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Post by Rob Albritton on Sept 8, 2023 8:02:21 GMT -5
A quick reminder: we design down to 195mm radius reliable operation for AZL. We do have some products that handle much tighter radius curves. The aforementioned RDC is a good example.
Now, I "torture test" our products on much tighter turns just to see what they will do, but I have to assume worst-case scenario for track work and conditions. I'll intentionally misalign test track at connections and put kinks into the track (both horizontal and vertical) create triple "S" curves and things like that. If it runs well on "bad" track, then it's ready for the real world.
Marklin designs their products to function down to to 145mm radius - with some exceptions like the ICE3.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Sept 1, 2023 18:19:46 GMT -5
Rob(s)/Hans: Just curious... What is the "Real Story" with these Reefer releases and quick sellouts? Is this related to unscrupulous buyers that resell on E Bay? Or some type of Z Fanatic Cult, in which members only buy this particular model, while living in Mommy's basement? 😊 It's a Z Fanatic Cult. That's only logical conclusion. That being said, the Cult has a Crystal Ball - and it sees another run of R70 in the future.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 30, 2023 19:32:51 GMT -5
... ONLY the UP E8 was announced as a "re-run" per Rob A in a post I cannot recall during the COLA announcement. Hans got carried away... again. BUT the RI was added because it would work with the Golden State passenger cars quite nicely! (sooooo maybe that was me?)
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 30, 2023 19:30:50 GMT -5
That is quite amazing considering the readability of the fine printing some of these models have. Is the lease agreement on the WP SW1500s still binding? Is my ownership subject to agreement with the interstate commerce commission? You didn't read the fine print in the packaging? By opening the box, you agreed to all of the terms. Oh, and you agreed to the 137 page Apple iPhone agreement too.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 30, 2023 17:41:51 GMT -5
I'm not sure if AZLs factory is using any direct to object printers, which are giant inkjet printers that can print paints on any 3d object. Some of their micro-printing seems to be too fine to be pad printing. Even the little EMD builder plate is at least 3 colors. I have no clue if this is 3 different pad imprints or a single pass on printer. All pad printing on our products. This is where the difference between manufacturers really shows. Pad printing quality is highly dependent on the operator running the setup for the pad printer. It's done by experience, sight, and feel. Similar things can be said for paint mask production and application. We go with factories that have highly experienced workers in the paint and decoration departments because there is no room for error in Z scale.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 30, 2023 17:36:02 GMT -5
Looking forward to learning the rationale. Depends on when they were made. The latest PRR release was from the previous production run that was done about 18 months ago. The new UP release is from the current production run. Our prices are a direct percentage of our manufacturing cost. We all know how inflation has hit in the last 18 months. Unfortunately, we're no different than anyone else.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 23, 2023 22:27:37 GMT -5
Question: Will the pending SD40-2 release feature an improved or upgraded motor, drive mechanism or circuit board? I saw the art proofs which look beautiful but, what about what's under the shell? Any upgrades? With every locomotive, we try to make it better than ever. With specifics to the upcoming SD40-2, the motor is a newer model. The drive mechanism is an industry best practice split frame design, but we are always improving tolerances in gearing (both lash and fit) bearing locations and gear arrangement. The circuit board has also been upgraded and is a screw-in type for greater reliability. Circuit board components have also been upgraded with newer LEDs. We stand behind every model we sell and encourage you to contact us if you are experiencing any deficiencies in operating quality.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 22, 2023 11:52:53 GMT -5
From what I know, nobody has guessed correctly- yet.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 20, 2023 17:45:14 GMT -5
Big announcements coming from AZL at NTS.
And rumor has it that another Z scale manufacturer has a big announcement too!!!
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 14, 2023 14:26:31 GMT -5
Sorry, this has nothing to do with the control system, it worked fine ... for some time, and then the turnouts showed (seemingly) mechanical issues ... So, goodbye Rokuhan turnouts ! I had similar problems with Rokuhan turnouts. I was using a capacitive discharge system to activate them similar to yours. What I discovered was that the Rokuhan turnouts use a smaller gauge of magnet wire for the mechanisms than Kato and others. This was leading to a slow failure of the switch mechanism. I replaced the failed switches, eliminated the capacitor discharge and everything has run perfectly ever since.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 3, 2023 19:43:53 GMT -5
ZSM is sold out. Must be a lot of interest in running produce/fruit trains. I think you will find them available at other dealers. Including those run by people named "Frank"
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 2, 2023 12:36:06 GMT -5
Oooo no good using the Shorty’s turnouts with long locos Correct. AZL locomotives work with Marklin, Atlas, MTL, Rokuhan turnouts, and hand laid turnouts down to #6. There are some exceptions: - AZL locomotives are not compatible with Rokuhan turnouts of less than 220mm radius. - Our RDC models will work down to 145mm radius. - Our Brass Steam locomotives will function down to 195mm radius, but run much better with a radius of more than 220mm.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 31, 2023 11:22:42 GMT -5
It would also be nice if the same could be done for the E and F locomotives sometime in the future. It's not that urgent as the spare truck does work with the plow removed. BTW, there is quite a bit of room inside the plow of the PA1... maybe enough room for a coupler box... Yes, that should be possible at the same time as the PA front coupler project.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 30, 2023 13:13:47 GMT -5
Another image: After doing a few side-by-side comparisons, I decided it wasn't worth removing the plow and possibly damaging an expensive and beautiful locomotive. Maybe someone on the forum will find a way to successfully modify one of these trucks with a longer coupler, or even better, install a working coupler with some sideways movement in the plow and share it with the rest of us. View AttachmentGood point. Let me look into it, but will be September before I can do much as I’m traveling all of August. I think the “solution” will be a AZLlabs produced replacement coupler for the fixed plow that will allow it to swing, but not come out of the socket. You will need to manually couple to that replacement part, but that’s the same situation as currently exists, so should not be a big deal. How does that sound?
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 28, 2023 12:46:54 GMT -5
Since this post and my direct email to AZL have been met with crickets, I think it’s safe to assume the ALCO PA can not run in an A-A-B-A configuration unless your layout has wide radius curves. The front truck replacement does not exist. They do exist. Available from azldirect. www.azldirect.com/parts
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