GE U50

That's UGLY

Um.. I’m gonna stick with team DDA40X

Don't get me wrong I'm still pulling for the DDA40X...I just like the uniqueness of the U50 as well...to some it may seem ugly but I think different is good...I'm not demanding they make these...it's just a personal wishlist...if the Cab Forward, Big Boy, and Challenger can be done with all those moving parts...then anything is possible...and for the record...I have a bunch of G,HO,N,and a lot of Z....I prefer Z and would love to someday have those two in my collection...

Yet we had the Krauss-Maffei loco come out, talk about rare!

Actually, that "tidy" price isn't as bad as it seems. Considering the Krauss were released 6 years ago, they were initially pre-orders and after including shipping, the cost each was about $1,000. Also since there are only 20 of each road number. i'm guessing that since the initial cost was so high compared to other AZL brass, the Krauss haven't appreciated much in value in only 6 years. guess we'll see in another 10-15 years if the price goes up.


IRL, DRGW eventually sold their Krauss to SP as they had trouble on the hilly terrain, so SP ended up owning ALL of the Krauss in America. Now, there's a rumor going around that a certain AZL VIP has a soft spot for SP. So..... maybe ...... that explains why ....... just kidding! 

Does this mean that the UE50 has a chance since it's SP? Who knows? Maybe, maybe not.

AZL has commented in the past as to why they would not be producing certain requested locomotives, mostly for tooling issues or being "too rare or too unique" to certain railroads. These include certain high hood units, Amtrak electrics, and the ubiqitous sharknose.

So while it's okay to ask NICELY for these and other rarities, I would suggest not holding your breath on them. And don't start demanding things. We all realize that AZL is primarily producing the vast majority of North American Z scale products by themselves, but they still can't do EVERYTHING. At least not all at the same time. Take what they give us, ask nicely for more, and let's all be surprised at their next hit releases.

Still, it's good to have hope. In the announced 2nd run of RS3,5 there are a lot more eastern and smaller road names. AZL is paying attention to modelers but the first run obviouslly had to hit the big road names first to establish the product. Also, remember that AZL had plans to make a N&W J Class in brass (which I would like to see as we need more steam) and last time I looked that's definitely not a West Coast only thing.