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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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Post by dazed on Apr 3, 2024 7:14:54 GMT -5
Given those delivery dates, I don't see how it could be otherwise – but there are pictures of purported SD50s with screaming eagles online. Links? Likely photoshopped or HO models.
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Post by dazed on Apr 2, 2024 16:35:29 GMT -5
My general take is the plows are for photography. I pick, say, 1/3 of the units that will lead most of the time and they get the plow. That's just my very general rule though. I hardly run enough now for it to matter. I sincerely hope it becomes a problem eventually.
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Post by dazed on Apr 1, 2024 10:08:03 GMT -5
RIP Hans...
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Post by dazed on Mar 31, 2024 12:45:49 GMT -5
You're not wrong. Atlas has "it".
They make VERY solid products. Never the top echelon of detail, but always a nice amount of detail that holds up well to normal handling, good running qualities, and a large variety of rolling stock and locomotives and track.
So yeah, we definitely WANT Atlas to take over Z, for sure. But Z is not the same market as the other scales that have duplication. True, there are rare locos that can handle it...we already have multiple GP7/9's and multiple SD40-2's. And some rolling stock (my aforementioned unit train cars like the bethgons and unit grain) But I think there are still enough items that haven't been done in Z that it would be fairly easy to avoid duplication....for a while anyway. You would have to depend on all the new products from AZL, Atlas, et al expanding the market for Z, which I think is already happening.
If I were Atlas, my formula would be... -No duplication. OK, I would do Bethgons because I need them (a bad reason) and they are generally good sellers in most scales, especially a scale where you can actually run a long enough train to make it look believable. (a good reason) -Focus on *selectively* replicating the Atlas catalog in Z, for things that haven't already been done AND that sold well in N. Use existing research and drawings and CAD as much as possible. -Be mindful of rolling stock that matches up era/locale-wise with existing locos in Z, especially era where the locos exist but not a lot of freight cars like late 60s'/early 70's. -If I dipped my toe in the loco waters, it would be 4-axle GE's...a spot where AZL has expressed no interest. Then possibly some earlier 6-axle GE's. -Look at 89ft flats and 45/48ft Pines Trailers...both could really open up the 80s/90s eras.
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Post by dazed on Mar 30, 2024 20:50:11 GMT -5
Intermountain did that Nestea approach and they're gone from Z forever. I would rather Atlas take a more measured approach, personally.
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Post by dazed on Mar 29, 2024 20:42:01 GMT -5
My primary era is ca. 2002-2012 (up until the SP searchlight signals were replaced in Tehachapi) but that is not something I am too strict about (the thing about later years than that is there is too much over-the-top graffiti for my taste, but I digress). A Trinity 5161/3218 would be fantastic for me. Ed A good portion of AZL's catalog is geared to that era, which is great for us. And most freight cars manufactured in the post-deregulation era (and even 5-10 years prior) are also good too. The Evans boxcars and Airslides being good examples, even though they were in their waning years in the mid/late 2000s. And of course there are plenty of very common prototypes from the broad spectrum of eras that Atlas can choose from as well. Funny, my era also has some ties to signals...same timeframe that searchlights were replaced on BNSF's Red River Valley sub between Fort Worth and Amarillo. But more importantly is...as time ticks by past 2000, that means less and less of the great mix of motive power, and more and more consolidation of railroads and schemes that fade into history. Especially after The Great Recession in 2008 when equipment utilization took a nosedive and older equipment was largely eliminated during that period. 2006-2008 is the sweet spot for me. BNSF SD70ACe's were new on the scene, ES44's were somewhat commonplace, SD40-2's still pretty common, etc. Anyway, back to the topic at hand, it is exciting that a second car from Atlas is under consideration. Hopefully the Evans car will be a hit and more great new stuff (including the aforementioned #8 turnouts) can help bolster Z with another good company.
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Post by dazed on Mar 29, 2024 11:17:30 GMT -5
What is your era? I have a decent amount of research gathered on the later years of these cars. We are not really locked into any era. Atlas looks to me to inform them of what will and what will not sell. Even with all of my experience in the industry and being in Z for decades, sometimes I get surprised at what moves and what doesn't. <snip> So to be honest, I was going to do the 4180 hopper since we have it in N scale. But Hans beat me to it lol. That's okay, just glad we didn't cut any tooling. The next car I'm considering is quite modern, that's all I can say for now! Steve, thanks for the reply! My comment about era was directed toward Ed, not Atlas. I figured that as time went by you would/could have a variety of products from differing eras. As long as it's something the fits somewhere around "mid-90's to mid-2010's" I'll do my best to support it. The Trinity 3281 would be great, too and I'm guessing that would be a very nice stepping stone to an eventual 5161 which would be absolutely epic.
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Post by dazed on Mar 29, 2024 0:44:41 GMT -5
Myself I would prefer AZL to consider producing GE U-Boats rather than bullet trains, even french.🙂🤔 Dom I’ll 2nd that! U23B, U30B and C30-7 please!! 😁 The C30-7’s and U30C’s are probably possible with the C44-9W mech. I have both in N but no interest in Z.
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Post by dazed on Mar 28, 2024 15:12:07 GMT -5
I can tell you there was a delay with the boxcar, but it was due to having to make a few tooling changes that I felt were necessary. They should be getting loaded into a container this week or next. I have a few ideas for the next freight car, stay tuned. Oh, BTW an AZL GP40-2 would be really great! As would a GP35. That was a signature loco for SP. Steve W Oh cool so maybe they will make Q2 then. I would like GP35's for sure. I'd buy a GP40-2 or two but it's not some major need. I need Atlas to do Trinity 5161 Covered Hoppers in Z!!! And bethgons. Two solid unit train cars with lots of schemes. Even if AZL does them also, I'd still buy at least two of every SKU in my preferred schemes from both of you. (BNSFx2, UP, et al for the 5161's and BNx2, BNSFx4, TGNX, EGSX, CCTX, et al for the bethgons)
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Post by dazed on Mar 28, 2024 14:59:55 GMT -5
Atlas has been sliding significantly on arrival dates across the board, so don't get hopes up for any time soon. That's fine by me, I don't mind waiting. Meanwhile I can look for proto pics showing them in a fairly advanced weathering state, since they will be older cars for my modeling era. For sure, I'm in no hurry either. I was just setting expectations....doubt these show in Q2 of 2024. Maybe we'll be surprised. What is your era? I have a decent amount of research gathered on the later years of these cars. I model 2007 "+/- a few years" so by then I'm fudging on a couple of the schemes and/or bending the era a bit. I allow for pretty good latitude in Z since there still isn't an insane amount of choice like you might find in larger scales.
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Post by dazed on Mar 28, 2024 12:39:47 GMT -5
I think this is sort of what they are shooting for, for obvious (or perhaps not-so-obvious) reasons. Take a look at their announcement video from earlier this year to get a better idea of what I'm referring to. There is a nice Mi-Jack model that was produced around 15-20 years ago maybe. I think it was part resin (main frame pieces) and part etched metal. (everything else) Not saying another isn't warranted, just letting y'all know. Between that and the printed options, I would personally rather AZL focus on other stuff. Let a smaller fish work on these types of details. From everything I've seen and what AZL representatives have said, the trucks are generic colors. Matching to the shipping containers/trailers isn't the majority anyway....there are a few especially JB Hunt, but they're white so should be easy to buy a white one and craft a decal to apply. I think if these are successful, we might eventually see a slightly more modern truck and then possibly the JB Hunts, Schneider, Swift, et al.
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