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Post by oneill on Mar 2, 2021 2:20:17 GMT -5
Hello,
I recently purchased one of the AZL F59PHI sets, in Amtrak California colors. I really want to like this set, and the locomotive is incredible. My issue has been with the passenger cars. They frequently derail while going through my Marklin switches, and occasionally tip over while going through sharp curves. The couplers also are difficult for me to latch, although that would be less of an issue if they didn’t derail so often. I was wondering if anyone had any advice, or had similar experiences.
I’ve noticed there is quite a bit of side to side play in the trucks, which may be contributing to the issues I am experiencing.
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Post by Commodore on Mar 3, 2021 11:31:59 GMT -5
Crickets...
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Post by Kez on Mar 3, 2021 13:13:31 GMT -5
At one time, a long time ago, AZL offered replacement chassis for these commuter train passenger cars, but I'm pretty sure that issue was fixed before the sets available now were released. In case Rob Kluz has not yet seen this post, you should send him an email.
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Post by BAZman on Mar 3, 2021 14:06:06 GMT -5
Gees Commodore, not all of us have e-mail and forums attached to our ears and eyes. I for one don't reply on the phone, when it gets too long of a reply, needs links, references, pictures, etc.
Oneill,
These sets were essentially on of the first AZL (Rail Miniatures) released way back early 2000.
The individual cars have body-mounted couplers. This creates issues with small radii curves, even more so when transitioning from straight to curve and worst when going through a 'crossover' (2 turnout/switches on parallel track.
On small radii (typical Z scale 195/220mm), the couplers attached to the ends of the cars 'pull' the cars outside the radius that the trucks are running. Physically, this is correct on a real railroad but with these small scales, light weight, top heavy and truck bolsters (center of truck where it attaches to the body), it doesn't always work. In general, they do run well. I usually run them in 'push mode' (backwards) at shows although I run at least 270mm radius track.
With Z scale, all the track is straight or curves. When running a train with body mount couplers, they wont follow each other when the first car goes into the curve. It trailing coupler with start to swing outward while the car it connected to is still going straight (coupled more inside). This differential can create enough force to derail. This effect is very noticeable in a crossover ('S' curve, with out straight in between) as one cars coupler goes one way and the other the opposite way.
And if on the 145mm radius (those small premade layouts: NO
Make sure the couplers have at least simple free side-to-side movement. They won't far, 1mm or so, just make sure the don't have noticeable snags or stiffer than another.
Check the trucks, they should freely move. Tap either end of the truck and should freely go to the other side.
The wheels (axles) should freely roll with a flip of your finger tip.
The couplers are solid so you have to pick them up and over to couple the cars. These were years ahead of the AutoLatch® now sold.
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Post by Commodore on Mar 3, 2021 14:18:16 GMT -5
Thanks, Jeff!
I'm camped out here... waiting on the AAR F7 announcement that Rob A. had hinted at...
Glad you helped!
(You know stuff, I just buy stuff...)
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Post by shamoo737 on Mar 3, 2021 17:28:57 GMT -5
I don’t think the Surfliners were part of the chassis replacement. They were released after the Bombardiers.
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Post by zscalehobo on Mar 3, 2021 18:28:02 GMT -5
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Post by domi on Mar 7, 2021 5:50:45 GMT -5
Myself I have purchased one of these very first sets, when they were released in the beginning of the years 2000. What I then noticed, was locomotive and car's axles were not correctly gauged, regarding my MTL #920 track gauge. If I correctly remember, AZL solved this issue on their brand new stuff starting circa 2008 or 2009. All stuff released before needs to be checked, and eventually regauged. Maybe it's an explanation about cars derailing on Marklin turnouts.
Dom
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