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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 8:58:21 GMT -5
Maybe we can collectively pool our voices together for Hans and Rob.
I would like to see
N&W Class J 2-8-8-2 Y3 (many road names available) NYC Hudson Streamline passenger cars 2-8-4 Berkshire C&O Allegheny (really wishful thinking) 2-6-6-2 (many road names available) DL-109 diesel
just to name a few |
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Post by mrja on Mar 28, 2015 10:23:05 GMT -5
I'm going to rain on this new thread... nothing personal, though.
I'm 55. I know a lot of folks in Z are older than me. I see a few problems with Z-scale in such a wish list. This appeals to the older crowd. Z-scale is limited. As we all get old, that sales base diminishes through natural attrition.
You have one Z-scale manufacturer that is deeply rooted in European prototypes... which is completely understandable. You have another manufacturer that is deeply rooted in Japanese prototypes. You have an U.S. manufacturer that continues to churn out dated releases every month, with an owner that really doesn't care about this scale... with very little chance of seeing any type of new equipment. While these releases appeal to the current sales base, it does nothing to increase future sales, nor bring new folks in to the scale. How many boxcars do you see on the rails today with roofwalks? How many F-7's do you see pulling strings of hoppers, double-stacks, or tank-cars?
Then, you have AZL. AZL is a mixed bag of releases... with a lot in the works for the future. I know a lot of folks want steam... and, more steam. Steam is great, but it's not going to bring in new folks to this scale. Folks younger than 40 want to see the roads and equipment they see now.
My "wishlist" is for more modern releases. The heritage fleets really need to be produced in Z-scale, as have been done in other scales. It's a matter of numbers... continue to churn out old equipment to please an aging sales base, only to watch sales decline as that same base gets smaller and smaller. Or... ramp up "newer" equipment in an effort to seriously bring in new folks to our scale.
And... no... I'm not an AZL fan-boy. I've probably been one of the most critical of AZL in the past. But, for American equipment releases... AZL seems the only one interested in laying out $$$ to continue this scale. There are other players in this scale, but have such a little output, they are just "riding the rails" of the bigger guys.
Just my worthless "2 cents".
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 10:49:20 GMT -5
I respectfully disagree.
I'm 27 and have ZERO interest in modern equipment. I model ww2 era steam and diesel. I would prefer steam only but Z is limited. I also disagree with Z being an older mans hobby. I know many modelers under 55 in my area that would like to get into Z scale. This thread is directed for AZL only. The only way to get more people into Z is to make more models.
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Post by tjdreams on Mar 28, 2015 13:26:06 GMT -5
The only way to get more people into Z is to make more models. ams and mrja This is by no means directed towards you, but rather to every one who reads it While I agree we need more models, I don't think it is the only way to get more people into Z scale. I firmly believe it will take a combination of Z scale manufactures and US "YES" you and me All of us the current Z scale modelers to get out there and help promote our beloved Z scale. I will say it again, We our selves All of us who can need to help promote Z scale, One or 2 manufactures making new models can't do it alone. How many times have you gone to a train show only to find their isn't a single Z scale layout on display or even one z scale item for sale at the show? But their is a ton of O, HO, & N scale on display, Many train Show promoters would love to have you come setup a Z scale layout at their show. (space permitting) Operating Layouts helps bring people to the shows which means more business for them, and at the same time it lets us show off and promote our Z Scale stuff to those who may be interested and never knew Z scale existed. Its a Win, Win scenario. It just involves a little more effort on our part. AZL and many other manufactures are doing their part by producing Z scale items. It is us the public who need to do our part and buy more of their products and let them (Respectively ) know what we like, want, will buy, and do not like. We also need to show off what we bought and built so others know what is out there and what is possible with Z scale trains. Yes I know their are many who are on fixed income, don't have the transportation to get out there, or are older and just physically can't do it. But those of us who can need to get out there, Take pride in our work and Show it off to the public. No you don't need to attend every show but if we each of us could show our stuff off at one show a year I believe the Z scale community would double if not triple in no time at all. I apologize if I have offended anyone that was not my intension with this post/rant Back on topic I to would love to see a C&O Allegheny N&W Class J a Pacific Streamline Passenger cars Some Civil war era cars and locomotives or anything sporting the Western Maryland Fireball logo. David |
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 28, 2015 19:09:03 GMT -5
Well, we will at least make one of the trains on the wish lists. We also agree with ams, a good supply of new products will grow the scale (Z). And if you have the chance, visit NTS in Portland in August. There will be plenty of Z layouts. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Curn on Mar 29, 2015 23:59:01 GMT -5
32. For me, its less about era, and more about what looks right on 195mm radius curves. I like to model small / branch-line type railroads. So that doesn't exclude modern, but the types of railroads I model can't afford an ES44AC. As such, I also don't care for very large steam engines. I would much rather see small branch line type engines.
Steam: 4-6-2, 4-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-6-0, 2-6-2, 4-4-0
Diesels: Any switcher, SD9, GP40, even a GP35.
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Post by ProgressRail on Mar 30, 2015 10:55:49 GMT -5
okay, so here's a list then...
- *MP15AC/DC*- yn3/b
- SW1500 - yn3/b
- AC4400CW
- SD70ACe
- GE P42 [w/ Superliner/Viewliner/Amfleet I or II...think Lake Shore Limited]
- SD40-2/3 re-run - yn3/b
- GP40-2/3 - yn3/b
- Steam: 4-4-0
...i'm also taking the time to perform a well placed thread hi-jack and list a freight car: AutoMax.
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Post by markm on Mar 30, 2015 14:57:00 GMT -5
At this point I start to question the value of this wish list, since it includes just about all motive power except the NYC M497 and Thomas the Tank Engine. That's not to say there aren't a number of items I'd like from this list (and a good many I care nothing about), but consider that Z scale has the equivalent of about 4 designers (probably none working full time on Z) and we need to be selective.
AZL could take the MTL approach of going down the AAR list in order of build quantities, but some of us are getting tired of 40' box cars, even if there are still 1000s yet to be modeled.
If we really want to help determine the direction AZL takes, it seems to me we need to limit our wish lists to three locos and three roads.
That said, I'll reiterate my interest in UP/SP/WP. As for the locos, any that these roads ran in quantity and preferably in as many paint schemes as possible.
Mark
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Post by catt on Mar 30, 2015 19:33:49 GMT -5
I'm 70 years old and I am very much a modern day modeler.Steam is nice but not on my layouts thank you.I would like to see more locos in the GP-38-2 price bracket.AZL already has the mechanism the railings and the window sets needed for the GP40/40-2,GP50,and the GP60. I know the GP40/40-2 locos would sell because every major railroad and many of the smaller ones own them.In fact NS is rebuilding their fleets of these locos as CSX.NS also has fleets of 50s and 60s but all we get is a GP38-2 and a fat GP35.  |
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 30, 2015 20:15:52 GMT -5
We appreciate that you take the time and tell us about your locomotive wishes. At the moment we have 6-7 new locomotives in various stages of development. The F3A, SD45 and ES44AC we have communicated. The other 3-4 will be communicated when they are further along in development. Just wanted you all to know that we are not resting. And please remember that most of the locomotives have 2-3 years in the development cycle before they hit the stores. Only once have we "killed" a project and that was the AC4400. The ES44AC was a good replacement we think.
We are not forgetting old release either. Expect reruns of the GP38-2, GP30 and RDC.
Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2015 10:44:47 GMT -5
If we really want to help determine the direction AZL takes, it seems to me we need to limit our wish lists to three locos and three roads.
Mark
How could limiting our wish list to three road names possibly be a good idea? That would be a sure way to not have a mass produced model. It's a numbers game. Speaking in terms of injection models, I don't think AZL is going to waste what funds they have available for a run of something with only 3 road names. Now speaking in terms of a brass model, it is still beneficial to the company to produce models that have multiple road names and/or numbers. The GS3, GS4, and Challenger models are a good example. The Challenger was available in Rio Grande, UP black, UP grey. Then it could be had with a coal tender or oil tender. The GS3/4 was all SP but it had two different Daylight letterings available plus the freight version. The point I'm trying to make is it is unwise to narrow a model down to three road names and expect it to be mass produced (which was the intention of this topic).
It seems some of you have taken offense to this thread, It was merely an attempt to have fun and voice what YOU would LIKE to see produced. The business fact is they have to make money. If I have a GP35, GP30, GP7/9 I can have countless road names to offer, this in theory should equal more sales. Of course they have to limit the first run but for future releases it broadens what can become available. Such is the case with the new wide vision caboose. Unfortunately AZL can't cater to our every model need.
Taking a poll to select which three models get our top vote as collective could be potentially useful to Hans and Rob but the decision still remains theirs.
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Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2015 11:56:21 GMT -5
I'd love to see a small switcher and maybe even package it up like the old Marklin Fun Sets. I bought several versions of those little clear cases over the years as they were... fun! Also I think this could be a good way to get non-Z people to dip their toes in the water. John Raildig |
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Post by atw on Mar 31, 2015 13:20:13 GMT -5
If this is just for fun, then it will ultimately see highly personal taste rule with wild abandon. I'm not saying that can't be fun, but it's usually also pretty pointless - like the ancient Romans said: there's simply no discussing taste. They didn't have railroads, but they were pretty smart.
If the idea is to come up with models which could broaden the entry gate into Z scale for those potentially interested, then that obviously is a completely different approach. And right now it seems to me that AZL has put a lot of good thought into that, striking a balance which appeals to a fairly broad range of period and regional interest - and IMHO *that* is the way to go.
Adrian
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2015 14:04:04 GMT -5
If this is just for fun, then it will ultimately see highly personal taste rule with wild abandon. I'm not saying that can't be fun, but it's usually also pretty pointless - like the ancient Romans said: there's simply no discussing taste. They didn't have railroads, but they were pretty smart. If the idea is to come up with models which could broaden the entry gate into Z scale for those potentially interested, then that obviously is a completely different approach. And right now it seems to me that AZL has put a lot of good thought into that, striking a balance which appeals to a fairly broad range of period and regional interest - and IMHO *that* is the way to go. Adrian Welcome to the forum!
This wasn't meant to be just for fun. It was meant to be a fun thread that gave insight into what others wanted. In all seriousness a 2-8-8-2 y3 would be an ideal model for many modelers. I think the gp38-2 is a good starter engine. There is going to be a market for steam, just this morning the N&W J 611 had a fire lit for the first time in 20 years. The Big Boy is being restored, the Challenger, Daylight, NKP Berkshire C&O 2-6-6-2 and many other are being restored or continue to run. Steam is making a comeback to the new generation of modern modeling and I predict more will follow once the steam excursions begin. There is nothing on the rails comparable to a mainline steam engine roaring by.
I think if AZL produced a RTR kit that consisted of a small steam engine OR small switcher that they would be great entry pieces. A single engine with 2 cars and a caboose and a small oval of track would be a nice addition.
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Post by domi on Mar 31, 2015 14:42:04 GMT -5
In my opinion, as EMD models are fairly available, we now need more GEs. We'll have GEVOs and it's really a good choice. But now we need U-Boats, Dash 7s and Dash 8s.
And maybe new paintschemes for existing models. To make things cheap, why not releasing paintschemes for holding companies, for example Rail America and Genesee & Wyoming? After it's just a question of logos and road numbers, but basic paintscheme remains the same.
And there is an available model: the GP38-2, that is widely spread among those systems.
My two cents,
Dom
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