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Post by Guba on Jan 8, 2016 22:23:31 GMT -5
So far I haven't been impressed with Shapeways products. Yes they can make things easily that aren't in mass production, but the quality of the product isn't there.
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Post by Commodore on Jan 8, 2016 22:29:46 GMT -5
I'm with you on that, Guba
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Post by domi on Jan 10, 2016 4:09:29 GMT -5
Yes, he's still in business status but as old times craftmen he works slowly, and he seems mostly not to reply to any email. But otherwise it looks like his cow +calf switcher sets are really apealing and are worth beeing purchased. Dom
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Post by domi on Jan 10, 2016 4:14:24 GMT -5
You know in 2010 MTL implied a promise of a SW1500. Maybe we should all send them a "what happened ?!?" email. A good mass produced U.S. switcher is THE item that is missing from Z scale. Of course I'm partial to the switchers I use to watch as a kid: www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2272649Mark Since MTL seems to get back to "dormant" status after the demise of its chinese contractor which was manufacturing chassis for its GP9/35 and SD40-2, I guess these are definitly burried... Remember, they were promising E-Units as well. Finally these are released by AZL and Marklin.. Dom
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Post by mgatdog on Jan 10, 2016 8:58:11 GMT -5
Well AZL here is another loco for the wish list . Add a SW 1500
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jan 10, 2016 9:07:04 GMT -5
Well AZL here is another loco for the wish list . Add a SW 1500 Yup - noted - that one has been on the "wish list" for a loooonnnngggggg time.
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Post by mgatdog on Jan 10, 2016 9:41:56 GMT -5
Well AZL here is another loco for the wish list . Add a SW 1500 Yup - noted - that one has been on the "wish list" for a loooonnnngggggg time. Rob Then it should be released this coming month right. Since its been on the list a loooooonnnnngggggggg time.
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Post by mgatdog on Jan 10, 2016 9:49:13 GMT -5
I'll take a B&O or Chessie System. Just joking ,you guys have a lot of irons in the fire. Keep up the good work. Bob
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Post by catt on Jan 10, 2016 10:33:31 GMT -5
MTL is so out of touch with their customer base you should not really expect anything from them. They had a bay window caboose in the final stages of production and dropped it when AZL announced theirs.Apparently the morons at MTL think there is only one style of bay window.(it was not the car AZL produced)
The way they are going there will soon be two makers of American outline AZL and Shapeways.Make that three I forgot Full Throttle and I have quite a few of Will's cars.
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Post by atw on Jan 10, 2016 17:26:20 GMT -5
I can understand a certain amount of disappointment with MTL but I tend to think that what they produce is what they've come up with in terms of market assessment. In my perception, the innovation and drive we see from AZL is exceptional, and I have a feeling a good percentage of it is what you may call an enthusiast's labor of love. Can't ask nor expect that from everybody, and most certainly not in a market niche like Z Scale.
I have a feeling MTL has simply settled back into the freight car segment of the Z Scale market (plus getting the most out of their F7 retooling investment for as long as the fun lasts), which I don't mind, after all AZL is supplying us with the locos (and probably has that part of the market pretty much cornered now from MTL's perspective, too). But that might be a good balance actually, as I can get a GP7/9 from AZL but no freight cars to really go with them. Plus let's not forget the great hoppers from Full Throttle, of course.
So, bottom line for me: MTL isn't treating us that badly, it's just that AZL is treating us so exceptionally well. So rather than blaming MTL I'm just all the more thankful for what we get from AZL.
Sorry if I've hijacked this thread - I didn't even mention the word "brass" once. Okay, now I did.
Adrian
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Post by mgatdog on Jan 11, 2016 9:10:42 GMT -5
There was another company that had an etched brass kit that you had to assembled . Or could be bought already done.. If I remember correctly it remind you of sea rails EMD 40. Who made it ?
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Post by gerd on Jan 20, 2016 20:28:19 GMT -5
I made a limited number of switchers: MP15DC, MP15AC and SW1000. Very similar to SW1500. In my opinion its no rocket science to make such a switcher for a manufacturer like MTL or one of the suppliers of AZL. I used shorten and modified MTL GP9/25 chassis, same internals and motors. Just adapting to the smaller size. I sold also a couple of shell kits, but never saw any finished loco... So its about the willingness, not technical limitations, look at Dr. Scheibe's European switchers, but of course its only small series with a price tag...
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 91
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Post by ZFRANK on Feb 2, 2016 6:56:59 GMT -5
You are right Gerd, it is no rocket sience. I was able to build my SW1000 without any fancy tools at the kitchen table. See next link for who is interested to give it a go. link to my SW1000 picasa album.I am a little disapointed that we saw so few scratchbuild switchers in the forems. /Frank
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Post by Commodore on Feb 2, 2016 11:52:33 GMT -5
Thank you, Frank
I went to your album. I cannot believe how much goes into making that Loco.
It's not perfect. But looks darn good. Especially when I did not know it was even possible. Great Job!
(This also explains to me why I choose to let AZL do the work for me.)
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Post by mgatdog on Jul 20, 2016 20:17:12 GMT -5
Didn't L G Thek Brassworks make a switcher?
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