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Post by Rob Albritton on Jan 5, 2015 5:14:15 GMT -5
A bit of a diversion from the thread, but what I'm interest in are undecorated heavyweights. WP had cars in Pullman Green and 2 tone grey, and SP even had a couple of 6-3s in Tuscan Red . Mark You mean like these? www.azldirect.com/passenger/71701-0-Set  |
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Post by markm on Jan 5, 2015 9:50:04 GMT -5
Robert,
Yeah, like those (although the paired window coach really wasn't all that Pullman). I've already picked-up a couple in the green and grey. In the case of the heavyweights, I just wanted to encourage you to continue to produce them.
Mark
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Post by BAZman on Jan 5, 2015 20:25:06 GMT -5
I have *a lot* of rolling stock. But, with this last year's release of locos and the upcoming ones, that ratio is starting to diminish ! Argh, have to build more modules for more scenes. Can only lash so many locos together but we did do that for fun at one show.
Jeff
SF Bay Area Z scale
a.k.a. "The BAZ BoyZ"
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jan 6, 2015 4:39:25 GMT -5
In the case of the heavyweights, I just wanted to encourage you to continue to produce them. Mark Consider that done! |
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Post by trainboy4 on Jan 7, 2015 10:04:50 GMT -5
I can't wait for 3 BN SD45s. I'm glad I sold my 2 MTL BN SD40-2.
I think I want 3 DRGW SD45s if they are made.
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Post by domi on Jan 19, 2015 15:52:06 GMT -5
Hopefuly we will also see some undecorated ones. Hi Frank, I do not think you will see any more undecorated locomotives from AZL. There are a bunch of problems with undecs: 1) They cost us the same to produce as decorated locomotives. I know everyone will say this doesn't make sense, but it is true: the cost of painting the locomotive on an assembly line is just a few cents. Once we deal with another product number and packaging, the cost of an undec is the same as fully painted. We cannot save you any money by supplying it undecorated. 2) Our factories really do not like to produce them because they cannot understand why anyone would want one unpainted when it cost the same as fully painted. It take me hours to explain that somebody wants to paint their own. 3) Most important, these are by far our worst sellers. We did listen when people said they wanted undecorated locos, but so far, it was all talk and no action. I've got tons of GP38-2 and SD70 undecorated sitting here. I would send them back to be painted, but once assembled, it is very difficult to properly pad print around the hand rails! There was ONE exception to this: RDC - it was an OK seller, but in fairness, it was partially painted silver with a black underframe, so all that was needed was decals for your favorite road name and you were all done. As always, our solution is to buy one decorated and simply repaint it. Good luck, -Rob(A) AZL Hi Rob, I definitly understand your concerns but this statement doesn't serve my purposes. I've 3 undec 38s in painting process or waiting for that, And I know that I've now to hurry up purchasing a few more... Dom |
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Post by gerd on Jan 20, 2015 20:39:35 GMT -5
If you have tons of GP38-2 and SD70 in stock sell them discounted and they will go, don't worry about margins, you make enough money anyway Hi Frank, I do not think you will see any more undecorated locomotives from AZL. There are a bunch of problems with undecs: 1) They cost us the same to produce as decorated locomotives. I know everyone will say this doesn't make sense, but it is true: the cost of painting the locomotive on an assembly line is just a few cents. Once we deal with another product number and packaging, the cost of an undec is the same as fully painted. We cannot save you any money by supplying it undecorated. 2) Our factories really do not like to produce them because they cannot understand why anyone would want one unpainted when it cost the same as fully painted. It take me hours to explain that somebody wants to paint their own. 3) Most important, these are by far our worst sellers. We did listen when people said they wanted undecorated locos, but so far, it was all talk and no action. I've got tons of GP38-2 and SD70 undecorated sitting here. I would send them back to be painted, but once assembled, it is very difficult to properly pad print around the hand rails! There was ONE exception to this: RDC - it was an OK seller, but in fairness, it was partially painted silver with a black underframe, so all that was needed was decals for your favorite road name and you were all done. As always, our solution is to buy one decorated and simply repaint it. Good luck, -Rob(A) AZL |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 8:06:03 GMT -5
How are the Sd45s coming along? Any problems with the testing?
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Mar 28, 2015 19:15:04 GMT -5
Quick status: We are awaiting the first painted samples with artwork. Hopefully there will not be many corrections. Boy does that (correction phase) slow product development! Once we are satisfied, all we have to wait for is a production slot time. That can take time. We have tested the SD45s and they conformed to our specs.
Not sure if they are done by NTS in Portland, but pre-production samples should be at our booth. Sincerely, Hans (AZL)
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on May 25, 2015 17:12:29 GMT -5
Any updates since the last. High hoods on the first run?
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Post by Rob Albritton on May 25, 2015 17:21:37 GMT -5
Any updates since the last. High hoods on the first run? Hi Joe, Not sure on the high hoods - Hans is project leader on the SD45, so he has more detailed information. Expecting a late summer delivery. Best, -Rob(A) AZL |
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on May 25, 2015 17:26:22 GMT -5
Thanks, I like these "transition" diesels. They fill that notch that is that is in between the GP7/9/30 world to the SD 70/dash 9 world. Lots of possibilities with road names.
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Post by madyank on May 29, 2015 22:52:21 GMT -5
Robert,
To paraphrase you,
I do not think you will see any more undecorated locomotives from AZL. There are a bunch of problems with undecs:
1) They cost us the same to produce as decorated locomotives.
2) Most important, these are by far our worst sellers.
I'm actually not surprised at the worst sellers problem; many (if not most) model railroaders today are products of the Baby Boomers or later generations (I'm a boomer myself) and our eyesight isn't what it used to be, even with the various surgeries and magnifiers available. Plus, a lot of the later generations don't WANT to work on painting a model as small as a Z loco - either because, like me, their painting skills are TERRIBLE, or they just plain want to plug and play their railroading. Of course, this IS a generalization, but I fer it holds true. The days of the old craftsmen are going; and, with the level of detail available from the factory, it's hard to blame anyone. When I can get a model as beautiful as whet you guys bring me, as inexpensively as you do (I will NOT call your stuff CHEAP, darn it!), I don't HAVE to paint it myself - as long as I can get the paint scheme I need for my model. (Illinois Central, hint, hint)
Jim (the Mad Yank)
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Post by domi on May 31, 2015 4:27:41 GMT -5
I won't argue against market, facts are facts, however I can't help beeing puzzled about undecs' low sale figures. Especially in the case of GP38s, which are so common locomotives everywhere in North America, wearing hundreds of different paintschemes... Does that mean when new runs of GP38s are available, undecs will be withdrawn?
Dom
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AZL SD45
Jun 3, 2015 16:33:14 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by christoff on Jun 3, 2015 16:33:14 GMT -5
Hey this is my first post here! Yay
Will the sd45 be offered in CN or CP paint
Thanks in advance for any answer your allowed to offer up
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