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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 23, 2014 9:00:17 GMT -5
All SD70/75 and GP9/GP7 versions shown last year in Atlanta will be available. We hope to start locomotive testing within 2 weeks. So hopefully early April we are ready to release the first SD and GP which will be a standard cab SD70 and a GP9 Torpedo Tube. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 22, 2014 16:43:23 GMT -5
I think a lot of the confusion around the use of 2-8-2 locomotives stem from the fact that they were made for freight operations and thus it is easy to assume that they were used for freight only. The USRA Mikado must have been one of the most versatile steam locomotives ever built and was used for basically everything. That being said, I doubt that all railroads used the 2-8-2 in passenger consists. PRR with all their K4 Pacifics probably never needed Mikados to pull passenger cars. To me this is a good thread, since I am now alert to any heavyweight consist being pulled by a Mikado. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 22, 2014 16:25:48 GMT -5
We will put a coil car on our radar. Auto-Max may appear down the road. We actually took a close look at doing spine cars, but our manufacturer was not very optimistic since a N scale project had been difficult. Good news on the Bethgons, we already have those. First freight car we ever made. What about a rerun? Locomotives? Well we are working on the F and E units. Hope to have the SD70s and GP7s back on the market soon. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 21, 2014 11:25:53 GMT -5
Interestingly, The May 2014 issue of Trains Magazine features Southern Mikado 4501 pulling Heavyweights. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 20, 2014 17:55:12 GMT -5
Hi Mark, A valid question since usually Pacific locomotives pulled passenger cars. That being said, Mikado locomotives did their share of passenger duty. AZL developed the USRA Mikado and Heavyweight as separate projects even if they belong in the same time period. The USRA Pacific was made in fewer numbers and was not operated by as many railroads as the USRA Mikado. At the time we started the Mikado development, we felt the USRA Mikado would be the most likely steam locomotive to give us (AZL) a return on our investment. Again, remember that the light and heavy USRA Mikado was our first injection steam project. I am fairly sure it will not be our last. And there are a lot more heavyweights coming from AZL this year. We have F and E units in development and they did their share of heavyweight pulling as well. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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SD70
Mar 1, 2014 5:39:48 GMT -5
Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 1, 2014 5:39:48 GMT -5
We should be able to give everyone a good update on the SD70 this month. NS and CSX are included. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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AC44's
Feb 17, 2014 17:49:50 GMT -5
Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Feb 17, 2014 17:49:50 GMT -5
The chassis of our old SD70 can be used for the AC4400 as well. But we have not started any tooling on the body or trucks yet. We will probably have an update this Summer during NTS. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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AC44's
Feb 17, 2014 11:53:41 GMT -5
Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Feb 17, 2014 11:53:41 GMT -5
We are still dealing with tool transfer to a new factory in China. That has been (and still is) quite a process. Once we have sorted out everything we can focus our attention on the GEs. There is no doubt that the F3s and E8s will be our next new locomotive offering. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Feb 6, 2014 0:45:02 GMT -5
Both BN and GN will be part of the SD45 lineup. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Feb 5, 2014 17:29:09 GMT -5
The SD45 will be a 2015 release. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Feb 5, 2014 0:02:04 GMT -5
No signing, but I hope to keep everyone up to date on the 4014 restoration. It is currently in West Covina (LA) getting prepped for the Cheyenne journey. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Feb 4, 2014 15:47:21 GMT -5
Slow Boats Yes, they seem to be around. Since we do not have our own assembly line, we are finding it harder and harder to predict when products arrive. Some are late (very late as the GP7s and SD70s) and other are done ahead of time like the new Big Boy run with the CA-1 caboose. Our predictions (or forecasts) are that the GP7s and SD70s will be in our hands within 45 days. We had planned to offer a new run of 40´PFE Reefers for the 2nd Big Boy run. We may have those at the end of April. More heavyweights and our new LPG car should also be available in the Spring. Our F3s will probably be out this Summer and as Robert mentioned, the E8s towards the end of this year. We apologize that we can not be more accurate with dates of product arrivals, but that is part of doing outsourced business. A shortage of deliveries was also the reason we did not announce new products in January. You will notice that I am using words like: predictions, forecasts, may, probably and should. We truly hope to substitute these words with: Yes, they are here. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Dec 3, 2013 17:54:15 GMT -5
No Monon locomotives so far. We like the paint scheme and I am sure we will offer it sooner or later. Sincerely, Hans
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Dec 3, 2013 17:51:56 GMT -5
No update on the GP30. We have OKed the artwork and are awaiting painted samples. We probably will have some color fixes. Maybe April next year. Sincerely, Hans
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Dec 3, 2013 4:27:44 GMT -5
Much appreciated. When I witnessed the Big Boy move last week I talked to a gentleman that happened to have done the lettering on CN passenger cars in the 50s and 60s. He mentioned that originally, all CN heavyweight cars were green. I will definitely follow up with him. Sincerely, Hans
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