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Post by fulingyu on Dec 26, 2023 23:59:12 GMT -5
A bit of schadenfreude from me? Perhaps. AZL offered him significantly more for his tooling than he eventually sold it for to MTL. The problem was we were the first to offer to buy it, and I think he was very unhappy that we offered less than it cost him to make it in the first place. Then pride kicked in, and I beleive he was embarassed to come back to us negotiate. He essentially gave it to MTL. Boy, you just had to remind me about this. Another bone i have to pick with MTL. i tried to accept the way they do things, but it starts to bother me. MTL has constantly chosen to build their Z scale business on repaints of their old existing molds and their fantasy Christmas sets and fantasy collections. There is no innovation and no new model designs coming from them. The last new design model from MTL was the heavyweight business car and that was even more unique because MTL didn't even make heavyweights, only streamliners. However, that was 2018, over 5 years ago. And then everything they have is now pre-order only. So, if they don't get enough pre-orders, they won't do the repaints. Obviously, MTL has access to manufacturers. they recently did a rerelease of some of their passenger cars and some F7's to go with them. And somebody is making those plastic robots for their Christmas train, And the funky coppola on the caboose of the War of the Worlds set. But it seems like MTL is only half hearted and not fully committed to Z scale as much as AZL is. Look, I get it that this is the MTL business model and that this is how they choose to run their operations. But I vote with my wallet. I do have MTL products but the vast majority were bought years ago.This past year I have only bought 3 or 4 MTL products. just things I don't really need- just trying to give them a little support. However I have spent an obscene amount on AZL products in that same time frame. (You're welcome Rob, Rob,Hans). But you guys deserve it. At one time years ago, i felt that MTL and AZL were roughly equals in the Z scale market. However, AZL has far surpassed them in terms of offerings, design, innovation, and keeping the fan base charged and energized. i thank you for that. And I look forward to future releases from you. Although my wallet may not like it. I managed to get some of Marsillius passenger coaches back in the day. I wish I could have gotten more. I find the Marsilius coaches to have better detailing than MTL's version. It bothers me that since acquiring the Marsilius tooling, MTL has sat on them and not released a superior product than theirs. i can't recall that they've ever done anything with those molds.
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Post by fulingyu on Oct 22, 2023 13:49:58 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing. I especially like that you had different kinds of trains running. The last show I visited they were only running intermodals with diesels and a "mile long" of container cars with an occasional passenger train.
Seeing the refrigerator Tropicana Express, the coal drag, and even a logging train WITH a steam locomotive - as well as a passenger train running on the same layout was very nice.
I know that it may not be historically accurate "era wise" but I found it personally pleasing to see the mixed variety in action.
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Post by fulingyu on Sept 19, 2023 20:12:52 GMT -5
These Frisco E8's are totally eye catching. Now if we only had some matching passenger cars for them to pull (hint, hint). Meteor or Texas Special anyone?
Maybe a special limited edition like with the Pere Marquette you released earlier?
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Post by fulingyu on Aug 17, 2023 15:03:41 GMT -5
Finally B units are available separately. Now on to A-B-B and even A-B-B-B rather than just A-B or A-B-B-A.
Hopefully this trend will continue. Hint. Hint.
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Post by fulingyu on Jun 3, 2023 2:06:26 GMT -5
I purchased one of the original passenger sets along with the locomotive sets to go with! Very curious to knowβ¦Is there another rerun on the horizon for this (passenger)name train? It sold out very quick! And if so what is the ETA! Thanks, Ken No plans for a rerun of the Golden State at the moment. Congratulations - you have a rare gem! Not really trying to bust your chops here, but . . . Back in the June 2021 video highlighting the Golden State, you said that the train would be in really limited supply but "Don't worry. We will make more ". Obviously things have changed in a couple of years. Scheduling conflicts. Other new releases. Change in direction or focus. Are you able to share with us the reasons why the plans changed? Just wondering if the Golden State will be replaced with another named train? And by the way, weren't there supposed to be two more versions of the California Zephyr coming?
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Post by fulingyu on May 16, 2023 4:13:00 GMT -5
I can say with great confidence that CoLA will be released in May of 2023 and an additional run of UP E units will be available in June of 2023 Well, looks like we're guaranteed a third round of new releases this month. Dare we hope for an unprecedented FOURTH round? Ha,we can only hope.π
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Post by fulingyu on Mar 11, 2023 1:56:44 GMT -5
Now we just need the rest of the train....! And some chairs to go with the rooftop table on the loco Now that you mention it, it does kinda look like one of those plastic lawn chair tables
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Post by fulingyu on Dec 19, 2022 20:43:09 GMT -5
I thought the sample you got looked pretty good. I can't imagine there is that much more to do. View AttachmentIs that the Rokuhan shorty version? How much? π€
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Post by fulingyu on Dec 19, 2022 1:51:56 GMT -5
Although it's been extremely rare, AZL has twice had a THIRD monthly new release date. So there is still some hope for this year π€
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Post by fulingyu on Aug 27, 2022 22:57:07 GMT -5
Combine cars! The missing link!?! What roads will be included? Does this mean another run of sold out heavyweights is also coming eventually?
Whoa COLA is still in the works with dome diner and dome observation? Even though it was sent back for rework, it's still a great time for passenger train fans.
And the Pere Marquette is just icing on the cake π°
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Post by fulingyu on Jul 11, 2022 17:53:10 GMT -5
Alright everybody-who wants one?! 1x for me! Love great looking passenger trains. I'll order a set. π EDIT: Sorry, hit the wrong button. Didn't mean to like my own post.Tried deleting it but it won't delete.
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Post by fulingyu on Jun 1, 2022 19:58:37 GMT -5
Question to the NPR Experts: What AZL rolling stock can I use with this beautiful Alco PA-1`s? Thank you! Best, Sven Sven, I kinda wondered the same thing myself. Anyway, Google is our friend. While most pictures of the NPKR PA1 show an AA configuration pulling freight consists, I think these AZL models woiuld look great pulling these matching blue roof streamliners (hint, hint, Rob). I think they were called Blue Bird or something similar. BTW this is a Con Cor N Gauge set. Attachments:
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Post by fulingyu on Apr 24, 2022 2:00:14 GMT -5
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Post by fulingyu on Mar 30, 2022 9:01:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the notice. Take care and be safe.
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Post by fulingyu on Mar 17, 2022 0:08:13 GMT -5
Remember that Hans said that there were 2 more previously unannounced locomotives still "in the works"? Wouldn't it be fantastic if the F40 was one of them? We can only hope and dream.π€π€€
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