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Post by tjdreams on Dec 26, 2020 18:12:02 GMT -5
My Christmas weekend project was a easy choice as it was the only present that Santa (aka "The Postman" delivered in time for Christmas. And what better way to spend a Holiday weekend when your stuck Home Alone than to spend it working on a new Z scale project. So I started building The Z-Makers GE 44 Tonner. Like Rudy's other kits he has detailed instructions with pictures on his website that make assembly a breeze. But they are for a DC setup and I want DCC. So after taking some measurements I Realized that adding a decoder would be no problem. The TCS Z2 is such a prefect fit that If I didn't know better I would say it was special made to fit in the cab side on this model. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here are a couple pictures As you can see I still need to add the truck side-frames Handrails paint and decals. I wanted to make sure it runs and operates smoothly before spending the time to add all those details. So far, so good its been on my test/break-in track running like a champ for the last half hour. The blue stuff you see under the LED;s and on the decoder is called "Fun-Tak" its made by locktite its like a sticky playdough A small dab of it was used to stick the decoder to the side of the chassis while I soldered the wires. I also used it to hold the LED's in place while I glued the wires to the top of the chassis. This was the first time I used "Fun-Tak" so I don't know how it will hold up over time but for short temporary use it was prefect and it will have a permeant spot in my train tools toolbox from now on.
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Post by neverland on Dec 26, 2020 19:45:51 GMT -5
My Christmas weekend project was a easy choice as it was the only present that Santa (aka "The Postman" delivered in time for Christmas. And what better way to spend a Holiday weekend when your stuck Home Alone than to spend it working on a new Z scale project. So I started building The Z-Makers GE 44 Tonner. Like Rudy's other kits he has detailed instructions with pictures on his website that make assembly a breeze. But they are for a DC setup and I want DCC. So after taking some measurements I Realized that adding a decoder would be no problem. The TCS Z2 is such a prefect fit that If I didn't know better I would say it was special made to fit in the cab side on this model. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here are a couple pictures View Attachment View Attachment As you can see I still need to add the truck side-frames Handrails paint and decals. I wanted to make sure it runs and operates smoothly before spending the time to add all those details. So far, so good its been on my test/break-in track running like a champ for the last half hour. The blue stuff you see under the LED;s and on the decoder is called "Fun-Tak" its made by locktite its like a sticky playdough A small dab of it was used to stick the decoder to the side of the chassis while I soldered the wires. I also used it to hold the LED's in place while I glued the wires to the top of the chassis. This was the first time I used "Fun-Tak" so I don't know how it will hold up over time but for short temporary use it was prefect and it will have a permeant spot in my train tools toolbox from now on. Fun Tak has been used by miniaturists for many years & it remains pliable & tacky. Miniaturists in earthquake country tack down their collections with this stuff because one trembler can reduce several thousand dollars worth of miniatures to rubble in seconds.
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Post by BAZman on Dec 27, 2020 2:21:27 GMT -5
It appears that TCS has gone to larger (thicker) decoder wire. They typically have been noticeably smaller (thinner). Have acquired some #38 (o.1mm) from an German ebay seller. But I also use Litz wire and enameled when there just is no space to tuck or route.
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Post by ztrack on Dec 27, 2020 13:53:52 GMT -5
I was able to get some trains restored and running this weekend. My stable of 4 NS SD70Ms needed some work including a truck replacement on one, and new PCBs on 2 others. I had four running great by time I was done. I also had to restore my P&LE and Monongahela GP38s. The chassis had degraded on both so I replaced them with the 2020 replacement chassis.
Today, I was running my mixed P&LE freight on the inside of my T-Trak-Z modules. On the outside, I ran a NS bethgon coal train. I could only run about 1/2 the cars as I usually run. Looks like I am go to have to expand my T-Trak-Z modules for longer train operations.
And now I am back to packing and shipping orders...
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Post by Rob Albritton on Dec 27, 2020 15:21:57 GMT -5
wha, Wha, WAH, WHAT?!?!
I'm sorry, I'm a bit confused. Were you not informed when you took over Ztrack magazine that this is now a JOB?
I mean, I would have thought that you would have realized when you took on AZL that there would be no further pleasure from this activity. It states very clearly in the Master AZL distribution contract under Section 7, Article 52, Division 3, Subsection 12, paragraph 4: "Not withstanding the aforementioned side letters, amendments, corrections, and duplications, that the aforementioned party of the first part shall not engage in any wreck less, juvenile, extracurriculatory , pleasurable, or meaningless activity, as defined by the Geneva Convention of 1832 for "sinnloser Spaß und Spiel" without the express written consent of the Party of the second part in triplicate and requested no less than 7 and a half working days in advance of the "fun" activity, with allowances given for Norwegian National holidays and adjustments for daylight saving time."
Did Hans authorize any of this "fun" business???
This is now supposed to be the simple drudgery of packing boxes! I cannot believe you would have "fun" at this without going through the proper paperwork and procedure! The penalties for non-compliance are expensive, severe, and horribly embarrassing: You must now, in public, buy me ONE large Latte - and watch me drink it with total satisfaction.
Hans gets the same... but make his a Cappuccino.
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Post by tjdreams on Dec 27, 2020 15:54:03 GMT -5
Hay wait a minute now! What about all the customers waiting for their orders, They should get something out of this too, I think he should add some Free AZL swag to every order. Better yet Just send me the Swag and I will swear that you were just making sure all the loco's were in good working order before shipping them out. Plus You can Blame the Post office for all the shipping delays.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Dec 27, 2020 16:30:09 GMT -5
Coffee Uber alles
.....Or at least before shipping!
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Post by ztrack on Dec 27, 2020 17:10:47 GMT -5
Hey I was on my 15 minute coffee break! Nespresso anyone?
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Post by rvn2001 on Jan 11, 2021 22:38:31 GMT -5
I built one of Z Maker's Saddletank locos.
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Post by Commodore on Jan 16, 2021 16:39:41 GMT -5
I just ordered one of Those. Did yours look good as plain brass?
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2021 17:21:05 GMT -5
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Post by rvn2001 on Jan 16, 2021 19:46:44 GMT -5
Yes, it looked good in plain brass.
The Z Maker on Shapeways is where I got mine.
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Post by Commodore on Jan 16, 2021 19:56:03 GMT -5
Got mine there, too! Somebody needs to stop me... First it was one of Rudy’s brass shells. ....Now I want to build a Maersk SDP60F. Let me explain: Last year I had some F40PH shells made. Rob wouldn’t sell me the chassis until all the GP-38 claims were done. NOW, Anthony has a ton of Maersk containers. I can fill-up my Maersk cars. However, I’ve got nothing to pull them with. If AZL makes a Maersk loco ...it will be the SD-40. The F40PH cab is perfect. The SD70ACe is really close dimensionally. If I cut up an SD70ACe I know I’ll do a crap job. I’m not a great painter, either. Somebody! ...please talk me down!!!
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Post by neverland on Jan 17, 2021 10:44:04 GMT -5
View AttachmentGot mine there, too! Somebody needs to stop me... First it was one of Rudy’s brass shells. ....Now I want to build a Maersk SDP60F. Let me explain: Last year I had some F40PH shells made. Rob wouldn’t sell me the chassis until all the GP-38 claims were done. NOW, Anthony has a ton of Maersk containers. I can fill-up my Maersk cars. However, I’ve got nothing to pull them with. If AZL makes a Maersk loco ...it will be the SD-40. The F40PH cab is perfect. The SD70ACe is really close dimensionally. If I cut up an SD70ACe I know I’ll do a crap job. I’m not a great painter, either. Somebody! ...please talk me down!!! Oh my! Lololol
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Post by dazed on Jan 17, 2021 13:53:03 GMT -5
View AttachmentGot mine there, too! Somebody needs to stop me... NOW, Anthony has a ton of Maersk containers. I can fill-up my Maersk cars. However, I’ve got nothing to pull them with. If AZL makes a Maersk loco ...it will be the SD-40. What Maersk containers are available?
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