|
|
Post by zscalehobo on Oct 31, 2016 14:56:57 GMT -5
As Rob A said on another thread: "Regarding body mount trucks: Take a look at the P42. This may be the way of the future for AZL. Your feedback is welcome as always."I received my dealer shipment on Saturday for pre-orders. Since z.scale.hobo tests all locomotives before sending them to customers, I got an extended look at a 63502 Phase V P42. Here is the locomotive overall side shot:  Here are some shots of the P42 coupler with the locomotive on its belly:   Shots of the couplers while on track:   Compared to one of the Superliner coaches: Seems there is no auto-latching. I had to couple manually. This shot is just prior to coupling:  This shot is with the P42 (left) successfully coupled to the Superliner coach (right)  I was not able to do extensive testing in loops due to time constraints, but it seems that the locomotive's coupler is not spring loaded and it did not move very liberally. If you rotate it by hand while off track, it stays put. May not be a problem for running, but this is merely my observation. |
|
|
|
Post by BAZman on Oct 31, 2016 15:40:04 GMT -5
Couple of top-down shots and what radii is that märklin track?
|
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Oct 31, 2016 17:36:08 GMT -5
Are they body mounted on both sides.
|
|
|
|
Post by nscaler711 on Nov 30, 2016 0:47:00 GMT -5
So far the only thing preventing me from owning the Phase Vb P42 is the trucks, fuel tank, and pilots appear to be black and not gray... As for the supers if they are body mounted as well, maybe consider adding a shim to lower the coupler to the P42 equipment... After all it is Amtrak so anything else will look funky.  |
|
|
|
Post by billmock on Nov 30, 2016 13:05:00 GMT -5
Are they body mounted on both sides. Hi John, The couplers are body mounted on both ends of the P42. And these P42's will round a 145mm radius without any problem. (Whoo whoo! They make it around the inner loop of my Truckee Layout!) The Superliners have truck mounted couplers and bind when rounding the 145mm curves. I'll check into modifications to the Superliners trucks for 145mm curves and see if the couplers stay connected as well. But as of now, I'm super impressed with these P42 locomotives and Superliners. The P42's run strong and smoothly. And the interiors of the Superliners are very well crafted. So well, that now I'll need to go in there to paint the seats and carpet! Oh, and add passengers too. Bill Mock |
|
|
|
Post by billmock on Nov 30, 2016 13:19:42 GMT -5
Oh! And I'll check as to how well these P42 locomotives run with the older Amtrak California cars.  |
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Nov 30, 2016 13:25:24 GMT -5
Painting the lounge car works very will.
|
|
|
|
Post by billmock on Dec 6, 2016 22:18:47 GMT -5
So with a little sanding to knock off the corner of the coupler boxes, the trucks gain a few more degrees of rotation. And that's all it takes to get through my 145mm curves. So now the Amtrak California Zephyr can run through Truckee. Bill Mock   |
|
|
|
Post by toronado3800 on Dec 8, 2016 16:52:10 GMT -5
Hello, have you seen enough different couplers to know if the magnetic ones are transferable w/o major surgery?
|
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Dec 8, 2016 17:11:30 GMT -5
Hello, have you seen enough different couplers to know if the magnetic ones are transferable w/o major surgery? Passenger trains is the last place I want to switch coupler. It's not like it's going to be more fun switching Superliners. |
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Dec 8, 2016 17:11:44 GMT -5
Hello, have you seen enough different couplers to know if the magnetic ones are transferable w/o major surgery? Passenger trains is the last place I want to switch coupler. It's not like it's going to be more fun switching Superliners. It's |
|
|
|
Post by billmock on Aug 2, 2017 12:16:03 GMT -5
It's now summer here in the Sierra Nevada's and the popular Amtrak California Zephyr is making its run over the famed Donner Pass. I added a Marklin Baggage Car to create a bit more realistic look to this train.   |
|
|
|
Post by DAZed on Aug 2, 2017 12:28:41 GMT -5
Bill, cool pics!
How did you convert the couplers on the baggage car?
|
|
|
|
Post by billmock on Aug 2, 2017 13:05:34 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Aug 2, 2017 13:50:40 GMT -5
Cuz, I used the MTL baggage car instead, since I already own the Amtrak set.
|
|
