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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Nov 17, 2020 5:15:46 GMT -5
Yes they were painted Silver. You are looking at the first plastic samples that were moulded black. We will show preproduction samples when they are ready. With Silver trucks.
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Post by matthaun on Nov 17, 2020 11:07:28 GMT -5
Hans, any chances we will see any of the AZL structures again? I was very lucky to find both the Santa Fe depot and freight house as well as the SP signal tower. Both structures are amazing and some of my favorite AZL products!!
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Post by cwrr on Nov 17, 2020 16:03:57 GMT -5
Good question, I'd like to see some as well!
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Post by Commodore on Nov 17, 2020 21:12:04 GMT -5
Hans, any chances we will see any of the AZL structures again? I was very lucky to find both the Santa Fe depot and freight house as well as the SP signal tower. Both structures are amazing and some of my favorite AZL products!! Hans- Take ALL my money, Please... |
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Post by peter on Nov 18, 2020 8:23:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the update on the new products! Can't wait to order the ARR F7A/B's next spring!
Will there be multiple road numbers like the GP 38-2?
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Nov 18, 2020 8:30:32 GMT -5
We are undecided on structures. It is also a time issue for us. And we will not do more painted resin structures for sure.
At the moment I think it is good to support what is already out there. Anything from resin, plastic kits, brass kits, laser structures, cardboard, architectural cardboard and 3D printed.
Maybe we will take a close look at modular buildings and develop something. Or hope that maybe DPM gets into Z.
Do agree that there is an overall lack of buildings in Z scale, but the selection is growing.
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Post by matthaun on Nov 18, 2020 11:52:39 GMT -5
Thanks Hans. Sad to hear you guys won't do painted structures again, those AZL structures are amazing! I will just appreciate them on the shelf...lol. But I do understand its a business decision on your end.
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Post by markm on Nov 19, 2020 12:01:33 GMT -5
While I would be interested in any structures produced by AZL, I'm reluctant to encourage it. To me the problem is the variety of structures desired (needed) versus the manufacturing volume is difficult. There is of course the design effort, which detracts from rolling stock projects. Also the cost of tooling and manufacturing capacity. Finally, I have difficulty believing there is a large enough market. As I recall, it took a decade for AZLs original structure to sellout. Yes, some of the German Z producers have done injection molded kits, but in limited scope, so RobA has the same houses on his Swiss layout, that Alberich has on his New England layout, that I have on my California layout. What is really needed are semi-custom solutions, laser cut or 3D printed solutions. The best example I can think of is Charlie's Z&US models: zandusmodels.wordpress.com/He has some shortcomings, but it's a good start. As far a color (paint), there are technologies that will do multi-color models. xyzofficialweb.blob.core.windows.net/xyz-v3/images/stories_page/0010/Img_5.jpg(printed examples on the upper left). Personally, I think these are the sort of solutions we should be considering for structures. |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Nov 19, 2020 12:52:46 GMT -5
Hi Mark,
Structures take just as long for us to produce as trains, so that's why they are pretty low on the priority list. I've been working with laser cut structures for a while now, and I really find them to be excellent in quality - to the degree that I prefer them over plastic. They do take more skill and time to assemble, but I think it is worth it. Archistories and Faller are the best at this. Ive done a few MBZ - they are more challenging (need to paint the pieces first) but very well done too.
I've also done a few structures in SLA 3d resin. This is a great solution for a highly complex surface (think anything with a compound curve) BUT color is an issue since they are monolithic when complete. Similar to resin structures, you need to hand paint it when done. I've tried separate pieces, paint, and assemble, but honestly that took longer with an inferior result to just printing the structure as one piece and painting by hand.
I'm expanding the Gotthard layout and I've actually reproduced a few key structures based on photos, drawings, and Google street view. Two laser cut, and three SLA. I probably have one or two more that I need to do, but again - these things take tons of time. One design took over a month.
So yes - probably no more structures from us *BUT* this is a great space for cottage industry. You can get a decent K40 laser for about $400. That's not a bad deal when you consider that a laser kit will cost $25. If you need 20 structures, it will pay for itself. You may think 20 structures is a lot, but they go really fast.
-R
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2020 14:38:34 GMT -5
"Yes, some of the German Z producers have done injection molded kits, but in limited scope, so RobA has the same houses on his Swiss layout, that Alberich has on his New England layout, that I have on my California layout." But don't forget that Alberich " americanized" some models by milling "boardings" imitations.
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Post by Commodore on Nov 21, 2020 19:11:55 GMT -5
I'm expanding the Gotthard layout and I've actually reproduced a few key structures based on photos, drawings, and Google street view. Two laser cut, and three SLA. I probably have one or two more that I need to do, but again - these things take tons of time. One design took over a month. So yes - probably no more structures from us *BUT* this is a great space for cottage industry. You can get a decent K40 laser for about $400. That's not a bad deal when you consider that a laser kit will cost $25. If you need 20 structures, it will pay for itself. You may think 20 structures is a lot, but they go really fast. -R Expanding the Gotthard. WTF!!! That thing is HUGE... |
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