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Post by atw on Feb 11, 2016 13:48:22 GMT -5
Knowing as we do now that AZL will be doing another run of RDCs, here's my (unlikely) candidate. The Port Authority of Allegheny County's RDCs started out in life as RDC-3s but were rebuilt by SEPTA to RDC-1s and then moved west from Philly to Pittsburgh. BTW, anybody interested in some background reading on the Budd RDCs really ought to try and pick up a copy of Don Duke & Ed Keilty's "RDC - The Budd Rail Diesel Car" from Golden West Books (no connection whatsoever, I just like the book). Adrian
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Post by atw on Feb 11, 2016 11:40:57 GMT -5
Thanks Rob - I have them all but I'm contemplating getting another full set, they look so darn good I might just ignore the running numbers. ... which makes me realize I might want to substitute the Amtrak MOW train on my list with AZL's P&LE GP38-2, they went like a flash and I totally missed those. Hmm? What's that? What do you mean "AZL never offered P&LE GP38-2s"?? Surely that can't be... (HINT HINT ) cheerZ Adrian
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Post by atw on Feb 10, 2016 15:52:14 GMT -5
As for the RDC (great news, by the way) I'd really like to see Amtrak (I guess that's a likely choice) and Port Authority of Allegheny County (not going to happen, I know).
The three items? a) MTL Amtrak MOW train (I'd actually prefer an AZL version...) b) some AZL 53' well car sets (I missed most of them) c) some more Full Throttle (Pennzee) 100t hoppers (they sell out faster than you can say "sold out").
Adrian
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Post by atw on Feb 10, 2016 13:36:55 GMT -5
okay, I can offer up a new angle on this discussion - I actually *want* to move to DCC but I keep pushing it back because I'm simply too *lazy*. Guess that makes me a lazy *DC railroader* ...
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Post by atw on Feb 7, 2016 16:29:10 GMT -5
I had that problem in a really big way with Kato track when I was dabbling in N for a short time, guess it comes as a collateral effect of the smaller scales (and seems to vary a lot between different production batches). In Z, however, I've been very lucky so far with both Micro-Track and Rokuhan. I did, however, have one very nasty bump on a curve with ballasted Rokuhan track but was able to iron it out by doing exactly what davestubbs suggests - just passing a "non-powered" dremel polishing disk over the joint a couple of times. A jeweller's file would work fine too.
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Post by atw on Feb 5, 2016 9:04:58 GMT -5
Wipes and such work well but don't take oxidation/corrosion off metal. That's exactly the point, i.e. the problem I'm fighting. I'm very happy with the Rokuhan track I have on one of my modules (my usual choice is Micro-Track), but somehow it seems to oxidize very quickly - which of course means that hidden track (although access is provided) is a nuisance. In short: I'm not fighting dirt and grime, it's more of a chemical tussle. Which makes the Gaugemaster an interesting option. I had a Relco unit way back in my H0 days and that worked fine, and reading the mostly positive input here I think I'm going to go for that once I have the 16V AC sorted out (or can steal a good idea from here on the forum). cheerZ Adrian
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Post by atw on Jan 30, 2016 14:47:22 GMT -5
Rob, I look forward to another eastern run of Bethgons. And I didn't know there was a western road called BEEF. Or is it BUFF? BIFF? BOFF? heck, I give up...
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Post by atw on Jan 27, 2016 16:07:03 GMT -5
Good point, Guba. And I would add "era" to "area" - seems to me that track is generally maintained to much higher standards these days. Looking at color pictures from the 70s and 80s some of that ballast looks as though it's been there for ever, completely stained with rust and soot.
Adrian
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Post by atw on Jan 27, 2016 15:50:57 GMT -5
Now this may sound funny, but... it's GP7s and GP38-2s for me! There's such a huge potential there for so many class 1 and 2 roads and shortlines... it's mouthwatering. I was thrilled to see the Genesee & Wyoming GP38-2s and being promised further GP38-2s soon, and it would be great to see something similar happening with the GP7s and GP9s.
cheerZ Adrian
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Post by atw on Jan 22, 2016 17:10:57 GMT -5
I prefer a minimalist shake-the-box approach too - I simply add a shoulder of Woodlands fine grey ballast to the Rokuhan track and leave the inside of the track well alone. If you look down on it, sure, it shows, but it actually looks quite good (well, by my standards) from all other angles and I've never had any problems with derailments or stalling or such. I simply heap the ballast gently onto the shoulder from a teaspoon that I rest on the rail sideways and slightly tilted, and then tamp it into place so it comes right up to the sleepers; a mist of "wet water" (i.e. water with the standard drop or two of washing up liquid to break up surface tension) and then a 2:1 mix of wet water and white glue secures it forever. With turnouts, I seal the edges of the track first with a line of white glue before applying the ballast; that way the water-glue mixture applied to the ballast won't seep underneath the turnout and mess up things. Never had a problem so far. cheerZ Adrian
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Post by atw on Jan 16, 2016 15:25:49 GMT -5
Rob
Just as a sidenote - a total of 26 Re 4/4-II were modified as of 1999 to allow running on German rails (most importantly adding the German train safety system INDUSI and a wider pickup-sweeper on the pantograph) and then designated Re 421. They're mostly being used by SBB Cargo (Germany) but have also been used frequently on passenger trains - just what modellers like, a prototype that does almost everything.
I really like the way the painted backdrop is part of the actual background scenery, that's a very nice touch.
Adrian
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Post by atw on Jan 15, 2016 15:33:48 GMT -5
Rob I always enjoy seeing a model of an actual location, which is really pretty tough in Z but you did a great job there. And ah yes, good old SZL ... Castle Frankenstein, huh? I bet when the first train traversed that stretch of your layout you mumbled to yourself "it's alive, alive!" cheerZ Adrian
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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 atw on Jan 6, 2016 16:54:03 GMT -5
Dom
Not sure in which geographical context your roadnumbers will have to fit in, but in 2014 GP40 #3000 was running on the New England Central still wearing its B&P logo and number (just google "Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad leading New England Central in Palmer Mass" for a youtube video showing that). I believe it kept its loco number after being sold to the NECR.
I myself am going to leave the numbers as they are and just pretend that it's Genesee & Wyoming corporate practice to do so, and until I get around to decaling the blank logos I'll even pretend the paint shop painted out the former lettering and then forgot to apply the new one - I've seen worse mistakes coming out of railroad paintshops.
cheerZ Adrian
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Post by atw on Jan 5, 2016 13:24:29 GMT -5
Dave, Most of the Trinity BNSF Reefer have the AC as in the first picture, don't worry, it's the wrong body style anyway, the real BNSF version is 72' long I for one am quite happy to accept a certain amount of compromise and put additional choice above total prototype faithfulness and accuracy, especially in Z Scale.
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