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Post by christoff on Aug 31, 2015 17:31:45 GMT -5
So less then 4 months ago I took the plunge and purchased an AZL locomotive ( 4 of them actually all gp38-2s ) since then my collection of micro-trains that I've been collecting for years has become a minority. Anyone else experienced this change in fleet as much as I have? I went from 3 MTL locos and 50 MTL freight cars to 8 AZL locos ( so far ) and 62 azl freight cars along with the old MTL collection funny isn't it how a company like MTL could go down hill so fast in my eyes and a company like AZL can get the same amount of money out of me in a fraction of the time with a better product to boot way to be King AZL maybe soon mtl will take some notes and try to play catch up I'm doughtful tho as far as I'm concerned I'm done with coffee grinders and box cars
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Post by strummer on Aug 31, 2015 18:52:35 GMT -5
I agree that AZL has really raised the bar in Z scale; however, let's not be too harsh. If MTL hadn't decided all those years ago to offer US-based models, maybe Z would have just faded into a European-only fringe scale, like what happened to TT gauge. I feel there's room for all to participate in the (hopefully) growth of 1:220... Just my 2 cents worth; plus, I kinda like my "coffee grinders". Simple, easy to maintain, and not half-bad runners.  strummer |
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MP Fan / locomotives
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Post by MP Fan / locomotives on Aug 31, 2015 19:57:44 GMT -5
I too agree that AZL has opened a new vista in model railroading.....I have been in N-scale for over 20 years....just recently I took the plunge with the purchase of 4 MP E-8 locomotives.....a week ago I acquired 7 heavyweight passenger cars....and yes AZL is the answer to modelers who appreciate accuracy and detail....keep up the good work....there will be many more coming into the z-scale world with great products......THANKS!
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Post by christoff on Aug 31, 2015 20:56:51 GMT -5
Strummer
I'm in my early 20s and have been collecting/buying these things since 2003. That was when I got my first F7 from MTL and it just died a few weeks back. They also re released it this year a little different but still a CP Rail f7 and I got it again to replace my dead one. I still like them but they just never update, no new track, no new styles, they just don't keep up with the times. My other 2 run perfect and there old aswell I don't have more cuz being that young it was hard to save up 200 for a nice loco now that I'm a little older and make more money they don't produce them anymore. These AZL models are beautiful and there's plenty to choose from all across the boards in price great customer support awesome dealers! I'll never get rid of my MTL and may get the occasional cars I like tankers, gondolas, stack cars your right they are Heros of Z. But I still just need to compliment AZL and that comparison of what I use to own and what I have now tells the tail.
MP Fan
I'm not even a detail freak in accuracy or specific eras. I just love trains since before I can remember. I hope your right that more will join in. It's funny that you were in N for almost or possibly longer then my life span lol. I almost got into N when I ditched HO scale. But then I saw the Z Scale and it was even smaller! they had an f7 in classic CP Rail paint. That's my favourite loco in real life. I had to buy it and that's how this adventure all started. One loco and an oval of track. That's all I could afford now here I am 12 years later about to build a big layout or try to atleast. I hope your right that this is the kick in the rear that z scale needed and that AZL will heavily benefit from it being able to comfortably expand there lines and productivity.
Sorry for the bad spelling and grammar guys it's not my strong suit
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MP Fan / locomotives
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Post by MP Fan / locomotives on Sept 1, 2015 11:04:15 GMT -5
Yes I have been in model railroading for many years ---- too many ---- but it has been a wonderful experience and a good (expensive) hobby.....for me, it began as a small boy living in Jefferson City, MO.....the classic passenger train of the Missouri Pacific, The COLORADO EAGLE, from St. Louis to Denver, passed thru Jeff City westbound at 6:10 pm and eastbound at 9:45 am......it was a streamlined lightweight (blue and antique white) paint scheme with dome cars.....yes, the MP was the first to place dome cars in operation.....they were conceived by the CB&Q and of course became the signature idea of the California Zephyr.....I always wanted a model of the COLORADO EAGLE but was never able to acquire one.....the Lionel version was not adequate.....nor the American Flyer.....so about 25 years ago, when KATO began to produce quality stuff for N-scale, I had decals made and I got an airbrush and I painted my COLORADO EAGLE.....in fact, three consists in N-scale....now you know why I purchased four E-8 MP locomotives in Z-scale from AZL.....I am hoping for passenger cars to pull and it appears that it might happen.....I do not intend to airbrush cars for Z-scale....I am older and just don't have the energy to do so......and I expect AZL to eventually produce the cars and there is every reason to expect them to be very nice.....several years ago, Micro-Trains produced some Z-scale passenger cars in UP, GN, and NP paint schemes....I tried one set of UP cars and did not find them to my liking....the dome car did not look right in the dome area, the cars coupled too far apart, and the windows were not flush as they should have been.....so I discarded the idea of Z-scale....until I Found AZL......thanks for your response.....keep in touch.....if I can help in any way, let me know......bye
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Post by leeinak on Sept 3, 2015 17:11:47 GMT -5
Let us all remember that without MTL, our roster of older freight would be very thin. There's plenty of room for competition and we all have to make choices in our selection. Thanks to all manufacturers of Z for giving us those choices....Lee in the northland
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Post by dave on Sept 20, 2015 20:38:04 GMT -5
I agree that AZL has really helped Z-scale advance with all of their offerings. I bought an AZL GP7 and a Wide Vision Caboose in Burlington Route but all of the rest of my rolling stock is Micro-Trains. I am OK with that. My future plans include Burlington Northern and Rock Island, both AZL and Micro-Trains. The offerings of AZL and MTL don't really compete with each other and both keep offering lots of products and that is good for all of us in Z-scale.
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Post by charlie on Oct 2, 2015 6:37:35 GMT -5
I do agree as well here. AZL is for me now the best for locomotives. I do not own MTL ones, but I think they did and still do a good job. Let's also remind us, that without Marklin, we would probably not be doing Z scale today. There is space for all of them today and they should continue producing Z scale. I 'll keep buying AZL locomotives because I prefer them, but I'll keep buying MTL rolling stocks for the same reason! And both of them gives us such a wide choice for everyone!
++Charlie
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Post by domi on Oct 5, 2015 2:37:38 GMT -5
As of MTL, they really helped to expand US-style Z scale, with their Geeps and SD40-2. Although too wide, they're overall excellent models with awesome running caracteristics.
But it's too sad production of these models is now withdrawn due to a mess in their business organisation with chinese contractors... And it's too sad MTL apparently dropped any idea of expanding their Z scale line of products, beeing back to their good old 30-year old technology F-Unit and 40' boxcars..
But finally I guess MTL's production between 2005-2012, when these high quality locomotives were available, boosted AZL's equally high quality production, as many model-railroaders turned themselves towards Z scale. That's the most important in my opinion.
Dom
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