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Post by dudeguy on Jul 4, 2017 16:14:44 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
Let me first give a little backround before I ask a few questions. I first discovered z scale about 3 years ago and stumbled upon azl. I had a few train sets growing up (HO scale) and really liked trains, specifically stream engines. Fast forward to 3 years ago, I've noticed how much I like the look of the modern locos. I never really cared for the look of older diesels, but the new ones to me just look so cool! Since the past 3 years I kind of had a resurgence in my liking and respect for railroads, a lot of power and engineering went into these beasts. I have also always been fascinated with really small model trains, I've only heard of N scale up until that point. When I saw a few videos of Z scale trains I thought it was the coolest thing ever and I had to get my hands on a set. I went and checked what kind of locos they had for sale and to my displeasure they did not have the trains I wanted. They had the sd75 which looked like the ones I liked but it didnt have the big flared radiator that I see all time. So I have been waiting patiently for 3 years, check AZL a few times a month. Well, now the es44ac are out and they look fantastic. I live near chicago and bnsf is big around me as well as canadian national and union pacific. Im not sure which one I want, though bnsf paint schemes are very attractive, but I might wait and see what the other locos will look like. Now, I'm not going to be a serious modeler like most of you guys. I just want to get some track and some of the intermodel cars becuase thats what I mostly see them carry and set it up on my desk. So here are my questions:
What manufacturer of track do you guys recommend?
What kind of power source and manufacture do you recommend?
Where can I buy the above mentioned?
Where can I get the 53' deep well cars that stack 2 trailers?
Iv read something about breaking in the locos. How do you do that and for how long?
What road number should I get? I wish I could get every thing from AZL direct but unfortunately I cannot. Is there any other suggestions you guys can make for someone new to Z scale?
Thank you
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Post by dave on Jul 4, 2017 16:59:49 GMT -5
Good afternoon and welcome to Z scale. I am fairly new as well having about 2 years in this scale. I will try and answer your questions.
1. Track - I would use Rokuhan track. Depending on your era, you can simulated wood ties or concrete ties. I would recommend starting with a small layout like 2' x 4' (or a little larger if you have room) and put the widest curves you can. Wider curves make longer, more modern trains look better when negotiating the curves.
2. Power - I use the Rokuhan RC02 controller. It either uses 8 AAA batteries or you can get an AC adapter for it. I really like the portability of using batteries and they last a long time; I used one set for the entire Christmas season.
3. Here are the places (in no particular order) I have purchased from and have had good experience with all of them.
modeltrainstuff.om zscalemonster.com blwnscale.com zgauge.com needtrains.com us-zscale.com normstrainworld.com ztrackresale.com
4. The only producer of the modern deep well cars for 53' containers is AZL and they are not available currently. A few can be found if you look hard enough. Micro-Trains also made a Gunderson Well Car for 40' containers and there are a few of those around.
5. Break-In - There are plenty of places on this website explain how people break in their locos. Personally, I run mine in each direction at 1/3 throttle for about a half hour each, then each direction at 2/3 throttle for a half hour each way. Opinions on this will vary.
6. Road Number - I don't believe road number is terribly important unless you want to model a particular locomotive you have seen or like. The other reason may be if a road number actually existed in real life.
I would highly recommend doing a lot of reading of various topics on this website and ask a lot of questions. Z-scale is more expensive that most scales, so it makes sense to figure out ahead of time what road name and/or era you want to model. Start off slow with an oval of track, a power supply, a loco and a few cars. Figure out if you enjoy it, if you can see it, etc. Good luck with Z-scale.
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Post by dudeguy on Jul 5, 2017 7:18:14 GMT -5
So its ok to mix different manufacturers? Like azl loco and micro trains rolling stock? Will there be any problems like cars not coupling right? I would prefer to stick with one mfg but Ill mix it up if i must. Maybe Hans or representative could shed some light if they will be releasing more deepwell cars again. It would make sense givin that the new release of the es44ac locos would go hand and hand with the deepwell cars.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 5, 2017 7:25:41 GMT -5
Maybe Hans or representative could shed some light if they will be releasing more deepwell cars again. It would make sense givin that the new release of the es44ac locos would go hand and hand with the deepwell cars. Hehehe. Well, Hans is the original "founder" of the company - my 50% came a couple of years after, so I'm happy to be the "representitive" <big grin> Yes, there will be more "deepwell" cars again. And yes, our couplers are compatible with MTL and Bowser couplers, no problem. (The only ones that do NOT work are Marklin - they have their own coupler) Best, -Rob(A) AZL
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Post by dave on Jul 5, 2017 7:38:43 GMT -5
I have AZL, MicroTrains, Full Throttle and Intermountain rolling stock.and they all work well together. When I first started in Z, I wanted to do CB&Q in the transition era from steam to diesel and AZL didn't make much, so I turned to MicroTrains. The rolling stock from AZL is more expensive but is better detailed and comes with metal wheels. I have retrofitted my MTL cars with metal wheels for a little more weight and keeping the track cleaner.
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Post by markm on Jul 5, 2017 7:42:02 GMT -5
Dude, Welcome to Z and the forum. I can't think of anything significant to add to Dave's comments. I do break-in runs similar to Dave, clockwise and counter-clockwise, forward and reverse although I haven't seen much change from the out-of-box performance on recent AZL releases. So its ok to mix different manufacturers? Like azl loco and micro trains rolling stock? Will there be any problems like cars not coupling right? I would prefer to stick with one mfg but Ill mix it up if i must. Actually, you would want to mix manufacturers. Each manufacturer tends to focus on different car types, eras and road names. In the interests you've expressed AZL will probably be your preferred source of modern rolling stock. Other manufacturers focus more on 20th century rolling stock or coal country cars for example. Or oil trains or coal trains. Just depends on locale. Mark
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Post by smr on Jul 5, 2017 8:26:27 GMT -5
Hello everyone, Where can I get the 53' deep well cars that stack 2 trailers? Thank you Hi Dude, I can provide you with some 53' deep well cars. How many do you want to have? Best, Sven PS: Anyone else in need ?
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Post by shamoo737 on Jul 5, 2017 9:04:28 GMT -5
Sven, how about somebody in need and broke. There are actually two more 53' well cars. FR made a 53' Gunderson and Hobo Tim made a Maxi IV. Both are extremely hard to find.
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Post by dudeguy on Jul 5, 2017 10:05:47 GMT -5
Maybe Hans or representative could shed some light if they will be releasing more deepwell cars again. It would make sense givin that the new release of the es44ac locos would go hand and hand with the deepwell cars. Hehehe. Well, Hans is the original "founder" of the company - my 50% came a couple of years after, so I'm happy to be the "representitive" <big grin> Yes, there will be more "deepwell" cars again. And yes, our couplers are compatible with MTL and Bowser couplers, no problem. (The only ones that do NOT work are Marklin - they have their own coupler) Best, -Rob(A) AZL Lol, sorry after reading some forums I only knew of hans as the owner, wasnt really sure who was all involved with AZL. Do you have any idea of a time frame you would be releasing more?
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 5, 2017 12:38:19 GMT -5
Lol, sorry after reading some forums I only knew of hans as the owner, wasnt really sure who was all involved with AZL. Do you have any idea of a time frame you would be releasing more? No worries at all. This way I can direct all complaints to Hans! Perfect. We should have more Well cars within the next 12 months.
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Post by dudeguy on Jul 6, 2017 11:03:30 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for all your help, I got a little digging to do.
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Post by smr on Jul 11, 2017 14:39:31 GMT -5
Dude asked me to provide him/us with some pictures when possible. Here we go: AZL's 53' well cars - 1/9 different sets and, AZL's Flatcars - 1/5 different sets
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Post by smr on Jul 11, 2017 14:45:38 GMT -5
Sven, how about somebody in need and broke. There are actually two more 53' well cars. FR made a 53' Gunderson. Freudenreich (FR) 56' well car Freudenreich (FR) 48' well car
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Post by smr on Jul 11, 2017 14:52:23 GMT -5
There are actually two more 53' well cars. Hobo Tim made a Maxi IV. Both are extremely hard to find.
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