TheRailwire

General Discussion => HO and Larger Scales => Topic started by: 3rdrail on August 08, 2007, 05:08:11 PM

Title: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 08, 2007, 05:08:11 PM
You know to whom I am referring, you "rubber scalers".  ;D ;D There was a photo in the Kalmbach new items of an American Z Line GP7 or 9 in DGLE.  :o Looked very, very, tempting - so damned tempting I've got a couple of questions. First, MSRP is shown as  $185. - ouch! Anybody discount these?? Since MTL now has switches and this is a scale hood width GP, I am awfully tempted to "piddle around" with some Z too. Might do another 24" by 48", only in Z.

So, how cheap can I get an AZL Geep? Where? Some of you are getting decals done, where??  8) 8) Inquiring minds want to  know.   :D
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: tom mann on August 08, 2007, 05:22:02 PM
Gregg, I thought the MSRP was actually above 200, and that 185 would be the discounted price.  At times, AZL uses a brass shell around the motor to achieve the scale width hood.  The GP7s available now are actually a pre-release:  Only UP and Pennsy are available so AZL can receive feedback for the future run.  I've seen (and weathered) a SD40T-2 and a SD40-2 from AZL and they are amazing little models.

I've ordered Z from Chuck and Anthony at ZScaleMonster.com.

As for decals, a bunch of people make them on their printers and trade them with others. 

A man can meet you tonight by your mailbox to discuss details if you're interested in joining the Z people. ;)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: FrankCampagna on August 08, 2007, 06:04:43 PM
http://www.zscalemonster.com/azl/gp7/gp7.htm

Frank
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 08, 2007, 07:50:21 PM
There have been a few small problem with the first AZL GP7s (UP & PRR) So if anything I would wait for the "real" production run. I think most problems are with the truck contacts against the frame. Also it comes with traction tires on 2 wheels I believe. I don't know if this will effect electric pick-up or not.

David has one.

I still plan to get one though.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 08, 2007, 07:59:52 PM
Ohhh, the rascal has trainphone antennae too! Thanks for the warning Chris. Since the Dothan show is only a little more than a month away, I won't try to get something built for this year. But for next year, maybe... 8)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 08, 2007, 08:18:07 PM
To start your collection:

http://www.zscalemonster.com/shawnee/500-006.htm
http://www.zscalemonster.com/mt/ps2/531-00-020.jpg

 ;)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 08, 2007, 08:30:51 PM
Also PRR hoppers in 2, 4, or 6 packs:
http://ztrainstation.com/store/index.php?target=categories&category_id=204
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 08, 2007, 08:42:28 PM
Chris, only the 55 ton hoppers are of the correct era, the boxcars and covered hoppers are the shadow keystone lettering, post-1954, I prefer the circle keystone scheme used from 1930 to 1954.  :-\
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 08, 2007, 09:12:52 PM
Same here, I didn't buy any of the boxcars either.

I did draw up a X-29 boxcar in CAD to etch the sides and glue to a stock car body, but then what would I use for decals?

So can we get to you try On30 as well?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery/album40
Bach-man says it is a stock catalog locomotive, but I can't find a prototype like it at all  :-X
Does look nice though.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 08, 2007, 10:02:21 PM
Same here, I didn't buy any of the boxcars either.

I did draw up a X-29 boxcar in CAD to etch the sides and glue to a stock car body, but then what would I use for decals?

So can we get to you try On30 as well?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery/album40
Bach-man says it is a stock catalog locomotive, but I can't find a prototype like it at all   :-X
Does look nice though.

Yeah, its a stock catalog locomotive. That does not mean any were ever actually built. Have you seen the H. K. Porter Catalog that the NMRA reprinted? I bought a copy in Chattanooga in 2004. Porter catalogued light and heavy 4-4-0's from 24" gauge to 5'6" gauge. I doubt that a fifth of the designs catalogued were ever actually built.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: DKS on August 09, 2007, 12:15:02 AM
There have been a few small problem with the first AZL GP7s (UP & PRR) So if anything I would wait for the "real" production run. I think most problems are with the truck contacts against the frame. Also it comes with traction tires on 2 wheels I believe. I don't know if this will effect electric pick-up or not.

David has one.

I still plan to get one though.

Yes, I have the Pensy with antenna. So far it runs without any problems--I guess I was lucky. It's a very fine little loco--good looking and a nice, smooth mechanism. It does have two traction tires, although they don't appear to give it much grief; I've ordered a replacement truck so I can be rid of them, but it may be quite a while before parts are available. Here it is with some of the WDW Pensy hoppers, which are also nice models:

(http://jamesriverbranch.net/images/IMG_4232_G.jpg)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Pray59 on August 09, 2007, 04:05:39 PM
I have some of the AZL GP7's too, and they are pretty. I have 1 Pennsy, and 2 UP's that I was going to repaint but I decided to keep them as is. I can now do a bit of a Camas Prairie thing with my UP GP7's and MTL NP GP9's. They MU together with MTL's just fine.

-Robert
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 11, 2007, 08:53:43 AM
Same here, I didn't buy any of the boxcars either.

I did draw up a X-29 boxcar in CAD to etch the sides and glue to a stock car body, but then what would I use for decals?

So can we get to you try On30 as well?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery/album40
Bach-man says it is a stock catalog locomotive, but I can't find a prototype like it at all   :-X
Does look nice though.

Yeah, its a stock catalog locomotive. That does not mean any were ever actually built. Have you seen the H. K. Porter Catalog that the NMRA reprinted? I bought a copy in Chattanooga in 2004. Porter catalogued light and heavy 4-4-0's from 24" gauge to 5'6" gauge. I doubt that a fifth of the designs catalogued were ever actually built.

Since my ISP decided to take Friday night off, I got out the reprinted Porter catalog. A telegram to Porter with the message "Tenons Hadria Telary" would have gotten a quote on one 30" gauge light 4-4-0, FOB Pittsburgh.  8)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 11, 2007, 02:37:12 PM
What does Tenons Hadria Telary mean? Are there photos? ;D

Here is a 30" gauge 4-4-0 that still runs in Brazil, it has the same sized drivers (36-38") and same spacing as the Bachmann model, but look how far back the cab is. Oh yeah plus it is outside framed and look at the boiler sticking out the back of the cab by about a foot!

(http://lh5.google.com/ErieChris333/RrvF1F-BToI/AAAAAAAABfc/GPzMJ65G2Yc/s800/4-4-0-3%20001.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5096884919225896578)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 11, 2007, 02:57:03 PM
What does Tenons Hadria Telary mean? Are there photos? ;D

Here is a 30" gauge 4-4-0 that still runs in Brazil, it has the same sized drivers (36-38") and same spacing as the Bachmann model, but look how far back the cab is. Oh yeah plus it is outside framed and look at the boiler sticking out the back of the cab by about a foot!

(http://lh5.google.com/ErieChris333/RrvF1F-BToI/AAAAAAAABfc/GPzMJ65G2Yc/s800/4-4-0-3%20001.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5096884919225896578)

Chris, there is one photo for each type of locomotive - so there are two 4-4-0 photos, one for the light and one for the heavy. Each of the various dimensioned locomotives had a code name, using the letters in H.K.Porter. There were also code words used in telegrams shown in the catalog. "Tenons" meant quote price on one locomotive, "hadria" meant the smallest 4-4-0 in cylinder and driver size, and "telary" was the codeword for 30 inch gauge. There are a number of photos of other Porter locomotives in the book, but none of 30 inch gauge 4-4-0's. Lots of "fireless cookers" and mining engines, including compressed air. The oddest was the compressed air 0-8-0 used by the Navy to tow dirigibles.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on August 11, 2007, 03:35:13 PM
Any idea about the rationale behind the code words?
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 11, 2007, 03:50:01 PM
Any idea about the rationale behind the code words?

Yeah Ed, guess Western Union telegrams were long before your time. Western Union charged by the word, so a three word telegram cost a helluva lot less than a thirty word one.  :o
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 11, 2007, 06:01:45 PM
I was going ask why Pittsburgh was mentioned, then I noticed your looking in a Porter catalog. The Bachmann locomotive is supposed to be a Baldwin.  I just wish I could find something that remotely resembles it because I want one. I can move the cab and rear driver back, but it helps to have photos or drawings to work from.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 11, 2007, 06:37:47 PM
If Baldwin built it, it almost had to be for an overseas order, as there were no 30 inch gauge common carriers in the USA. While all builders built industrial locomotives, it was very much a sideline, although Baldwin did build a 36 inch gauge 4-4-0 in 1946 for the Unidos de Yucatan in México. Hmmm.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 11, 2007, 06:44:28 PM
I don't necessarily need to find a 30" gauge prototype, just something with the same overall proportions with the small drivers.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery/albums/album40/aah.jpg

In "The Book" I found these 2 with short wheelbases, but the drivers are larger:
(http://lh5.google.com/ErieChris333/Rrt0IF-BTmI/AAAAAAAABeU/6gI1Hb-irhg/s800/4-4-0-1%20001.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5096795085689933410)
(http://lh4.google.com/ErieChris333/Rrt0L1-BTnI/AAAAAAAABec/aPEN3MpCpnE/s800/4-4-0-2%20001.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5096795150114442866)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: tom mann on August 11, 2007, 06:53:20 PM
Gregg,

I think a lot of 36" gauge prototype are being released as 30" models.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 11, 2007, 07:03:44 PM
Gregg,

I think a lot of 36" gauge prototype are being released as 30" models.

You opened that can o'worms. That's why I can't call it scale modeling.  :( ;)

OR&W was Ohio River & Western, a 36" PRR subsidiary between Bellaire and Zanesville, OH. I cringe when I see OR&W (and EBT) used on 30" gauge stuff. Funny, 24" gauge expanded to 30" doesn't bother me near as much, probably because it would increase stability rather than decrease it.  ::)
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 12, 2007, 12:04:12 PM
I think I've found the prototype for Bachmann's On30 4-4-0. Several were built by Baldwin for the Mt. Gretna Railroad to 24 inch gauge. The Mt. Gretna served a hotel in the Poconos in Pennsylvania and was strictly a summer passenger operation.

You know, if Bachmann could offer its On30 models, like the Forney and the Consolidation in HOn30 to run on N scale track, they might sell me on that because there are so many beautiful structure kits made in HO.
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 12, 2007, 12:15:28 PM
That is also what someone over at Ask the Bach man said:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/photos/mt_gretna.jpg

To me the drivers look even closer together and the Mt. Gretna loco's had shrouds over the drivers.

Guess I should just give up and buy one  ;D
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: Chris333 on August 12, 2007, 01:48:11 PM
Found another narrow(er) gauge 4-4-0
(http://lh6.google.com/ErieChris333/Rr9HDV-BTzI/AAAAAAAABic/A6cQjeNvVYQ/s800/4-4-0-6%20001.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5097871425969147698)

But no match. Any idea what E.F.O.M. is?
Title: Re: Awright, you "Z scale piddlers"...
Post by: 3rdrail on August 12, 2007, 03:48:42 PM
Found another narrow(er) gauge 4-4-0
(http://lh6.google.com/ErieChris333/Rr9HDV-BTzI/AAAAAAAABic/A6cQjeNvVYQ/s800/4-4-0-6%20001.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5097871425969147698)

But no match. Any idea what E.F.O.M. is?
The "E.F." stands for Estrada de Ferra, which is Portuguese for "Railway", so I'll bet the engine is Brazilian. They had some weird and wonderful railways in Brazil. Meter gauge Yellowstones and Texas types for example. The "O.M." could mean "Eastern" (Oriental) or "Western" (Occidental) some province or state beginning with "M".