motor, and trucks. For those with a damaged chassis, this program covers those chassis as well. Return the chassis including motor and trucks to the following address: Ztrack Distribution c/o AZL Chassis Exchange 6142 Northcliff Blvd Dublin, OH 43016 DO NOT RETURN THE SHELL Upon receipt of the chassis, AZL will send the replacement chassis to the customer. The replacement cost includes domestic shipping to US addresses. International replacement cost is higher to accommodate for the increased shipping charges. The following replacement packages and eligible locomotives are:  62599-1 Black fuel tank and black trucks GP38-2 Chassis Eligible locos: BN 62502 BNSF 62503 CN 62504 CP 62505 CSX 62506 NS 62507 SOO 62510 MILW 62511 GTW 62512 Undec 62513  62599-2 Grey Fuel Tank & Grey Trucks GP38-2 Chassis Eligible locos: SP 62501 UP 62508  62599-3 Black Fuel Tank & Silver Trucks GP38-2 Chassis Eligible loco: ATSF 62509 |
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Post by matthaun on May 17, 2020 14:02:24 GMT -5
Thanks Rob for the update! Do you think shells will ever be available as a single item? Would be nice to just swap out shells instead of buying a new locomotive each time.
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Post by theprez on May 17, 2020 14:55:56 GMT -5
Interesting Rob, but couldn't the shipping cost be optimize sending more GP-38s at once?
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Post by Curn on May 17, 2020 14:59:00 GMT -5
So I have a SP Don Bouchard GP38 purchased late in that schemes availability. The chassis appears to be in good condition an runs well. I assume you wouldn’t recommend replacement of a non-problematic chassis. I got it from a supplier that direct ships from AZL, and it came with pilot inserts. As far as I can tell, the chassis looks identical to the new version. Besides a cracked frame, is there a way to tell the original chassis from the new version?
Matt
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Post by ztrack on May 17, 2020 15:14:11 GMT -5
Matt we never swapped chassis with new versions. So all frames from the locos listed would be first generation. Not all chassis will be affected by the degradation that we have seen on a select number. So you may be good to go. But we are offering these to all owners of first generation GP38s should you want to upgrade to the newer version.
Rob
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Post by mgatdog on May 17, 2020 17:37:29 GMT -5
Rob
Your site down?
Azldirect.com.
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Post by dazed on May 17, 2020 17:46:42 GMT -5
Thanks for doing this. Worth that price to refresh the locos and minimize the chances of problems going forward. I especially appreciate doing the different fuel tanks and trucks.
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Post by cwrr on May 17, 2020 19:15:55 GMT -5
I have two Milw GP38's, how can I tell if I have the 1st gen frame? Anything specific I should look for, I've never even ran mine yet!!
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Post by ztrack on May 17, 2020 19:37:45 GMT -5
Again please see the list of locos above. All of these are 1st generation. If you have these, you have the original frames. The site is: www.azldirect.comI just checked and it is up! Rob |
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Post by ugeesta on May 18, 2020 10:20:06 GMT -5
Good Morning Rob.
I have one of the UP units with frame failure we we had a discussion about it a couple years back here. A new frame side was shipped out but it did not match the original frame.
That said, we moved last year and now I can’t seem to find the old chassis. I don’t think I threw it out but it was not in the box’s of all my train stuff. I’d be happy so send it back once I find it.
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Post by Commodore on May 18, 2020 12:07:08 GMT -5
But we are offering these to all owners of first generation GP38s should you want to upgrade to the newer version. Rob ALL of us appreciate that!! |
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zjoop
New Member
Posts: 39 
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Post by zjoop on May 18, 2020 12:15:49 GMT -5
Looks nice but for only $15 dollars more I have a complete new locomotive.... Maybe not the ATSF version but nevertheless.
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Post by cwrr on May 18, 2020 14:45:42 GMT -5
Again please see the list of locos above. All of these are 1st generation. If you have these, you have the original frames. The site is: www.azldirect.comI just checked and it is up! Rob Thanks again, Rob and AZL! I'll get my two packed up and ready to ship. |
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Post by dazed on May 18, 2020 15:49:15 GMT -5
Looks nice but for only $15 dollars more I have a complete new locomotive.... Yes, a complete new one that might be days (minutes?) away from crumbling in your hands. And if you're talking the new post-2016 "non-crumbling" version, then you don't need to (and can't) upgrade anyway. And, besides the shell, it *is* a complete new locomotive. (at least that is what they are advertising.) That's sort of the rub though, right? That's kinda important for those of us with ATSF locos, or UP, et al. Otherwise you're color matching paint, etc. Can it be done, sure. Is it worth $40 to avoid that headache...yep, to me it is. (obviously the extra $45 international shipping charge stings a bit and might make it more of a decision point...totally get that.) |
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Post by zdave on May 18, 2020 18:49:51 GMT -5
Thanks for doing this. Worth that price to refresh the locos and minimize the chances of problems going forward. I especially appreciate doing the different fuel tanks and trucks. Yes, absolutely. I'll be upgrading three GP38-2's. It'll be worth it to keep these marvelous little workhorses in my fleet. |
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