Author Topic: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!  (Read 3758 times)

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ztrack

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AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« on: October 09, 2021, 11:05:58 PM »
+7


AMERICAN Z LINE
October 2021 New Releases Part 2
   
TODAY Z SCALE CHANGED – THE SW1500s ARE HERE!

Since the inception of Z scale, US modelers have asked the question, when will a true switcher be commercially available? Today is the day. AZL is excited to announce the immediate release of SW1500s.

Produced by EMD between 1966 and 1974, a total of 808 SW1500 switchers were produced. Over 60 railroads ordered these locomotives including the majority of the class 1 railroads. The SW1500 was rated at 1,500hp. While chiefly a freight locomotive, the SW1500s would see limited passenger service as well on the commuter railroads. Through the years, the locomotive would be passed on to a number of railroads and short-lines. The design and reliability of these locomotives comes through when you consider large numbers are still in use today, nearly 55 years after they were first released.

AZL has elected to offer the Southern Pacific as the first release. The SP operated 204 of the SW1500s. They were by far the largest fleet owner of SW1500s. AZL is offering three road numbers:

62702-1 SP EMD SW1500 2615
62702-2 SP EMD SW1500 2620
62702-3 SP EMD SW1500 2621

The SW1500s feature numerous prototype specific details, traction tires, blacken metal-wheels, innovative drive train and truck design, directional-controlled LEDs and AZL’s AutoLatchTM couplers.

As a bonus, AZL’s Innovation Lab is including two adapters that allow the SW1500 to be retrofitted with Micro-TriainsTM 905 couplers.

We have the instructions posted online at:

https://www.americanzline.com/tech/documents/

Note: We are advising customers not to attempt to remove the shells of the SW1500s. Doing so may result in damage to the locomotive’s shells.

See the American Z Line site for more information on these and other AZL products.

http://www.americanzline.com

Rob Kluz
Ztrack Distribution

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tehachapifan

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2021, 01:37:23 AM »
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Wowzers!!! :o :o :o :o

Looks incredible! Photo could pass as an HO model!


daniel_leavitt2000

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2021, 04:51:19 AM »
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Ok I have two questions.

1. Does this have a scale width hood or is it a widebody like the MTL N scale model?
2. What on earth makes it so fragile you can't disassemble it?

I got to admit, I would love to do a tiny coffee table layout with one of these in Conrail, an MTL N4A caboose and a few cement hoppers.
There's a shyness found in reason
Apprehensive influence swallow away
You seem to feel abysmal take it
Then you're careful grace for sure
Kinda like the way you're breathing
Kinda like the way you keep looking away

Rivet Miscounter

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2021, 06:29:22 PM »
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1. Does this have a scale width hood or is it a widebody like the MTL N scale model?
2. What on earth makes it so fragile you can't disassemble it?

So the "don't disassemble" warning was clarified on the AZL forum.   Essentially if you try to remove it in the same manner that has been communicated to the Z community for other locos, there is a high likelyhood that it will cause damage.   So they did the disclaimer until they get the proper steps documented and communicated out.   I'm paraphrasing but that's the gist of it.

Regarding the hood width, I don't know the answer.  Here are two of the best pics I could find if you can discern from the ratios.
https://azlforum.com/attachment/download/6207
https://azlforum.com/attachment/download/5951
I'm not sure how exactly MTL did it.  Did they make the entire body wide (i.e. sitting too wide on the trucks) so that the ratio of hood width versus body/walkway width were correct?  Or was it simply the hood was wide and walkways were narrow?  The former might be hard to tell from the pics.   It does not seem to me that the latter is true, but admittedly I haven't studied SW1500's that much.

EDIT: Just reviewed the video announcement about these from last year....Hans says dimensionally they are "dead on".   :o
« Last Edit: October 10, 2021, 09:36:14 PM by Rivet Miscounter »
Doug

ztrack

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2021, 10:10:53 PM »
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Doug you got it. Thanks!  I have not measured the SW1500 to compare against the original. But it looks real tight. This is definitely not a wide body like the MTL GP35. Wait until you see these in person. Wow. Plus they run great!!!
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Rivet Miscounter

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2021, 02:25:44 PM »
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Wait until you see these in person. Wow.

I ordered one, just waiting for AZL's distributor to hurry up and ship them!   :trollface: :P 8)
Doug

amato1969

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2021, 08:10:16 AM »
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Those look fantastic!

ztrack

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2021, 01:13:14 PM »
+1
I ordered one, just waiting for AZL's distributor to hurry up and ship them!   :trollface: :P 8)

I'm working on it!!! The first shipments just went out today...

So when does test running just become playing with trains?????
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Ed Kapuscinski

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2021, 01:43:56 PM »
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I got to admit, I would love to do a tiny coffee table layout with one of these in Conrail, an MTL N4A caboose and a few cement hoppers.

Truth.

ztrack

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2021, 02:20:19 PM »
+1
Okay get your calipers ready. Attached is the SP schematics with hood width and dimensions.
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Rivet Miscounter

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2021, 04:16:21 PM »
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So when does test running just become playing with trains?????

When your hourly rate drops below $1.00.   :D
Doug

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #11 on: October 13, 2021, 07:30:32 AM »
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Okay get your calipers ready. Attached is the SP schematics with hood width and dimensions.

@ztrack Forgive me but i do not see a long hood width on the drawing.  I see a cab width otherwise.

ztrack

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2021, 09:47:45 PM »
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Sorry that is the only schematic I have. But I think it does give you an idea that these have really been scaled nicely.
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Chris333

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2021, 03:47:38 AM »
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Not my video:


Rivet Miscounter

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Re: AZL October 2021 New Items Part 2 - SW1500s!
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2021, 09:59:12 PM »
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@ztrack Forgive me but i do not see a long hood width on the drawing.  I see a cab width otherwise.

I'm showing 8.53mm on the long hood width.
Doug