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Post by mrkzl1 on Mar 2, 2024 13:25:56 GMT -5
Union Pacific EMD DDA40X - So this question is for the bosses of course. Has there ever been talk about producing this monster of a locomotive? With how detailed and amazing the locomotives being produced have been, this unit would be in my opinion one of the best if made. Maybe even put duel motors in it...I mean it is two locos in one after all.
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Post by louiez on Mar 2, 2024 15:26:20 GMT -5
Union Pacific EMD DDA40X - So this question is for the bosses of course. Has there ever been talk about producing this monster of a locomotive? With how detailed and amazing the locomotives being produced have been, this unit would be in my opinion one of the best if made. Maybe even put duel motors in it...I mean it is two locos in one after all. I would love to see that. I have several O scale MTH DD40AX, several in HO and several in N. That Loco and the UP turbines are what got me, once again, into model RRing. My favorite Turbine is the UP Coal Turbine -- it's a monster
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Post by marmot on Mar 2, 2024 15:30:16 GMT -5
I have also thought the DDA40x would be cool, although it would likely need larger radius curves which would reduce the size of the target audience who could enjoy it. You know they have thought about it because it appeared on this poll here 7 years ago: azlforum.com/thread/818/azl-locomotive-development-pipelineAZL has massive accomplishments in the several years since that poll was posted. Many of those locomotives are now running around our layouts. I would think that some of AZL's "mini" accomplishments the last several years would be useful to contribute into a DDA40x development. For example there's the proven concept of the huge PA trucks with the blind/flangeless axles, and the off-center truck pivot point of the SW1500 which may or may not be useful for a truck mounted coupler here. If the rear chassis of a DDA40x would be separately motorized, it would probably need to be pretty short, such as the SW1500 chassis. But then it would also probably be pretty expensive (additional motor/parts but with a smaller target audience).
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Post by marmot on Mar 2, 2024 16:00:08 GMT -5
louiez - Among your DDA40x's in other scales, do they all have separate front and rear motors? Or do any have some creative solution for front/rear?
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Scott
Engineer
Posts: 196
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Post by Scott on Mar 2, 2024 16:02:55 GMT -5
Of course, not all of us keep company with Uncle Pete, although Wyoming (pictured) looks like a fun and easy tabletop layout to model. Union Pacific EMD DDA40X—That thing is a behemoth, to say the least! Its inclusion I’ve seen in display cases of Union Pacific diesels more than I’ve seen photos of the prototype. HO people mostly. Not HO people. I mean people that model in HO. Should the bosses do that one locomotive that’s Union Pacific-specific, they may as well pick up the sharknose Baldwin for the Pennsy, B&O, and NYC. True, modeling for a one-of-a-kind means a niche market. That niche market, however, would be AZLers who are Union Pacific-specific which may be, in fact, very big indeed. Likewise, the combined fan base of Pennsy, B&O, and NYC may be, in fact, very big indeed. Ask the five fellas standing in the photograph. Why do you think they’re smiling? Eh, ya know what? Let’s just agree on AZL running 75- or 85-foot piggyback flatcars with applicable sizes for those trailers as shown in the Wyoming photo of the EMD DDA40X Union Pacific 6902. The F-39? The PS 85? The bosses—Previously, when asked about releasing flat cars earlier that the modern spine cars, Mr. Albritton has commented that “it depends on sales of the existing piggyback products (spine cars).” (October 2023 post in Z Scale thread): azlforum.com/search/results?who_at_least_one=2&captcha_id=captcha_search&what_at_least_one=spine+car&display_as=0&search=SearchCertainly, Mr. Albritton (When I mention his name I feel like Winston Smith looking up at Big Brother on the jumbotron.) knows better than I do. … But I don’t get it. If one type sells, then we’ll make an early type. Seems to me people will applaud and pay for anything Frank or Elvis sings. Aloha, Scott Attachments:
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Post by cwrr on Mar 2, 2024 18:56:38 GMT -5
Union Pacific EMD DDA40X - So this question is for the bosses of course. Has there ever been talk about producing this monster of a locomotive? With how detailed and amazing the locomotives being produced have been, this unit would be in my opinion one of the best if made. Maybe even put duel motors in it...I mean it is two locos in one after all. In brass, like the Krauss-Maffei release!! Better save up for THAT one when it's released though!! I wouldn't hesitate one second to pull some mulla out for one!!
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Post by Edward on Mar 2, 2024 22:35:47 GMT -5
I have been asking for nearly ten years now. I even started looking for my own manufacturing and actually had something set up a few years ago, but it fell through with how good 8k printing was becoming. I can only hope AZL makes them, I would purchase 10 of them, but if not, I’ll print them as a stand in.
They sure would look good with the latest UP SD40-2 release. 😉
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Post by Edward on Mar 2, 2024 22:51:36 GMT -5
Just like the real ones, they have some temper issues to overcome. They were known for widening the gauge or riding up the railhead. You would think bald center wheels would solve this, but no. We actually had to let the lead “dummy” axle pivot inside the truck frame, like you would see the lead truck on a steam engine. This still gives you three powered axles per truck. This is common practice in O and G scale. This would also allow you to run on a tighter radius.
The other issue is costs. To keep the center section open like the prototype, You have to ether have two motors (expensive), one motor (no power), or have a drive shaft hiding in the fuel tank (loss of weight and traction).
These were just a few issues I found and I am more then happy to discuss in detail or share to help.
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Post by tikigrotto on Mar 3, 2024 14:11:17 GMT -5
I would be very interested in 3x AZL DDA40Xs
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Post by mrkzl1 on Mar 3, 2024 16:29:32 GMT -5
Of course what would be great is if they have been secretly working on for a while now, and sometime in the near future we get "surprise"!!!!...here is a prototype of it...at least that is what I'm hoping for...I can dream..lol
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Post by shamoo737 on Mar 4, 2024 16:38:38 GMT -5
I would be very interested in 3x AZL DDA40Xs The only it’s going to be made it’s in brass, and that’s going to be at least $2000 each.
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Post by tikigrotto on Mar 4, 2024 17:18:10 GMT -5
Cost isn’t a concern, but are you guessing or do you have inside intel?
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Post by shamoo737 on Mar 4, 2024 17:26:28 GMT -5
It’s what I am guessing. The last brass retail price was almost a $1000, and that’s for a smaller locomotive.
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Post by shamoo737 on Mar 4, 2024 17:39:21 GMT -5
I no longer buy brass, because I will void the warranty if I dcc it.
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Post by louiez on Mar 4, 2024 22:53:36 GMT -5
louiez - Among your DDA40x's in other scales, do they all have separate front and rear motors? Or do any have some creative solution for front/rear? Hey Marmot, The MTH O-scale all have two motors. The N-scale and HO scale go either way depending on if you buy Spectrum or just the economy Bachman brand. The Spectrum have two motors while the economy Bachman have one motor which drives the front truck only -- I may have the drive truck reversed. If I recall correctly, the MTH turbines and the DD40AX all require 72" curves. I have most everything (except Z and N) stored until I finish the basement. A 1,760 sq.ft. hobby paradise -- if I ever get it completed.
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