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Post by markm on Jul 30, 2014 22:44:56 GMT -5
I recently received my Sunset Limited Set. Very nicely done, good detail on the new cars, paint and lettering are of the quality I've come to expect from AZL. Couplers are a bit off using the MTL gauge but consistent across the set. Great detail on the RPO. My g-g-g uncle ran an RPO between KC and Denver about 100 years ago. I'll have to look up the details of the road, so I can harass Robert & Hans to product one.  The observation car appears to have an applied rear platform, so I imagine there can be some variants in the future. My only disappointment here was that there was no drumhead on the platform. The cars run well on my test oval, but since the train takes up almost the entire oval, I don't think it's a fair test. The set really wants at least 4ft of straight track and curves >220mm to be shown properly. Overall quite satisfied with the set and find it to be a good value. Mark |
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Post by jamestraction on Jul 31, 2014 13:21:17 GMT -5
Mark,
I tried running my set at last weekend's event at the Los Angeles Central Library (Getty's 75-anniversay exhibit for our Union Station), and had 3 of the cars keep de-coupling. I was told to inspect and clean up flash in the couplers to improve their performance by our resident expert.
Really a nice set, and I'm not too concerned about tweaking them to run clean as that's part of the experience in Z.
James
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Post by markm on Jul 31, 2014 13:57:37 GMT -5
James,
I just assume flash on all the Z couplers regardless of the manufacturer. It really doesn't take much flash to cause problems. I end up using a 40x microscope on all new units I purchase. But my set seemed to run clean prior to inspection.
Mark
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Post by shamoo737 on Aug 2, 2014 15:27:29 GMT -5
James, I just assume flash on all the Z couplers regardless of the manufacturer. It really doesn't take much flash to cause problems. I end up using a 40x microscope on all new units I purchase. But my set seemed to run clean prior to inspection. Mark Everybody send their bad couplers to Mark, so he can check it with his microscope.  I am willing to spend money to get my train to run better, but buying a microscope it's not one of them. My most recent purchase that's not train related it's a ultrasonic cleaner. It's great for cleanning the grease off the AZL trucks and wax off Shapeway models. |
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Post by markm on Aug 2, 2014 17:51:29 GMT -5
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 2, 2014 18:06:28 GMT -5
I brought an inexpensive inspection scope and found it just too handy for model railroading: not only inspection, but placing details and decals. And it's a must for rivet counters: Bah! Pure Bourgeois Luxury I say. No NMRA Master Model Railroader would need such a thing! It's a superfluous, redundant, extravagant, indulgence! Poppycock! That being said, I got the Aven model off Amazon when they were on sale for $30. It rocks.  |
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Post by shamoo737 on Aug 2, 2014 22:10:25 GMT -5
Mark, we are closes of friends, so we expect free labor. By the way, the telescope better be a good buy? |
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Post by markm on Aug 2, 2014 22:52:08 GMT -5
Mark, we are closes of friends, so we expect free labor. By the way, the telescope better be a good buy? My standard rate is $250/hr., 4 hour minimum and the first hour is a free consultation. Tell you what I'll do: send me all your rolling stock, return shipping paid and I'll examine every piece and tell you which one should be fixed.  I think the microscopes are a good deal up to about $90, then it's probably more than you need. BTW did I mention they also do videos? Mark |
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Post by trainthetrainer on Aug 3, 2014 2:49:10 GMT -5
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Post by markm on Aug 3, 2014 10:45:09 GMT -5
trainthetrainer,
Welcome to the group.
Looking at the Aven scopes on Amazon, I can make a few suggestions. It's good to have a scope mount, it's amazing how shaky you hand gets at 40x. Aven's x-y mount looks good. For model railroading you don't need IR, UV or polarizer capabilities. Don't really need magnification >40x and I don't see a need for multi-megapixel cameras unless you want to do 8x10" images of rivets.
Hope this helps,
Mark
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 3, 2014 14:40:44 GMT -5
No problem... it was this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M8SQ6Q/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1BUT the price has gone waaaay up. I got it when thay had one of those "deal of the hour" things for $30 - not sure its worth it at $75 (you might be ablt to do better) but I am quite happy with it - and yes - the mount it critical. The mount that came with it is OK / functionional - but I made my own with clamps and it works better. |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 3, 2014 14:45:52 GMT -5
Attached is a sample from the AVEN scope - shows the quality of the print outlining on our up-coming Milwaukee Road heavyweight release. Attachments:
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Post by Admin on Aug 3, 2014 15:00:11 GMT -5
Uh-oh, careful guys as this sort of behavior can lead to all sorts of hyper-critical observations  I went through (ok, still going through it) a period where all my scenery got examined under macro lenses. Once you begin, it's a tough habit to break. I've made myself nuts over airbrush dot size, static grass height and transitions from soil to ballast. As a diagnostic tool though, these shots are invaluable. Not to nit pick (they always say that, then...), but I think the 5th rivet in from the right on the lower panel is slightly misshapen. Maybe we could look in to resolving this John Raildig.com |
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I am willing to spend money to get my train to run better, but buying a microscope it's not one of them. My most recent purchase that's not train related it's a ultrasonic cleaner. It's great for cleanning the grease off the AZL trucks and wax off Shapeway models. 
