|
Post by dazed on Mar 25, 2024 10:21:05 GMT -5
Guess it depends on what you're modeling? What types of trains are you running? My frame of reference is North American railroads and the top (with modifications mentioned below) would be BNSF or UP in the Southwest portion of the US. The bottom might be something like the NS or CSX in the Northeast, or it also looks like parts of Missouri so back to UP, BNSF, CPKC, et al.
Both have merits...I think for the desert version you need to use more sand/yellow grass for the ground cover below. You won't have the benefit of a lot of trees but you do need some type of vegetation...joshua trees or mesquites, cactuses and other appropriate plants, plus more rocks spread about. Short random sprouts of yellow static grass would help the look, or darker colors for specific types of vegitation...I'm not really up to speed on modeling desert scenery but there should be plenty of online resources with tips. It doesn't have to be desert, it could be "high plains" with the desert-ish plateaus like that.
For the "colorful" version, you will need trees and lots of them for the effect to be good. I would also add a mound to about 1/4 or 1/3 of the plateau just to give it a little more uneven look. The super flat plateaus are common in the desert, but in other climes it would be an oddity for the most part. But maybe that is more common in Europe, dunno.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 21, 2024 17:19:57 GMT -5
BN/BNSF had Baby Tunnel Motors... (Only half-kidding... The GP15-1 shared the signature lower-rear see-thru air intakes and rooftop-mounted radiators. 4-axle vs 6-axle but the resemblance is there.)
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 21, 2024 13:08:43 GMT -5
For the next production run, here are the Original buyers of the EMD GP38-2 I'd prefer to see (and not previously made by AZL): CRIP (Rock Island) BRC (Belt Rwy. of Chicago) B&M (Boston & Maryland) CSS (Chicago, South Shore & South Bend) South Shore Freight CRR (Clinchfield) DT&I (Detroit, Toledo & Ironton) EJ&E (Elgin, Joliet & Eastern) GM&O (Gulf, Mobile & Ohio) ICG (Illinois Central Gulf) IT (Illinois Terminal) LI (Long Island) PC (Penn Central) they bought the most with 223 units P&LE (Pittsburgh and Lake Erie) SCL (Seaboard Coast Line) TM (Tex Mex) TP&W (Toledo, Peoria and Western) Wow, you have some varied interests! Good bet that quite a few of those made it to Chicago at times.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 19, 2024 14:43:58 GMT -5
On another thread, Hans mentions that upon further review that GP38-2 tooling is still in play, after a previous warning that they might not be able to do any more runs of the popular locomotive. So of course, we must build our Christmas List of schemes we want! Here are mine. I'm definitely not on the nice list, but I won't be deterred. 1. Another run of Santa Fe, for sure. Sold mine when I thought I was getting out of Z and now....regret. 2. More Gennessee & Wyoming's. Go a little brighter on the orange this time maybe? 3. EMDX Lease - Same, very ubiquitous scheme that could (and was) literally on every railroad in North America. 4. BN Whiteface - www.flickr.com/photos/hunter1828/32740997055. More modern-scheme (80's+) UP I have a Santa Fe (first run) for sale if you want it... Thank you. AZL in Z and Scaletrains & Atlas in N have me officially tapped out for now. I sent you a PM with a little more explanation. But I sincerely appreciate you giving me a heads-up. I anticipate AZL's release of these will be of a sufficient time in the future, that I might have replenished my disposable income.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 19, 2024 11:40:54 GMT -5
One of the reasons the MidweZt HaulerZ chose the Z-bend Track concept is that it has 2 mainlines. One can be DC and the other can be DCC. The Free-mo concept only specifies/requires a single track, and thus having two control standards would not be wise. And, it wouldn't follow Free-mo spec. So if one wants to do that it's perfectly fine, it just would not be Free-mo.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 19, 2024 10:20:25 GMT -5
I am not aware of any Free-moZ groups.
I have considered it.
I think the reason it hasn't a following in Z (yet?) is because of your second paragraph, which is sort of a summary of the challenges all modular spec's face. I do think that if you don't require DCC, that would be huge mistake.
I split my time now between Z and also in N as a member of a Free-moN group in Texas. I have mixed feelings about modular groups. I do think modular railroading is great...my ultimate goal with Free-moN is to be able to build a series of modules as my "dream layout" and be able to set it up temporarily at home for ops sessions but otherwise don't have a massive footprint of a home layout.
My goal is Z is the opposite. I want to build that home layout in Z. I can build my " reasonable dream layout" in a small bedroom. One of the two options (Free-moN modules setup on a whim, or the Z home layout) will eventually win out. We are anticipating moving in 3-4 years and I'll see what type of space I'll have then. (which will be our "forever home" until we hit the retirement community phase)
The great thing about Free-moN is that it is ops-focused and "holds a higher standard" all across the board. (or at least it is supposed to) In Z, ops is less of a thing currently. Do I think Free-moZ, with focus on ops and pushing the envelope modeling-wise is possible? Yes. Are we there yet? Maybe. I do think Z is seeing a resurgance so we'll see.
The things I don't like about the modular concept is (a) politics, (b) lack of congruity on modules, and (c) as the modules get smaller you get more people which means less windows for running trains, more politics, and more of the congruity problem. When our Free-moN group started, it was supposed to be a small group that would setup a few times per year to do ops, *generally* in the D/FW area. It took about 5 minutes to spiral out of control and guys wanting to be part of massive setups across the US. Not really my cup of tea.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 19, 2024 10:17:19 GMT -5
On another thread, Hans mentions that upon further review that GP38-2 tooling is still in play, after a previous warning that they might not be able to do any more runs of the popular locomotive. So of course, we must build our Christmas List of schemes we want! Here are mine. I'm definitely not on the nice list, but I won't be deterred. 1. Another run of Santa Fe, for sure. Sold mine when I thought I was getting out of Z and now....regret. 2. More Gennessee & Wyoming's. Go a little brighter on the orange this time maybe? 3. EMDX Lease - Same, very ubiquitous scheme that could be (and was) literally on every railroad in North America. 4. BN Whiteface - www.flickr.com/photos/hunter1828/32740997055. More modern-scheme (80's+) UP
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 19, 2024 10:01:08 GMT -5
I am very familiar with AZL I have been buying their products for 15 years and have 100 pieces. My question was just thoughts on a budget line. I love Z scale, but it’s getting harder for me to afford it. That said, I will probably be returning to N scale. One tip: pay attention to the Black Friday sales. That is a good way to get some of the newer locos at a discount. ZTrackResale.com also has some prices that are a bit of a discount off the retailers price. Assuming you're not super particular about roadnames I think you'll find deals with a little patience and a little leg work. If you have a particular road/era (like me) then it gets a little tougher but it can be done...I still seem to manage to find a way to justify one Black Friday deal for my roster every year. Just be ready for the BF sales and have an idea of what you really want...if something remotely interesting hits you have act quickly. In larger scales, you can get by with cheaper motors, cheaper pickups, lighter weight, etc because of the physics of it all. As things get smaller, there is less tolerence with all of these components. The GP38-2 is a unicorn. A product of super-amortized tooling, a lengthy run where cost-of-living and inflation has gradually (and recently not-so-gradually) ticked the prices up over the years, and likely AZL doing it as a loss-leader to let people get in the game.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 18, 2024 18:41:39 GMT -5
Well, despite some mildly ruffled feathers, I think this is good dialog and I encourage the two main players to return to your corners and have some water, rest for a sec, take some deep breaths. Regarding the price, we'll truly know that answer as time passes. I will say initially I had in my mind that the price would be well over $100 even discounted, so $85 sort of changed my take a little. I think the benefit of the keepalive is significant, and I think the design and attention to details adds a lot of value too. Note the dim headlights and ditchlights that have been the norm. Of course we don't KNOW that this decoder addresses that yet, but I suspect it will. (so, more time needs to pass...) My bigger concern was the warranty. Funny, I read through that instruction sheet about four times before responding this morning and missed the info about the warranty. Being under the "ATTENTION" header, (and beginning with a comment on static discharge) I assumed that section was more of a section on basic electronics safety and didn't read down far enough to see what I was seeking all along. And I agree that it's not clear what the process for warranty issues would be. I can tell you that most dealers I work with will say send it to the manufacturer, we don't support the product. Yet you seem to indicate at least partial reliance on them that you may not have at your disposal....or maybe you do? (And again....we need more time to assess. If support of the product is very good, that value increases.) And there are other value components. How does the loco run with the decoder, etc. Finally, for those feeling like there aren't options, I cannot imagine that the following won't work with this loco, even if Digitrax and TCS are truly dragging their feet or dropping out altogether. www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/first-azl-rs-3-dcc-conversion.132337 This is Robert Ray's conversion on the RS3 that uses a screw-in board just like the SD40-2. I do think a lot of these discussion points are valid, and may be closer to a version of constructive criticism--versus the anonymous blatently disrespectful type--than was originally thought. So hopefully we can continue on and learn some things...
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 18, 2024 14:15:57 GMT -5
Ed, I alluded to that concept above. So yeah, probably not for the SW1500 for example, that makes sense of course. Now, as I was reading through the SD40-2 thread, there was mention that the board works for all versions of the SD40-2 including the tunnel motors. But ALSO the interesting part is that it appears the board may also work for the SD50's, SD60's, and SD60M's too. THAT is good news, and then it is starting to look like maybe they might standardize on that one board for the six-axle locos going forward. (Since the C44-9W's and AC4400's share the mech with the ES44's, they probably will use the older decoders though I would guess.)
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 18, 2024 14:07:32 GMT -5
He has an upper and lower LED on the board. Comment on my product page on my site: "There are extended light features - the special dual LED configuration of the front lights can be adjusted by decoder settings to fit into different variations of SD40-2 locomotives - with upper headlights above the driver's cabin or without them." Frank, thanks for the reply. I also was reading further back in this thread and found more info: azlforum.com/post/30640/threadSo the bottom provides light to nose headlight and ditchlights, the top provides light to cab "brow" mounted headlights, or headlights on the front of high-nose versions of the SD40-2.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 18, 2024 12:29:32 GMT -5
It's easy to *say* that "oh, yeah, manufacturers can whip up bespoke products NO PROBLEM". But the reality it's never "no problem" and no manufacturer wants to have to do that versus a standardized product that works across the board. I think that might explain the silence from Digitrax and TCS for the new releases. I haven't heard what they have in store for the SD40-2 for example...anyone? BTW, I'm not saying I think the screw-on boards are a bad idea at all. But it could have been better executed with a common size board. I get it that the SW1500 is an outlier but everything else could have been done off a single board most likely.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 18, 2024 12:13:21 GMT -5
I forgot to mention this but...
Regarding the SD40-2 decoder, it definitely isn't comparing apples to apples. The built-in caps (aka "Energy Storage Module") on these decoders is a massive deal. If you bought decoders from any other manufacturer, you would at best have to buy an add-on piece that probably wouldn't even fit in a Z loco. (that is if that feature was available at all.) And by the way, the sum of those items would be likely be much greater than $85, unless you went DIY for the caps in which case you probably have voided any warranties anyway.
So there really is nothing like it on the market, and probably won't be. Aside from the concern about warranty, support, longevity of the company, etc.--and assuming it works properly--this will be an amazing decoder.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 18, 2024 10:40:33 GMT -5
Anthony has them listed today 3/18: $84.99 (ZDL-AZL-SD40-2 retail for $109). I added x2 to my cart, plus the ZDL-AZL-SW for $80.00 (retail $100); my cart is now over $250 for 3 decoders w/ shipping. It definitely is a conundrum. Thanks for the update...I just got two of them.
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Mar 18, 2024 9:58:10 GMT -5
While I do support Alex in his endeavours, I'll admit I was having pretty much the same question this morning.
I've said this before, but I imagine that doing unique boards in every new locomotive is probably not making the manufacturers of decoders happy, as they have to basically design something new every time.
It does seem to me like AZL unofficially abandoned DCC because they didn't want to make the effort to support their old form factors for the boards.
Admittedly, Digitrax and TCS didn't put a lot of effort into the deal either, as the decoders were rife with fit problems, which pushed AZL this direction.
So now, we're left with nobody willing to do anything at the old price. One manufacturer is willing at 2x the price and that's where we are.
With everything except the SW1500, you can probably hardwire cheaper decoders from other manufacturers.
But my main concern is, I'm gonna go all-in with Zmodell and then they disappear. It happens.
|
|