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Post by ztrack on Apr 22, 2024 13:18:14 GMT -5
The National Train Show in Long Beach, CA is coming up in August. We have made the decision not to participate in this years NTS. The show has been drastically downsized and moved to a ballroom, versus a convention hall. There will be no vendor displays, just tables. The number of public attendees have been limited with time slots assigned. The Z scale clubs that would be at this show running trains are not hearing back from the NTS about space. All and all, it doesn't feel like the type of show we are accustomed to. We are very disappointed since we have so many Z scalers in California that we would love to be able to meet and support.
In 2025, the show will be in Novi, MI. It will be held the weekend of July 18th. This will be back to a convention hall format. We have already committed to being at the show and have completed the necessary paperwork with the NTS. We hope to see you there!
Rob
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Post by ztrack on Apr 21, 2024 18:52:00 GMT -5
With summer fast approaching, I have been working to finish the inside of my Z scale T-Trak-Z end cap module. This module is rural themed The interior features will be a cattle barn with pen, and fields. There is a hill that helps separate the scene on the one corner. But this hill will also be heavily tree covered. I wanted represent trains running through a cut. Next up is applying soil, ground cover, ballast and greenery. Then it is on to trees and bushes.
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Post by ztrack on Apr 17, 2024 21:34:02 GMT -5
Lol! I really need to be more specific next time…
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Post by ztrack on Apr 17, 2024 7:38:07 GMT -5
Update time!
6205-1 UP GP7 102 6205-2 UP GP7 113 71918-1 BURLINGTON RPO UNITED STATES MAIL RAILWAY POST OFFICE CB&Q 2337 Silver 73507-1 NEW YORK CENTRAL Diner 440 Lightweight Passenger Car 73707-0 NEW YORK CENTRAL Coach Lightweight Passenger Car 73615-2 GREAT NORTHERN Baggage STORAGE MAIL 277 Lightweight Passenger Car
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Post by ztrack on Apr 17, 2024 7:33:35 GMT -5
Update on the GE Demonstrator. It is not sold out but darn close... really darn close...
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Post by ztrack on Apr 17, 2024 7:31:41 GMT -5
We would love to have them back... but who is 'them'. From what we can tell, they have changed owners twice in a matter of months. No one has reached out to us. At this point they would have to reapply to be a dealer since the transfer is not automatic. But the application process is easy, just a plain white envelope and unmarked bills is all that is required...
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Post by ztrack on Apr 16, 2024 19:51:51 GMT -5
Sorry missed that question. Fred knew Al very well. Here is what he wrote in the issue of Ztrack we highlighted:
by Fred Ladd Contributing Editor
Al started in Z more than 20 years ago. His first scratch railcars were 3-dome tank cars (something we could still use today). He built the original of what has become the Penzee hopper. He also made four-truck depressed-center flat cars, 80-foot flat cars, passenger cars, etc.
Al was a Corsair/Hellcat pilot during WWII and was shot down. The Chance Vought F4U Corsair in the above photo is also one of Al’s scratch-built masterpieces.
He has always been at the forefront of Z, building different cars, thirty at a whack. He loved his chopper, and at 84 he still has all his fingers. Sadly, Al recently suffered a stroke and has had to give up scratch-building in Z. As we all know, once bitten by the Z bug there is no cure. The Z Community salutes a great modeler and a Z pioneer.
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Post by ztrack on Apr 14, 2024 19:25:52 GMT -5
AMERICAN Z LINE April 2024 New Releases Part 2 ES44AC – General Electric Demonstrator! For the 2nd release of the new run of ES44AC’s we have the GE Demonstrator locomotive in an outstanding paint scheme! 62416-1 GE Demonstrator ES44AC 2012 AZL’s ES44ACs include directional controlled LED lighting, blackened metal wheels, traction tires, AZL AutoLatchTM couplers pre-installed front pilots/plows, DCC ready, and optional truck with coupler. EMD SD40-2 – Milwaukee Road There are three different road numbers to choose from. 64204-1 Milwaukee SD40-2 183 64204-2 Milwaukee SD40-2 187 64204-3 Milwaukee SD40-2 190 The Milwaukee SD40-2s feature: Early Production Cab Headlights Rachet Brake Dynamic Brake Sunshades Low Snowplow Beacon Light 3200 Gallon Fuel Tank Leslie S3LR Airhorn Open Grid Radiators Original Fans Bay Window Small width Anticlimber HTC Trucks 81´Nose Prototypical Antennas and more..... In addition, all AZL SD40-2s include directional controlled LED lighting, blackened metal wheels, traction tires, AZL AutoLatchTM couplers and optional pilots/plows. HEAVYWEIGHT COMBINE COACHES – Northern Pacific The NP combines are available in two road numbers. 74033-1 Northern Pacific Heavyweight Combine 1101 3 axle 74033-2 Northern Pacific Heavyweight Combine 1102 3 axle The cars feature four windows on the baggage door. Orders of available products can be placed on Ztrack Center: ztrackcenter.comRob Kluz Ztrack Distribution
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Post by ztrack on Apr 11, 2024 7:50:48 GMT -5
Once in a while, I actually get to run trains just for fun. That is exactly what I did last night with an all spine car consist. Check out the video of the train in operation, and how great it sounds working the rails.
Rob
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Post by ztrack on Apr 1, 2024 8:01:16 GMT -5
AMERICAN Z LINE April 2024 New Releases Part 1 SD70ACE – Union Pacific – D&RGW Heritage! The new run of Heritage SD70ACEs are here! First up is D&RGW. This locomotive is different from the initial release with the GPS dome replaced with an antenna package. This represents the locomotive as seen today. 63109-2B UP SD70ACe 1989 Heritage-D&RGW AZL’s SD70ACEs include directional controlled LED lighting, blackened metal wheels, traction tires, AZL AutoLatchTM couplers pre-installed front pilots/plows, DCC ready, and optional truck with coupler. EMD SD40-2 – Conrail! There are three different road numbers to choose from. 64208-1 Conrail SD40-2 6498 64208-2 Conrail SD40-2 6499 64208-3 Conrail SD40-2 6514 The Conrail version features these specific details: Late Production Cab Headlights Brakewheel Dynamic Brake Low Snowplow 4000 Gallon Fuel Tank Leslie S3LR Airhorn Corrugated Radiators Original Fans Full width Anticlimber Flexicoil Trucks 88´Nose Prototypical Antennas and more..... In addition, all AZL SD40-2s include directional controlled LED lighting, blackened metal wheels, traction tires, AZL AutoLatchTM couplers and optional pilots/plows. ORTNER HOPPERS – Conrail: What better to go with the Conrail SD40-2s? A four-pack and two-pack are available: 905362-1 Conrail Ortner 40' Hopper 493128, 493171 2-pack 905312-1 Conrail Ortner 40' Hopper 493007, 493016, 493021, 493069 Set WIDE VISION CABOOSE – Burlington Northern The Burlington Northern SD40-2s need a caboose! We have to new road numbers: 921019-3 BN Wide vision caboose 12000 921019-4 BN Wide vision caboose 12014 Product Spotlight – Conrail SD45s! From the archives, we have added stock of the Conrail SD45s! Three road numbers are available: 63206-1 CR SD45 6066 63206-2 CR SD45 6072 63206-3 CR SD45 6101 Orders of available products can be placed on Ztrack Center: ztrackcenter.comRob Kluz Ztrack Distribution
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Post by ztrack on Mar 30, 2024 12:02:33 GMT -5
Micro-Trains purchased their Z scale line of tooling from Nelson Gray. He is considered the founder of US Z scale. MTL purchased the tooling in 1982. There is a good chance you have a car in your collection that came from this original tooling. We published an article on Nelson in 2007. It is a great read on the early years of Z scale. www.ztrack.com/13-1-Digital?search=nelson%20grayThe MTL database is a great start. We also have published in Ztrack photos of every MTL release since the 1980s. Rob
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Post by ztrack on Mar 28, 2024 7:44:16 GMT -5
With a profound sense of saddens I must report that we have sold our last Union Pacific GP7 starter set. This was the first starter set we offered for AZL. It was by far the most popular. We have finally run out of Union Pacific GP7s, and thus time to retire the set and introduce a replacement. This time, we are featuring AZL's Union Pacific RS2 diesel, with three Union Pacific freight cars. The set contains: AZL UP RS2 AZL PS2-cd covered hopper AZL ACF 2-bay covered hopper AZL PFE reefer Rokuhan RC02 controller Rokuhan R028 track oval Rokuhan A002 railing ramp Check out the starter set page of Ztrack Center for other sets we offer. ztrackcenter.com/starter-sets
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Post by ztrack on Mar 24, 2024 11:33:34 GMT -5
Thanks Sven! We are waiting for the first shipments to arrive. When they do, we will audit and validate all items. Then these will be posted on Ztrack Resale (www.ztrackresale.com). Yes, it will be first come first served!
Rob
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Post by ztrack on Mar 23, 2024 8:45:45 GMT -5
We still have plenty of GP38s available in the following roads:
L&N MP KCS Frisco MKT
We also have plans to bring back the Grand Trunk, CP and SP (speed lettering).
For the GP7/9s, we sold ALOT of these during our Friday specials. We still have available in very limited quantities:
PRR Nickle Plate C&O Sante Fe WP NYC Burlington
If you are interested in any of the GP7/9s, I would jump on them. We are down to 1 or 2 of these.
Rob
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Post by ztrack on Mar 19, 2024 7:47:44 GMT -5
And for today we have:
62008-1 WP GP7 701 Silver/Orange 64601-1 SP EMD E7A & E7B 6000, 6000B Golden State 71704-0 SOUTHERN PACIFIC Paired Window Coach C H A I R SP Dark Olive 71925-2 Rio Grande RPO UNITED STATES MAIL RAILWAY POST OFFICE 626 906510-2CA SP MAXI-I Set with 5x CAPITAL containers 513516 Red 904308-1 NH 1937 40´ AAR Box Car 21078 Single 913102-1 Milwaukee 40´ Outside Braced Boxcar 715326, 715328, 715329, 715360 Set
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