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Post by ztrack on Sept 18, 2023 19:06:22 GMT -5
AMERICAN Z LINE September 2023 New Releases Part 2 EMD E8s – FRISCO! As shown at the National Train Show, AZL is offering Frisco E8s in two road numbers. Note the locomotive names under the cab windows!  62621-1 FRISCO EMD E8A 2006 Traveller  62621-2 FRISCO EMD E8A 2007 Whirlaway Trinity RAF 53’ Spine Cars with 53’ Trailers – Express Multimodal  905202-1 TTAX Trinity RAF 53C Spine Cars - 5 unit set 555033 53' Trailers -Express Multimodal The cars are metal with both etched metal and plastic add-on details. The cars are articulated and ride on modified AZL 90001 roller-bearing trucks. They are lettered for TTAX (old logo). The trailers feature wheels that turn, the ability to reposition the wheels. The cars come with a number of add-on and optional parts. These are: -5x Trailer hitches (up position) -5x Trailer hitches (down position) -5x set of 4 container hole adaptors - for when the container is on the car -5x set of 4 container posts - for when the container is not on the car -5x Trailer legs retracted (for when the trailer is on the tractor) can be swapped with legs installed on the trailer. Note some assembly required, specially adding the hitches. It is recommended the trailers are secured to the cars for optimal performance. For more information on these cars please see the following video: 53’ Trailers – Express Multimodal  954002-1 Express Multimodal 2 x 53' Trailer Two pack of 53’ trailers. The 53' trailers are all new tooling from AZL. The trailers feature wheels that turn, the ability to reposition the wheels. Set comes with 2x Trailer legs retracted (for when the trailer is on the tractor) can be swapped with legs installed on the trailer. HEAVYWEIGHT COMBINE COACHES – PENNSYLVANIA  74003-1 Pennsylvania Heavyweight Combine 5159 3 axle 74003-2 Pennsylvania Heavyweight Combine 5153 3 axle 74003-3 Pennsylvania Heavyweight Combine 5154 3 axle The cars feature one round window on the baggage door. NEW STARTER SET – FRISCO!  It is the month of Frisco! We are excited to offer a new FRISCO starter set. The set contains: - FRISCO EMD GP38 – 62523 - PS2-cd hopper – 91937 - 40’ Outside braced boxcar – 903101 - 17,600 Corn Syrup tank car – 913804 - Rokuhan RC02 controller - Rokuhan R028 track oval - Rokuhan A002 railing ramp Orders now can be placed on AZL Direct: azldirect.comRob Kluz Ztrack Distribution |
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Post by mrbarlow on Sept 18, 2023 20:09:41 GMT -5
My compliments AZL, those FRISCO E8's are OUTSTANDING!
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Post by robertlcollins on Sept 19, 2023 6:49:28 GMT -5
Love those Frisco E8 locomotives! I hope they're still available when I have the money to buy them. 🤞
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Post by DAZed on Sept 19, 2023 7:15:27 GMT -5
62621-2 FRISCO EMD E8A 2007 Whirlaway "Whirlaway" might be the best locomotive name ever. And these are beautiful locos...nice job bringing them to market. |
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Sept 19, 2023 8:55:38 GMT -5
FRISCO was delayed forever. I just could not find good photos or accurate color matches. Finally found some decent photos in a book.
Also, the side skirts were short lived
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Sept 19, 2023 8:57:32 GMT -5
And for all of you that likes SLSF Frisco, the railroad will be part of the second SD40-2 run. Mid 2024
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Post by barnegat on Sept 19, 2023 14:29:19 GMT -5
I guess this question is for anyone that has an opinion: Why does AZL make products with such great attention to detail, but include Rokuhan track in their starter sets? No offense to Rokuhan, but their track does not even look remotely close to American prototype. I would go a step further and say that the majority of Rokuhan's products are "toy like," and not "model like." Having completely unrealistic track seems like a major compromise for people (AZL, and their customers) that are obsessed with "correct" road numbers that you need a magnifying glass to even see?
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Post by Rob Albritton on Sept 19, 2023 14:59:50 GMT -5
I guess this question is for anyone that has an opinion: Why does AZL make products with such great attention to detail, but include Rokuhan track in their starter sets? No offense to Rokuhan, but their track does not even look remotely close to American prototype. I would go a step further and say that the majority of Rokuhan's products are "toy like," and not "model like." Having completely unrealistic track seems like a major compromise for people (AZL, and their customers) that are obsessed with "correct" road numbers that you need a magnifying glass to even see? So this is about who does what. Hans and I are the partners behind AZL (and it is a great partnership!) Rob Kluz owns the Ztrack empire. We (AZL) contract with ZTrack distribution to distribute our products. ZTrack also distributes Rokuhan products in the USA. The starter sets are a bundle from ZTrack Does that make sense? 😀 |
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Post by Scott on Sept 19, 2023 15:06:30 GMT -5
Emphatically, I agree with Barnegat. Visually, Rokuhan and AZL don’t mix. I don’t even like them in the same sentence. Check out this guy’s “devoid of Rokuhan” reference in the Track Questions post in the Z Scale board: “I’m partial to Atlas flex track and MTL sectional for prototypical tie spacing. … Would a T-Trak module be disqualified for use of Atlas flex track (i.e., devoid of Rokuhan)? …” " Link: azlforum.com/thread/2494/trackOh, … That guy was me. |
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Post by ztrack on Sept 19, 2023 15:25:39 GMT -5
Hey guys. Rob is right. We create starter set bundles here in the Ztrack offices. There is a real need for Z starter sets and these packages are filling huge voids in our hobby. Why Rokuhan? Well it is simply the most extensive and reliable track system on the market. It is ideal to get people into Z for its ease of use, reliability and expandability. In just a few minutes, you can be running track. Additionally, we can package the track at a low cost. The whole goal here is to get these sets out there at a really good price point.
So at the end of the day, you are getting best trains (AZL) with the best track line (Rokuhan) when you consider the line as a whole.
I can't argue about the tie spacing. But I will say this, weathering and ballast can go a long way to improve the look.
By the way, the starter set packages we put together have been very popular and as time allows, I will be putting out more versions. Oh and here is a fun fact, want your own starter package using a road name we don't offer? Then email me. I will see if we can work up one for you. Heck we may even offer it as one of our standard package deals!
Scott sorry I didn't see that post. I will respond over there.
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Post by DAZed on Sept 19, 2023 16:00:20 GMT -5
My two cents on the Rokuhan discussion...
As the trains get smaller, there is less room for error if you want trains that run well. Rokuhan just performs extremely well, so for something like a starter set, it is what about 95% of those people want....trains that run are much more fun than static models.
Aside from Rokuhan, there just aren't many options. The most North American looking roadbed track is MTL, and there's a whole book one could write about why that's not a good plan. Notwithstanding AZL and MTL get along about like cats and dogs, MTL turnouts are a mess, and there just isn't a lot of variety of track pieces. And the sectional/"trainset" friendly track options go downhill from there.
Should Atlas choose to do some sectional pieces (eg not roadbed track, just sectional track pieces and their #6 turnouts) that would be ideal. But we're not there yet.
So I guess I would inquire....what is the ask? For AZL to build a new track system? I can't speak for them on that, but I'm doubtful that's even remotely on their radar, and honestly I hope it's not. I would rather them spend their energy on what they do extremely well.
Having said all that, I'm in agreement that the stock Rokuhan track isn't very visually appealing for modeling the North American scene. But there are far worse problems we could have in Z*, and at least it runs REALLY nicely. Weather it a bit and start buying up Atlas track for that new killer layout.
*Why can't we get Midwest to give us some cork roadbed in Z? I know there are plenty of workarounds, but it sure would be nice to just split the halves and start placing roadbed along a centerline. That beautiful Atlas track needs a nice cushion-ey place to rest.
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Post by fulingyu on Sept 19, 2023 20:12:52 GMT -5
These Frisco E8's are totally eye catching. Now if we only had some matching passenger cars for them to pull (hint, hint). Meteor or Texas Special anyone?
Maybe a special limited edition like with the Pere Marquette you released earlier?
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Post by Curn on Sept 20, 2023 17:10:09 GMT -5
If ZTrack can make starter sets.....
Can Z track split up 4 packs and make variety packs? Like the MTL regional grab bag sets.
I like the price per car of a 4 pack, but I don't always want 4 of the same road. Might be a good way to move overstocked sets.
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mitch
New Member
Posts: 27
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Post by mitch on Sept 20, 2023 17:24:35 GMT -5
The Frisco E8s are gorgeous. I model and collect pre-Conrail Pennsylvania and NJ roads. I own several equally beautiful Lehigh Valley and Erie Lackawanna PAs. I would be an immediate customer for EL Phoebe Snow passenger cars as well as LV Black Diamond or John Wilkes cars.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Sept 20, 2023 17:39:26 GMT -5
These Frisco E8's are totally eye catching. Now if we only had some matching passenger cars for them to pull (hint, hint). Meteor or Texas Special anyone? Maybe a special limited edition like with the Pere Marquette you released earlier? I looked at it, but unfortunately the Frisco and MKT all used partially fluted sides on their cars - most of ours are smooth sided. |
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