|
|
Post by zscalehobo on Jan 17, 2018 14:36:27 GMT -5
If I may, what is there behind the decision to produce -in brass- such particular a locomotive? Perhaps a sentimental reason?  I am not an expert of US models, but it seems to me the Krauss-Maffei is very unlike previously released AZL brass locomotives (GS-4, Alco PA1, EMD E8, Big Boy, Challenger etc., all of which were very common/popular at their times) My guess is that this was a small production run and not a type of locomotive that can be applied to many roads. You only go to plastic when you have many different roads that can be produced. Considering that the ML-4000 was only built for 3 different railroads, I think that's the answer. You do a brass run for small production numbers and without the huge investment of a specific plastic-injection mold. |
|
|
|
Post by markm on Jan 17, 2018 21:52:47 GMT -5
If I may, what is there behind the decision to produce -in brass- such particular a locomotive? Perhaps a sentimental reason? I am not an expert of US models, but it seems to me the Krauss-Maffei is very unlike previously released AZL brass locomotives (GS-4, Alco PA1, EMD E8, Big Boy, Challenger etc., all of which were very common/popular at their times) I wouldn't call those brass locos common except for the E8, which AZL did in injection plastic recently. If you look at the product codes, you'll notice they are all very early AZL productions, a time when, if AZL will pardon the expression, AZL was more a "boutique" producer. Mark |
|
|
|
Post by gerd on Feb 5, 2018 17:04:11 GMT -5
A friend of mine in Germany just received his ML-4000, he says only the rear truck is powered, not the front. Is that a mistake or by design?
|
|
|
|
Post by zscalehobo on Feb 5, 2018 18:38:22 GMT -5
A friend of mine in Germany just received his ML-4000, he says only the rear truck is powered, not the front. Is that a mistake or by design? From Facebook:  |
|
|
|
Post by davestubbs on Feb 5, 2018 19:39:18 GMT -5
It is by design I've opened one up and only driveshaft support to the rear. plus side lots of room for speaker. Also just be aware VERY slow LOCO but it does pull a good load I was pulling 10 heavy weights no problem.
|
|
|
|
Post by ztrack on Feb 10, 2018 10:38:12 GMT -5
Well folks, two people have not responded to us concerning their reservations. If you were one of them, note, we have released your locos to customers on the waiting list. I am still waiting to hear back from one more reservation and will be releasing these locomotive very soon unless we get a response. An email and message through this forum has been sent. This run looks to be a complete sell out, even with the few extras we have released.
Rob
|
|
|
|
Post by ciccino on Mar 21, 2018 4:50:39 GMT -5
So, what are the first impressions by lucky owners of this brass locomotive? How does it compare to older AZL diesel brass engines? :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by smr on Mar 21, 2018 17:12:38 GMT -5
So, what are the first impressions by lucky owners of this brass locomotive? How does it compare to older AZL diesel brass engines? :-)  After a 45 min run in, the engine runs slowly and very smoothly. Pulls easily 20 freight cars or 10 heavyweights.  Here is my run-in train. You see how nicely the AZL colors match. |
|
|
|
Post by smr on Mar 21, 2018 17:16:08 GMT -5
 Here you see the match with the MTL colors, which appear to be a little more orangish.  I will later put some more pictures in our AZL brass thread. Feel free to do so also !!  Best, Sven |
|
|
|
Post by jhrailroading on Mar 21, 2018 19:47:14 GMT -5
Looks sharp! I'd love to see the headlight in action in a night-time scene. I'm looking forward to your upcoming pictures in the brass thread.
-Jason
|
|
|
|
Post by ciccino on Mar 22, 2018 3:13:19 GMT -5
Sven, congratulations for your most beautiful D&RGW train! The Krauss Maffei really shines 😊
|
|
|
|
Post by smr on Mar 22, 2018 10:54:34 GMT -5
Sven, congratulations for your most beautiful D&RGW train! The Krauss Maffei really shines 😊 Thank you! More pictures in our brass thread; www.azlforum.com/post/13652/threadBest, Sven |
|
|
|
Post by ztrack on May 17, 2018 6:44:10 GMT -5
And then there were three less....
So here is a sad story of loss. In January, we shipped 3x SP Krauss-Maffei's to a long time Z scale collector and enthusiast. This would start a five month adventure that would only end today. It first started with us shipping to the customers work address. The issue was the customer had left this company just a few weeks prior and did not inform us. Okay, not a problem. We can redirect shipments. Also the customer knew folks at the old company that would cover him just in case the order arrived.
Next issue... the package was delivered to the wrong address. The address was blocks away. The customer started an investigation with the USPS. We also talked to the local Post Master. This went on for weeks. The address was a large company with many employees. The signature was nothing more than an X. The Post Master suspected the carrier may have stolen the package. Long story short, there was not way to recover the package.
Time to go with insurance. The customer filed the insurance claim with USPS. But the customer also did a hold for the charge on his credit card. No harm no foul here. Typically we would file the claim, but since the customer was already engaged with the investigation, it made more sense.
So after a few rounds of declines for the insurance from the USPS and more proof of values and payments, the USPS would come through with a check to the customer.
Now time to get the chargeback reversed. Client calls the bank to release the funds. Funds are withdrawn from his account and should be in our account next day. Nope... So now we have bank versus bank. The fun part was that both banks were Chase!!! Each side of Chase refused to talk to the other and for a month, Chase held on to this money. After many more calls and documentation proving the funds were withdrawn from the client, we finally had the money returned to us, and we could close out this ordeal.
So sad part, 3x SP Krauss-Maffei's are gone. Collectors, this makes them even more rare. For those looking at eBay and other places, if you see SP Krauss-Maffei's for sale with a ship from address in California, it may be these.
Plus 1 to the USPS for coming through on the insurance claim. They admitted it was their loss. This is the reason why we send all packages with insurance. This is the 3rd time in a year we had to fall back to insurance to reclaim funds for lost packages.
Negative 3 to Chase Manhattan bank. For failing both the customer, the merchant and having no channels for one side of the bank to talk to the other. It was ridiculous. All the while, over $3,000 sat it their accounts.
Major kudos to the client. Without their patience and willing to work with us on suppling documentation and spending way too much time on this matter, they were integral in getting this issue resolved.
Rob
|
|
|
|
Post by ciccino on May 17, 2018 8:30:18 GMT -5
A sad story indeed. Given the price of these jewels, and the even higher collector’s value, why not factory number them? After all, fine mechanical watches, cheaper than most Z scale locos, are individually numbered. In this way it is easy to track them should they get either lost or stolen.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on May 17, 2018 9:30:12 GMT -5
Individually numbered. We may just do that on future brass runs.
|
|
I am not an expert of US models, but it seems to me the Krauss-Maffei is very unlike previously released AZL brass locomotives (GS-4, Alco PA1, EMD E8, Big Boy, Challenger etc., all of which were very common/popular at their times)
