SW1500

Yeah, anymore updates?

Thanks Hans, can't wait to see these beauties!!

Well, we got our first plastic sample. Now the real work begins!

We will put in what we can. Not a whole lot of room to work with. We will talk to our DCC decoder vendors for sure.

Personally, I think DCC in a switcher is more important than in other locomotives. However, most importantly, the switcher needs to run really well at low speed right out of the box.

That said, I'd be quite happy if you reserve space for a Z2/DZ123/DZ126T type decoder with relatively easy connection like the F59 and early GP7.

Mark

The sample looks great!  Its nice to see body mounted couplers with enclosed pilot plates on these as well as the RS.  That's a great enhancement to have on a RTR Z scale locomotive.

Drop-in or wired decoders have about the same difficulty to install in the AZL products as the ‘drop-in’ decoders are *nowhere* near ‘drop-in’. Both TCS & Digitrax decoder PC board are too thin (they use *standard, world wide, thickness) that requires them to add solder to ‘attempt’ to make a good contact with the larger post gap. *Never* works and solder volume has to be trial/error filed, scraped or solder-wick reduced.
Then, there is the issue of getting the decoder motor contact tabs to make contact (a task you cannot physically see) or, short against the frame. Various AZL manufactures have made a attempts to put insulation tape at the location but the tape either moves out of place (a gummy adhesive) or the frame is too thick there and also the decoder tabs are not all installed on the board with good alignment).

The later SD45, 70ACe and F3’s have too much metal above the motor to let both decoder manufacturer’s boards to freely fit, bowing them upward.

PLEASE: review this issue and supply decoder boards to them to assure ‘drop in.

It really could be simpler.

Comments from well experienced electrical and mechanical Engineer.