|
Post by boxcarwilly on Sept 21, 2013 15:52:27 GMT -5
Rob and Rob:
Is AZL done producing Heavyweight Passenger Cars? I'm curious as to whether more cars of the other liveries will be produced. I purchase 3 different baggage cars of different liveries, and so far only one of these has had additional cars produced. I have been waiting for additional cars for the other two liveries to come out. Are these still coming or is the run finished and you've moved on to something else?
|
|
|
Post by Rob Albritton on Sept 22, 2013 21:29:50 GMT -5
More are coming - probably in about 6 months.
|
|
|
Post by boxcarwilly on Sept 23, 2013 10:12:31 GMT -5
Well that's a BUMMER!!!! Why the wait?
|
|
|
Post by markm on Sept 25, 2013 10:11:32 GMT -5
Well that's a BUMMER!!!! Why the wait? I suspect AZL just might be a bit busy with Gp7s, GP9s and F3s. Although I have to agree with that I would like to see more heavyweights sooner rather than later. Of course maybe Rob(A) and company need a bit of encouragement: Pullman Green. Gold, Railroad Gothic lettering. Western Pacific's 300-series, which I believe was 25-30 units, but from the image we can be safe with 15. Trucks are NOT OEM and painting over the "office" window would be at AZLs discretion. I'd like 6 roadnumbers. Mark
|
|
|
Post by boxcarwilly on Sept 25, 2013 10:49:01 GMT -5
It's still a BUMMER! :-(
|
|
|
Post by gprose on Oct 6, 2013 19:24:17 GMT -5
I agree, it is a BUMMER. I bought the CP baggage car and the CN one in the later black/white colour scheme not knowing they were going release the black/green ones shortly after. Actually, I wonder just how many of the old heavy weight cars were actually repainted in the black/white scheme? Anyway, I would dearly love to have some CP heavy weight passenger cars to go with the lonely baggage car. Also, since I already have one, some black/white CN heavy weights to go with that car. Some GN heavy weights would be nice too. My black/green CN cars do go nicely with my CN Mikado even though the Mikado was primarily used for hauling freight.
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Oct 7, 2013 9:47:43 GMT -5
I am glad they are spreading the heavyweights over a longer period. The problem with AZL is that they flood the market with the new releases and kill the demand for that car. I like them to release a different car each month rather then release the same car for six month in a row.
|
|
|
Post by Rob Albritton on Oct 7, 2013 20:29:21 GMT -5
I am glad they are spreading the heavyweights over a longer period. The problem with AZL is that they flood the market with the new releases and kill the demand for that car. I like them to release a different car each month rather then release the same car for six month in a row. We're working on that. I think in the next year we will see better product flow as we have gotten away from the factory that has been causing us fits for the past few years. New guys are quicker with better quality for a small increase in our price. It's totally worth it.
|
|
|
Post by boxcarwilly on Oct 8, 2013 11:27:16 GMT -5
I don't think the problem with AZL is flooding the market with new releases thereby killing demand for a car, in my opinion the problem is, they don't produce enough of that car to satisfy an unexpected demand. Like gprose above, I too expected the CP and black and white CN passenger cars to be released to go with the baggage cars, and was disappointed to learn that it will likely be well into next year, if at all, before they are. This is totally unfair. But here is what's worse. When the flat car with the olive drab military load hit the market, they were sold out before I could even place an order with my online dealer. I got an email flyer from him late one night when I was asleep and the next morning when I saw it and went to order one, he was sold out. Now this to me just isn't right. Two schools of thought here; 1. Either AZL deliberately under produced this car not thinking that perhaps there might be a high demand for it, or 2. Someone got very, very greedy and snapped up every one they could find. As a result, I got nothing, and all I wanted was ONE LOUSY CAR. Also It's my understanding that AZL doesn't keep any inventory of anything they produce which in itself is not a good thing. WHY? This in itself doesn't make sense. I see they have a new flat car with a sand coloured military load, of which I have ordered ONE from my dealer, but when I get it, I'll have to paint the howitzers olive drab. I shouldn't have to do that if AZL had produced enough to go around. Perhaps they should do what Intermountain does, take pre-orders for cars they intend on producing. That way they know how many to produce, plus 10% more for the Johnny Come Lately's and for other's who want to add to their fleets down the road. But that would mean having an inventory. But, I digress. Now back to the heavyweights. If and when the rest of these passenger cars like the CP's and CN's are produced, besides myself and gprose, how many other's will be wanting them? But the bigger question is, will AZL produce enough to satisfy demand? Anyone got a crystal ball? I have a bad feeling that some of us are going to be soundly disappointed. We shall just have to wait and see. As for a newer factory and quicker production, that too we shall have to wait and see.
|
|
|
Post by ztrack on Oct 8, 2013 11:45:05 GMT -5
AZL has over 400 products in stock and ready to order! This is a substantial inventory on hand.
Last week, Ztrack Distribution rolled out a online ordering system that allows our dealer network to see all available products and current inventory levels. Every dealer has access to this site. If you have questions on what is in stock and available, contact your dealer.
Oh and by the way, still have stock of all of the 2nd run of heavyweights including the paired window coaches. Check with your dealer!
Rob
|
|
|
Post by boxcarwilly on Oct 8, 2013 14:37:52 GMT -5
Rob. I stand corrected on the inventory issue. Apparently my dealer doesn't have up to date info. But let me ask you this re: the flat car with the olive drab military load, do you have any of these in stock? If so, I will inform my dealer if he doesn't already know.
|
|
|
Post by Rob Albritton on Oct 8, 2013 14:59:04 GMT -5
Hmmm, lets pick this apart: I don't think the problem with AZL is flooding the market with new releases thereby killing demand for a car, in my opinion the problem is, they don't produce enough of that car to satisfy an unexpected demand. OK, exactly how are we supposed to satisfy demand for a particular product if it is unexpected?!?!? By definition this doesn't make any sense... Like gprose above, I too expected the CP and black and white CN passenger cars to be released to go with the baggage cars, and was disappointed to learn that it will likely be well into next year, if at all, before they are. Sorry that I was unable to meet your expectations, but we never said we were going to release the black and white passenger cars when we released the baggage car. Why? Did somebody from AZL tell you we were going to release black and white passenger cars? Or did you just assume and not ask? But here is what's worse. When the flat car with the olive drab military load hit the market, they were sold out before I could even place an order with my online dealer. I got an email flyer from him late one night when I was asleep and the next morning when I saw it and went to order one, he was sold out. OK, so because the *dealer* sold out, somehow that's the manufacture's fault? Here's an idea: try another dealer! Now this to me just isn't right. Two schools of thought here; 1. Either AZL deliberately under produced this car not thinking that perhaps there might be a high demand for it, Why would we deliberately under produce something? That's illogical! Seriously, we actually prefer to sell more of a product, not less. Sounds like the 6 year old who says "I'll punish that mean Circus: I'll buy a ticket and I WON'T GO IN!!!" or 2. Someone got very, very greedy and snapped up every one they could find. If that happened, then that guy needs some serious mental therapy. Fast. As a result, I got nothing, and all I wanted was ONE LOUSY CAR. And that does suck. We're not in this to get rich (although I would prefer that running AZL does not somehow cause me great economic harm) but we are in this to support our hobby, and our scale. We like to make sure that our fans get the products that they want. When people are disappointed because something sold out, we are not happy in the least. It's bad for our customers and it's bad for business. We will try to make more, but the load comes from somebody else, so we have to see if we *can* get more. Also It's my understanding that AZL doesn't keep any inventory of anything they produce which in itself is not a good thing. WHY? This in itself doesn't make sense. Well your understanding is incorrect, which explains why it doesn't make sense. I see they have a new flat car with a sand coloured military load, of which I have ordered ONE from my dealer, but when I get it, I'll have to paint the howitzers olive drab. I shouldn't have to do that if AZL had produced enough to go around. Yup, we did research, asked dealers and loyal customers, consulted other folks in the industry, even took a few pre-orders from dealers. But in the end, they were just more popular than anyone thought. It happens. We will try to make more. If you want it sooner, then a re-paint makes sense, but nobody is forcing you to do that except you. Perhaps they should do what Intermountain does, take pre-orders for cars they intend on producing. That way they know how many to produce, plus 10% more for the Johnny Come Lately's and for other's who want to add to their fleets down the road. But that would mean having an inventory. But, I digress. Uhhh, we actually do that already. We don't accept pre-orders from consumers, but we do take them from dealers. Oh, and we produce a lot more than 10% extra. Now back to the heavyweights. If and when the rest of these passenger cars like the CP's and CN's are produced, besides myself and gprose, how many other's will be wanting them? But the bigger question is, will AZL produce enough to satisfy demand? Anyone got a crystal ball? I have a bad feeling that some of us are going to be soundly disappointed. We shall just have to wait and see. As for a newer factory and quicker production, that too we shall have to wait and see. Great questions. Since I have considerably more at stake in trying to determine the correct number to produce, anything you can do to help is seriously welcome. I mean it. Just posting on boards, or telling your dealer what you want will help. We have excellent lines of communication with all the big ones (MB Klein, Monster, Norms, etc) Look, it's not like the Grinch is running the show over here. We actually want to make everyone happy, but do us all a favor: if you don't know something just ask. 9 times out of 10 somebody will get you an authoritative answer (if we can) and if we don't know we will say "I really don't know"! But please don't assume the worst. Believe it or not, we actually do the best we can to support our products, research the details correctly, produce as quickly as we can, go for the best quality, keep the prices low, listen to our customers, and we actually CARE about this stuff. Oh, and BTW: yes CN and GT black and white coaches and RPOs are coming BUT only the paired window coach and only the RPOs - unless you want something else, but I could not find any evidence that CN ran heavyweight sleepers with black and white "noodle" paint. If you know of pictures, send me a link. If it checks out, we will make 'em. Peace, -Rob(A) AZL
|
|
|
Post by markm on Oct 8, 2013 16:09:50 GMT -5
Willy, Rob(A), Let's drive the golden spike, preferably not into each other's foot. Willy: I find myself having to defend AZL. They're smaller than Marklin, smaller than MTL smaller than IM, yet in the past couple of years they have brought out more new cars and locos in Z than all the rest. And unlike some of the aforemention have not "deemphasized the US market" or left an E8 and an SW in the dust. They've brought out products I had not expected to ever see in Z, such as the heavy-weights. It should be expected that demand is high and shortages occur. Even Apple runs out of iPhones and they have a marketing department orders of magnitude larger than all of AZL. I share your frustrations with availability of new heavy-weights but I'm generally willing to wait (with an occasional jab). If you look at some of the other posts on the net, you'll note that AZL has but at lot of research into the heavy-weights (perhaps Rob(A) is working on a Pullman PhD) and as he noted in his post, not all the cars styles were used by the railoroads we want to model in the paint schemes we want to model. I've found that out in my own research for SP & UP. Also, I'd suggest posting a picture link or email of what you're looking for to point that research in your direction.
Rob(A): I realized AZL is an unconventional manufacterer and that includes a lot of uncertainity in product availablity, but your are rapidly becoming the gorilla in the room of new Z products. I think it would help us if there was more visibility into future products beyond brief posts you and Hans make. Walther's will tell me in their newletter about SF Chief car set that won't fulling be available for a year. If I did HO, I can plan my purchases and be relatively confident I'll have a complete consist by Sept '14. Perhaps you new manufacturing arrangements will allow to do this? As an unconventional manufacturer, perhaps youve reached a size to do some unconventation marketing? You have your site and this forum, why not involve us more in product selection? "Show us your favorite RPO" or vote on posted paint schemes. Should give more visibility into the market and considering how opinionated Z scalers can be, probably a fairly accurate representation of the market.
Just some thoughts,
Mark
|
|
|
Post by Rob Albritton on Oct 8, 2013 16:28:32 GMT -5
Mark,
Totally valid points on all fronts. We did slow down reveals on products because the old factory (Sanda Kan) was really awful at doing anything on time (or even within a year of when they promised) I'm trying to get them to deliver an order that was placed 3 years ago - no new tooling. Shameful.
Anyway, because of that, we switched to holding announcements until the product was on the boat mentality. Our new factory is getting better, so I think its fair to involve the community earlier in the process.
With that in mind: I'm getting ready to do some more road names for HW. What is your LEAST favorite? (That's a harder question for most guys, but super important for planning because one stinker ruins the whole lot)
GN (Empire Builder Pullman Green) Wabash (Blue) Nickel Plate (Pullman Green) Chicago & Northwestern (Either Yellow/Green or Pullman Green - don't know yet) Southern Pacific (Pullman Green) Southern (Pullman Green) L&N (Blue) Burlington (Green) Rio Grande (Silver & Orange) Milwaukee (Red/Orange) Northern Pacific (Two tone green or Pullman Green - havn't decided yet) CP (Maroon) C&O (Yellow/Blue) MoPac (Eagle blue / white) ACL (Green)
That does NOT mean we are going to make all of these! Just those are the ones under consideration.
What do you like? Not Like?
Best, -Rob(A) AZL
|
|
|
Post by tjdreams on Oct 8, 2013 18:49:10 GMT -5
Well since you asked As for my LEAST favorite HW, I would have to say. --Chicago & Northwestern ( Pullman Green ) I'm ok with the (Yellow/Green)
But my Favorite HW would be --C&O (Yellow/Blue)
I love the C&O Baggage cars you did. I'll go as far as to say that if you do, Do a run of C&O Heavyweight's, I would like to be the first to put my reservation in for one of each Road # for each Body style.
David
|
|