spoilybear
New Member
Hello all! New--Bee here to AZL , Getting ready for Christmass most loving time of year.
Posts: 42 
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Post by spoilybear on Dec 15, 2017 13:33:52 GMT -5
Hi all New-Bee here to AZL Z scale engines , I've been Marklin Rail Roader Z Scale for couple years Liked them but have been convinced they are not the best in what I would want in my Trains . Little of my back Ground I'm more into American style and have since childhood watching the Big F-7 and F8 in Sothern California roll along our local tracks Did see old Steamer but still don't know or remember enough about it say what type it was just as big as F-8 size wise . Been Tinker model builder from from way back . Moved on to Gun-Smithing then to Working Stiff in Union Industrial Painting, Engineering Senior Lab Soils Tech. Finally back to Gun-Smith. Decided couple years ago I no longer was interested in the businesses. and wanted to get into Model Trains. Actually back in 2004 bought Wife Small Marklin Z-Scale Christmas set. witch is now Family Tradition of running it during Christmas Holydays. Still runs like champ . And We love Christmas CD that Came with it original French-German-Austrian Songs . So got the bug and when right time came jumped into it head over so to speak. Got the bug and works on me everyday. Now back to my subject . I've finally to plunge into AZL trains . As of this writing I have not received it yet but got reasonable deal on new AZL 62411-1 for 140.00 . Planning on Repainting it to Cat Yellow and hand painting of Monster marks and have Decals made by CircusCity Decal. Matt said he could make set in Z Scale from his set in N-scale Biggest problem so far is trying to locate information about this Loco. I always like all information possible about the engine before I start into project . I did do Marklin Bumble Bee shell to making it into Engine from Marklin 8885 chassis just to have one , Like the Style of it and was quite challenge since Marklin no longer even makes parts for it . So hunt I did and very few other than Frank Daniels and Dave Smith with few others on Marklin Forum knew much about what I needed to. 8885 chassis was close but no really very , If you 've played with Marklin's most know most all of them have total different Chassis . No one had Bumble Bee anything other than 400.00--700.00 plus for whole set . I have much better one with 5 pole motor and several modifications' to Old # 136 hope to one day covert it to LED lighting and Engine Engineer figures . Yes made few mistakes along way but that is what makes it interesting challenge . I'm little slow on things now a days and on fixed income witch is probably best because we live in very small house that is over 80 years old and not much room so Z scale fits me Best. hope to be here long time . Ben
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Post by markm on Dec 15, 2017 14:03:26 GMT -5
Ben, Welcome to the forum. If you are looking for information about the ES44AC (the prototype for 62400-series models) start with: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Evolution_Series images can be found at: www.rrpicturearchives.net/default.aspx and technical data at: www.thedieselshop.us/There are a couple of notes covering shell removal, plow and DCC installation on the American Z Line page with a link at the top of this site. Hope this helps. It will be interesting to see what you do with the loco. It would also be useful if you add a few carriage returns in your post to make them easier to read. Mark |
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spoilybear
New Member
Hello all! New--Bee here to AZL , Getting ready for Christmass most loving time of year.
Posts: 42
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Post by spoilybear on Dec 15, 2017 14:07:56 GMT -5
Yes Mark that sound great . thanks for warm welcome . finally got my Avatar set . little slow on the old computer but I'm gaining every time .  |
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Post by neverland on Dec 16, 2017 8:50:00 GMT -5
Agree Marklin has backed away from producing modern American rolling stock. Their F7 is a champ however. I can pull a long consist up a slight grade with a single loco. Mine is in the Chessie colors.
My only experience with MTL locos is their version of an F7 and my opinion is meh...
Interested in hearing about your upcoming AZL experience.
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Post by dazed on Dec 16, 2017 13:19:54 GMT -5
Just for reference, the UP "Railbeast" loco is an SD60M, so the closest thing in Z would be AZL's SD70M. Not a huge deal just thought I'd clarify.
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spoilybear
New Member
Hello all! New--Bee here to AZL , Getting ready for Christmass most loving time of year.
Posts: 42
|
Post by spoilybear on Dec 16, 2017 15:35:34 GMT -5
Thanks Doug where did you come up with information on it . Just the deal I got was lot cheaper than most AZL Engines so couldn't pass it up . ES 44Ac is close so that will have to do for now  , maybe someplace down line I'll find shell that's closer to it and switch out . No Perfectionist Yet but Working on it . thanks again Ben |
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spoilybear
New Member
Hello all! New--Bee here to AZL , Getting ready for Christmass most loving time of year.
Posts: 42
|
Post by spoilybear on Dec 16, 2017 15:49:43 GMT -5
Neverland Engineer , I should have been more clear Marklin engines are good just see lot more broke down or not running don't know what is wrong with them than any other on market so that is how I came up with them as not , most of them I've modified them to American Style got rid of Bunds markings and even opened up Stacks on them for glow at night for flame. Most Are Steam some modified a lot . Everyone has preference . I've driven Toyota Pick up for 15 years next one will probably be Ford again after 30 years. Preference's come and go . I'll be going with AZL for while. Keep on Rattling Line Ben
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Post by dazed on Dec 18, 2017 9:05:34 GMT -5
Thanks Doug where did you come up with information on it . Just the deal I got was lot cheaper than most AZL Engines so couldn't pass it up . ES 44Ac is close so that will have to do for now , maybe someplace down line I'll find shell that's closer to it and switch out . No Perfectionist Yet but Working on it . thanks again Ben If you search for "UP Railbeast" on Google there is quite a lot of good results. I do understand the "close enough" approach...I follow it often. Only reason I mentioned it is the nose is pretty different between the locos. I'm sure the decals will work though. |
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spoilybear
New Member
Hello all! New--Bee here to AZL , Getting ready for Christmass most loving time of year.
Posts: 42
|
Post by spoilybear on Dec 24, 2017 16:45:28 GMT -5
After thinking it over for while , I'm going to look for SD 70 M shell for my Loco to be as close to the real thing even though it no longer exists since Pacific union Seemed to be insulted with what they call Graffiti Painters job. I've painted many Large items in past Bridges-Water Tanks -Hotels- Business- Homes - And Military Runways. I know industrial painting almost inside and out. that Paint job was very Professional and not cheap by any means . Just my Observance. |
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, maybe someplace down line I'll find shell that's closer to it and switch out . No Perfectionist Yet but Working on it . thanks again Ben 