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Post by dave on Nov 17, 2015 22:23:20 GMT -5
I want to thank everyone for your input and the offers to sell some of the rolling stock. At this time, I would really like to find, like some others here, is a set of the Coalporters in the BNSF green end scheme. I would also be interested in a set of the UTLX 90502 23,500 gallon tank cars. Thanks again for the replies and I would like to hear more opinions and conversations.
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Post by dave on Nov 16, 2015 12:24:58 GMT -5
I looked on ztrackresale and there are 3 AZL passenger cars (all new, current models) and 3 freight cars.
I checked eBay and there is exactly one AZL item that is "used". All other items are listed by resellers.
It appears that when people buy AZL products, they hold on to them.
Regarding Micro-Trains, I have been able to find everything I wanted for MTL cars; I suppose since they have been making Z-scale for 30-40 years, some of the older stuff comes up for sale for various reasons.
Please keep in my mind I am not complaining or bashing anyone, just observations and conversation starters.
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Post by dave on Nov 16, 2015 10:48:53 GMT -5
Good morning,
As a newbie in Z-scale, I have been looking to pick up some used equipment, but there doesn't seem to be very much used AZL stuff out there. Even Micro-Trains stuff is pretty limited on eBay. I suppose this has to do with the amount of Z-scalers out there, but since AZL has been going at it pretty hard for a few years now, I would expect more used AZL equipment on the market. I know that, several years ago, AZL sold out of their products very quickly and I assume that was due to very short production runs. Any opinions or ideas on the lack of used AZL stuff???
Also, would AZL consider putting a Buy/Sell/Swap section on this forum?
Thanks for looking.
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Post by dave on Oct 23, 2015 15:50:21 GMT -5
Nebraska, United States
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Post by dave on Oct 21, 2015 21:53:18 GMT -5
Good evening,
I am contemplating purchasing an AZL SD75M locomotive and I would want to have the front plow installed. I saw some instructions on doing it and that is something I cannot do. Is there anyone here that would install that plow for a fee? I already have a GP7 and will be running it on a minimum of 245mm Rokuhan curves; if I want the body mount couplers with pilots installed, would there be any issues with running on those curves using Micro-Trains rolling stock? Again, I would need someone to install the pilots on the GP7.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks for looking.
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Post by dave on Oct 14, 2015 11:10:08 GMT -5
John, a couple of other things to note.
1. If you are looking at the NCE DCC system and the recommended power supply, it provides an output of 13.8V DC to the track which it too high for Z-scale. You don't want any more than 12V DC to the tracks. I am not sure how people that are using DCC are regulating this; maybe someone will chime in.
2. Even though Micro-Trains makes locomotives, the only ones currently available are F7s (the GP35s and SD40-2s can be found if you look hard enough, but not many roadnames). I am not impressed with the F7s; they are noisy and in my opinion, don't run very well. I would not recommend the MTL F7s but rather stick with AZL locomotives. They currently make F3s, E8s, GP38-2s and SD70 series locos. You can still easily find most GP7, GP9, GP30 and Mikado steamers as well.
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Post by dave on Oct 13, 2015 21:09:48 GMT -5
John,
Here is my take on Z-scale as I am also a beginner. First, I will list what I think are the challenges with Z-scale.
1. On average, it is at least 50% more expensive than N-scale. Some people may argue with this but if you compare apples to apples, that number is pretty close.
2. For the average Z-scaler, there are only three manufacturers of locomotives (AZL, Micro-Trains and Marklin). I will certainly credit AZL with bringing out a very nice variety of locos, though. I myself bought an AZL GP7.
3. Regarding U.S. style rolling stock, you are pretty much limited to two manufacturers (AZL and Micro-Trains). AZL is great at newer, more modern rolling stock and Micro-Trains covers everything from steam era to very modern. The average MTL car will run about $20 street price and the average AZL car will run about $40, but for that extra, you get metal wheels and more detail. All of my rolling stock is Micro-Trains, simply because of era. I did pick up an AZL Wide Vision caboose, though.
4. One thing I look at with model trains is the secondary, or used, market. You simply don't find a lot of used Z-scale out there, at least compared to N-scale. I am sure this is in direct proportion to number of Z-scalers vs. N-scalers.
5. The simple fact is that there are significantly less Z-scalers than N-scalers, so the variety of locos and rolling stock is much more limited. With that being said, Micro-Trains still releases a few new things each months and AZL releases a lot every month. The gap is definitely closing.
6. Track. For the most part, there are three choices for track. Marklin sectional track without roadbed, Rokuhan roadbed track (Japanese or European tie spacing) and Micro-Trains roadbed track. Rokuhan a great variety of track pieces and their turnouts work really nice, whereas Micro-Trains has a much more limited selection and their turnouts can be problematic at times.
Now, for the pros of Z-scale.
1. The coolness factor. Seeing something this small, with this much detail and running qualities, is simply unmatched in any other scale.
2. Obviously, the space required. You can get significantly more in the same space with Z-scale vs. N-scale.
3. Power, you can realistically run a small layout with a 9V controller.
In my opinion, Z-scale is a great option or secondary scale to N-scale. That is the route I am taking. I can't give up N-scale yet, but who knows down the road. Figure to spend $300 to get started. That will get you an AZL GP38, an oval of Rokuhan track witha turnout siding, a Rokuhan controller and three or four pieces of rolling stock. It is definitely worth trying out.
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Post by dave on Oct 10, 2015 17:02:49 GMT -5
Good afternoon,
I got the Kato power pack out and did some testing. At full throttle on Rokuhan track, it was 13.6 volts. I scaled back the throttle to 11.8 volts and made a mark on the throttle. I then tested the GP35; obviously, it run much faster at 11.8 volts and it seemed to run OK. I then tried the MTL SD40-2 and it was about the same result. Finally, the AZL GP7; it ran very nice; smoother than either MTL. I was happy with speed increase but I think the happy medium is about 9.8V to 10.8V. I am going to make some sort of small stop I can glue to the Kato power pack so I don't exceed that voltage by accident. Thanks to everyone for your help.
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Post by dave on Oct 7, 2015 21:54:06 GMT -5
Rob,
Thanks for your help. I have several of the Kato powerpacks and I will give one a try. I will report back with the results. Thanks again.
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Post by dave on Oct 5, 2015 19:16:36 GMT -5
Rob,
I was just looking at the Rokuhan controllers and they say that the maximum output is 10V at 800mA. The AC adapter has an output of 12V and if you use the 8 AA batteries, that is also 12V. With the 10V max output, will it really make a difference vs. the 9V snail controller? Thanks again for your help.
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Post by dave on Oct 5, 2015 13:08:19 GMT -5
Hans, it is a CB&Q GP7.
Also, will it hurt Micro-Trains locos to use the 12V Rokuhan controller?
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Post by dave on Oct 4, 2015 21:59:43 GMT -5
Good evening,
Today, I test ran 3 Z-scale locos that I purchased over the last couple of months. First is an AZL GP7; next is a MTL GP35 and finally, a MTL SD40-2. I am using 3 sections of Rokuhan straight track a Z-Track Snail 9V controller. The controller is about 4 years old but I put a new battery in it today.
All of the locos ran very slowly (I am used to N-scale). Even at full throttle, they seemed very slow to me. The AZL was the fastest with the GP35 second and the SD40-2 the slowest.
My question is whether these locos would run any faster using a Rokuhan controller; I just feel they are too slow using the Snail controller and question whether they would even be able to climb a small grade with any cars attached.
Any input from your experience and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Dave
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Post by dave on Sept 20, 2015 20:38:04 GMT -5
I agree that AZL has really helped Z-scale advance with all of their offerings. I bought an AZL GP7 and a Wide Vision Caboose in Burlington Route but all of the rest of my rolling stock is Micro-Trains. I am OK with that. My future plans include Burlington Northern and Rock Island, both AZL and Micro-Trains. The offerings of AZL and MTL don't really compete with each other and both keep offering lots of products and that is good for all of us in Z-scale.
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Post by dave on Aug 3, 2015 19:56:24 GMT -5
Daze,
I have ordered a loop of track with 245mm curves, my Z-Track Snail controller and have a big sheet of 2" pink foam. I look forward to following your build on Trainboard.
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Post by dave on Jul 19, 2015 15:37:42 GMT -5
I was thinking more of something like this.
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