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Post by Zgauge on Aug 17, 2015 22:05:50 GMT -5
AZL is usually very good about road specific details, but they missed this on their UP GP38-2. You may have to zoom in to see them but this tidy engineer has a couple of ordinary brooms mounted on the front!   |
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Post by markm on Aug 17, 2015 22:24:18 GMT -5
They are available from GClaser as a customer applied option.  |
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Post by domi on Aug 18, 2015 3:04:00 GMT -5
One has to keep in mind AZL chose to reuse old GP38-2 shell from AZL ancestor Rogue Locomotive Works, which was then a start-up whith small capital and technical craftsmanship. AZL has designed a new chassis for this unit, following its current quality standards but the shell is the old one, thus the "entry" price for this model, ~$100 rather than typical ~$160-180 for all other diesels (let's remember that when RLW released the loco in 1996-1997, suggested price for it was ~$250...).
Indeed this shell is basic, lacking what you mean, but also lacking pilots and rear cab windows, equipped with thick handrails, etc.
But it's worth seeing this unit as a base for superdetailing, for example using the kit Micronart released in this purpose.
Dom
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Post by ProgressRail on Aug 18, 2015 7:09:52 GMT -5
AZL is usually very good about road specific details, but they missed this on their UP GP38-2. You may have to zoom in to see them but this tidy engineer has a couple of ordinary brooms mounted on the front! |
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Post by Zgauge on Aug 18, 2015 11:58:33 GMT -5
And here I thought I found something unique, shows what I know! As for AZL missing it, I was actually kidding I just figured it was just something the engineer added on for fun! Thank you for the info, that makes sense.
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Aug 18, 2015 17:52:00 GMT -5
RLW (later AZL) GP38-2 Brings back a lot of memories. I funded the development. Tooling done by Don Bouchard with good help from Jon LaMere. After Don passed away some years ago AZL released a SP and a BN GP38-2 "Bouchard" special edition to help raise money for Dons family. A big thank you to all of you that contributed! But what is really left of the RLW GP38-2? Very little. The chassis and motor are brand new. So are the trucks (we are remaking the trucks yet again (that is a different story)). The old handrail mould is gone, so the present handrails are new as well. Since the handrails holes were CNCed by RLW, we had to modify both sides moulds and the rear and aft moulds to fit the AZL handrails. The day we (AZL) go into production the top mould insert brakes!  So now the top insert mould is new also. Then we added window glass and new airhorns. So all that is left of the old RLW GP38-2 are the from, aft, left and right side moulds. And they are modified! But the spirit of the old RLW GP38-2 lives on. Remember this was the first Z scale injected U.S. hood unit. Sincerely, Hans (AZL) |
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Post by atw on Aug 20, 2015 14:43:59 GMT -5
And what a nifty little engine it is too, Hans. Looks great (even with less detail than other AZL locos) and runs great, a real workhorse. And I had to smile when I got myself an undecorated unit and, on separating the shell from the chassis, found that inside it carries the wording ROGUE LOCOMOTIVE stamp-moulded into the top - a bit like a hidden commemorative plaque cheerZ Adrian |
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Post by christoff on Sept 1, 2015 9:11:35 GMT -5
What's that different story on the trucks? They seem to work great why fix it if it ain't broke you no
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Post by domi on Sept 2, 2015 9:20:16 GMT -5
They're missing holes on their side frames. But before someone spoke about, I didn't even realize... Anyway, nothing to deal with running caracteristics.
Dom
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Post by dazed on Sept 15, 2015 13:00:19 GMT -5
I love my little GP38-2. I have one UP that quite simply just ROCKS, and just ordered a Santa Fe to use the silver trucks and black fuel tank for a DGNO paint scheme that I am planning. I acquired another shell that has been stripped.....why oh why AZL can't do shells is really just mind boggling but I digress...that needs to change if Z is ever gonna be a "big boy" scale like AZL wants it to be. (and more decals too)
I really really need some RDC-1 shells. I cannot *experiment* with $200 locomotives.
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So now the top insert mould is new also. Then we added window glass and new airhorns. 
