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Post by dazed on Apr 10, 2024 22:04:38 GMT -5
Another question, are we going to be able to tell the difference between an SD50 and the base model SD60 in z scale? The question is, can you tell the difference on the prototype? I don't have a clue what AZL's plans are. I don't think they've released artwork for these yet. Since they're not bothering to do the two-window SD60M's, I would imagine that they are also not doing separate tooling for the SD50s. But I wouldn't be terribly surprised if they did either.
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Post by dazed on Apr 10, 2024 9:34:10 GMT -5
If I could time travel I would play the lotto and stock market more. Then I would finance AZLs development of Baldwin S-12s and more steam. Well, yes...I was assuming our time travel powers were limited to model railroading activities.
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Post by dazed on Apr 8, 2024 21:34:11 GMT -5
I need to go back in time... No kidding. I would need to go back to 2019, AND predict the future about the C44-9W's. Then I would still have all the locos and rolling stock I sold off when my dad passed away, and I probably wouldn't have gotten back into N.
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Post by dazed on Apr 8, 2024 15:37:59 GMT -5
While there are negatives to doing this, the positives for me far outweigh the negatives. Easy access to my collection is the primary benefit, versus having to "shell pistachios" to get to my stuff every time. Note, currently don't have my tank cars or Intermodal in them. Tanks might get there eventually, but I'll probably keep the intermodal in their shells. They are so intricate that it is probably worthwhile to leave them there.
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Post by dazed on Apr 8, 2024 15:37:26 GMT -5
Weekend, part two. Fished some TrainboxesPlus boxes out of the attic and cleaned them off, with the idea to put my N-Scale stuff in them. (which I did) Well, had two extra so I decided to see if it would work for my Z. Turns out, worked pretty well.
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Post by dazed on Apr 7, 2024 11:43:29 GMT -5
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Post by dazed on Apr 7, 2024 11:27:14 GMT -5
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Post by dazed on Apr 5, 2024 23:13:34 GMT -5
And finally, my two SD40-2's that will be getting decoders installed very soon. (Tomorrow night will be "DCC Night".) And yes I know I have a little boo-boo there with the handrails. Already fixed.
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Post by dazed on Apr 5, 2024 23:10:41 GMT -5
A trio of ATSF units, one fresh off the boat. The other two are awaiting a nose job soon, hopefully. A pathetic unit coal train, but if you squint and use your imagination it looks pretty neat. If AZL would do more $#&@ing bethgons, I could have a more respectable train.
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Post by dazed on Apr 5, 2024 23:05:12 GMT -5
Did some running tonight. Mostly just testing and burn-in for recent purchases over the past 6-12 months. First up is a quartet of Geeps that is just hard not to like. Then a pair of KCS units, frequent visitors on BNSF trains.
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Post by dazed on Apr 4, 2024 10:44:45 GMT -5
Doug I display and run my z collection. N scale and O are in different display cases. Nice display! Yeah, I display my Z and N stuff too, but I don't buy anything in either scale ONLY for display, which is what I was referencing.
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Post by dazed on Apr 4, 2024 9:49:51 GMT -5
One thing about O-scale items, (G and HO also fall into this category somewhat) they get a lot of sales just for the display aspect of it. So it's not just model railroaders, could be retired railroad men/women just wanting to decorate their home office. And I bet, for example, UP probably buys hundreds as gifts/keepsakes for employees.
Sure you can do that with Z and N but the small size--while great for squeezing in more model railroad--isn't desirable for something to put on display. (generally speaking, yes there are exceptions)
That's why I don't get too bent out of shape if a model isn't something that directly fits my narrative. The Spirit of UP loco is a great example. Love it, and could have bought one in Z. But it's out of era and I can get a more-commonly-available version in a larger scale later. If it's just for display, I'd much rather have an HO or O version to put on the wall. (for the record, I'm not currently doing that because I don't have the room to spare for significant wall decor, but hope to soon.)
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Post by dazed on Apr 3, 2024 18:56:24 GMT -5
MoPac 1982 - September 2013 MKT 1988 - November 2013 Rio Grande 1989 - November 2013 SP 1996 - September 2013 WP 1983 - October 2013 CNW 1995 - April 2012 I'd say 80% certainty those are correct +/- a month. Like I said, somebody probably has the specific dates out there but this is just based off hunting photos online for a few minutes per loco.
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Post by dazed on Apr 3, 2024 16:27:14 GMT -5
I'm looking...here are my best estimates from photos. I'm sure the exact dates exist somewhere but I couldn't find them easily. -MoPac - September 2013 -MKT - November 2013 -Rio Grande - November 2013 -SP - September 2013 -WP - October 2013 -CNW - April 2012
I'd say 80% certainty those are correct +/- a month. Like I said, somebody probably has the specific dates out there but this is just based off hunting photos online for a few minutes per loco.
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Post by dazed on Apr 3, 2024 10:39:03 GMT -5
I simply don't have enough information to answer the question right now.
I have purchased the SW1500 decoder, but never installed it because I was anxious about damaging the loco due to the breaking shell issue...and now I've sold off all the SW1500's I had. (still have the decoder, I'll eventually buy another SW1500 likely)
I have purchased two of the SD40-2 decoders, but just got them in a few days ago and haven't had a chance to install them yet.
I love Alex's transparency with all of the vast amount of information about his products that he has posted here. It's quite amazing. I have great faith in the products based on that. But I just need to get some mileage logged before I would go "whole hog" with Zmodell.
So when you ask do I want a Zmodell board for the SD70s/ES44s, I'd say my answer *right now* would be No. I would rather see him focus on the tiny decoder, and possibly an add-on keep alive board for it or a variation of it. (or a "less-tiny decoder" that has the keep alive built in...essentially a non-SD40-2 specific version of the SD40-2 decoder) THEN, we could use it for just about any loco other than the SW1500.
I would like to have the keep alive function for Geeps....GP7's and GP30's/GP38-2's since their shorter wheelbase and 1/3 fewer wheels are much more of a candidate for the help offered by the caps. (don't get me wrong, I see value for the six-axles too...especially if a helix is involved...every ounce of help you can garner is beneficial)
Having said all of that... With the new run ES44's, brand new C44-9W's, and brand new AC4400's all using the same mech (presumedly) it would not be a bad commercial decision to create one.
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