RTTX Flats Now Available From AZL

[ztrack]

This is the month for SP and intermodal fans! 



The first SP release is 60’ beer cars. A runner pack and a single have been released. The runner pack is item 90260-1. The road numbers are: 691657, 691659, 691649, 691664. The MSRP is $120.00.

The single car is item 91260-1. The road number is 691690. The MSRP is $34.00.



The second SP release is waffle side gondolas. These cars appear with a placard for SP on the sides. A runner pack and a single are available. The runner pack is item 90240-1. The road numbers are: 333529, 333530, 333566, 333573. The MSRP is $117.00.

The single car is item 91240-1. The road number is 33574. The MSRP is $32.00.



A new set of CP NSC 53’ well cars have been released. The runner pack is item #90602-5. The set comes with six 40’ containers lettered for Mitsui, Capital, TMM, CAST, Florens and K Line. The road numbers on the cars are: 523137A-523137B-523137C. The MSRP is: $133.00.

* Note this set is in limited supply and is sold out at the manufacturer.

NEW BODY STYLE!

AZL is excited to announce the immediate availability of 89’ RTTX flat cars. These cars feature a die-cast metal chassis, AZL roller bearing truck with AutoLatch coupler and pin holes to accommodate containers of various sizes.





Each car also comes with trailer hitches. These can be installed in the raised or lower position. These parts are under the insert in the packaging.



A runner pack and single is available. The runner pack is item 90151-2. The set comes with four cars with road numbers: 991777, 992680, 980757, 981737. Seven containers come with the set. Six 40’ containers are included. They are lettered for Hyundai, P&O, Maersk, Yank Ming, Hapag-Lloyd and Cosco. A single 53’ container for JB Hunt is included. The MSRP is $169.00.



The single car is item 91101-4. It is road number 991972. Two 40’ containers are included. They are lettered for Mediterranean Shipping and ZIM. The MSRP is $49.00.

See http://www.americanzline.com/ for more information on these and the full line of AZL products.

Rob Kluz

[Ike the BN Freak]

RTTX flats are not set up to haul containers without a chassis.

And the hitches are installed backwards.  The angle should face towards the center of the flat.

[ztrack]

There are plenty of photos showing RTTX flats hauling containers without trailers. Here are a few examples including one showing a Hyundai container which is part of the first release. :

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=378580

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1198950

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3038379

Dolt on the trailer hitches. My fault on that when I photographed them. They pop in to posts so no issue putting them in the correct way.

Rob

[tom mann]

Missing stirrups?  Problem?

[Ike the BN Freak]

Ah, well they seem to only be set up for 40ft, maybe 20s

But not 48ft.

Wonder when TTX changed it, the old TTX flat guide I has shows that the RTTX flats are only designed for 2 45ft trailers or 3 28fts.

[ztrack]

Okay photo updated. See above.

Missing stirrups... problem? Well that is a little extreme. AZL compromised on these like they did for the Autoracks. Insert autorack stirrup discussion here. I will repeat what I said with the autoracks... after market part anyone??

Bigger problem... lack of trailers in Z scale. Now that is a true problem. I would love to see trailers on these cars.

Rob

[Sokramiketes]

Okay photo updated. See above.

Missing stirrups... problem? Well that is a little extreme. AZL compromised on these like they did for the Autoracks. Insert autorack stirrup discussion here. I will repeat what I said with the autoracks... after market part anyone??

Bigger problem... lack of trailers in Z scale. Now that is a true problem. I would love to see trailers on these cars.

Rob

Looks bad without the steps.  Just like the autoracks.  And I still maintain that the steps don't interfere with coupler swing on either MTL radius.  Is anyone really running tighter radius than that? 

I'm thinking about getting a single flat, but hate having to pay for containers I'm not going to use because they're foobies. (Insert well car discussion here)  Maybe I'll just wait for a release without loads. 

I'm etching a bunch of filler pieces with steps for my rack train. 

[Sokramiketes]

Oh, and it's great that AZL finally put the only prototype scheme on the shorty SP gon!

[Robbman]

Why is the TTX logo yellow? 

[Sokramiketes]

Why is the TTX logo yellow?

Probably copying the BLMA artwork:



Would be interesting to see if the AZL car says "F89-J" on the side.  It kinda looks like it does. 

[tom mann]

Rob:

I have a lot of AZL products.  I like them, but you must communicate the issues with the flats to the AZL owners.  Don't forget to mention ride height...

[Sokramiketes]

Rob:

I have a lot of AZL products.  I like them, but you must communicate the issues with the flats to the AZL owners.  Don't forget to mention ride height...

x2 and quoted for truth. 

These flats are really out of place among other quality products.  And fixing the ride height isn't an impossible task.  Including etched steps isn't either.

[ztrack]

Again, see this photo... the TTX logo is in yellow:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1198950

Stirrups... remember guys, not everyone is like you. Not everyone runs broad curves. AZL has to cater to a larger customer base.

Guys, I know it is fun to pick on products. But come on, look at the photos. There is evidence supporting the paint and containers. To pick on a product just to pick on it is really lame. If you want to deal with AZL direct, come on over to the AZL forum and post your concerns. The owners listen and do want to make great products. Share your constructive criticism. But leave the bashing for the sake of bashing somewhere else.

The AZL forum is:

http://www.azlforum.com/

I would encourage you to mention your concerns over the stirrups and ride height.

Rob

[James Costello]

Again, see this photo... the TTX logo is in yellow:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1198950

That's a white TTX logo that, like the rest of the car, is very dirty. The corporate speed TTX logo was always only white.

Guys, I know it is fun to pick on products. But come on, look at the photos. There is evidence supporting the paint and containers. 

Yes, the paint and lettering schemes might be accurate but their application to container styles might not be. I understand your earlier comments about limitations for tooling and I'm sure some customers are happy to have some containers. I'm not doing this for fun and I'm not a z-scaler, so I'm not going to comment any more on that.

Question though - if you were not going to tool up a trailer to go with a flat car, why release a flat with RTTX reporting marks when you could release one with TTCX / CTTX marks and have it actually reflect COFC service? Sure, there's photo evidence of containers on RTTX flats, but I can assure you it is the exception and not the norm.  I'd be saying this to any manufacturer....

[ztrack]

James valid points. Z scale really needs trailers. I like the idea of these universal cars. They made sense... but would definitely make more sense if trailers were available. AZL and MCZ have looked at making trailers. You can find rapid prototype trailers on Shapeways.

Again, I would recommend mentioning the trailer issue of the AZL forum. The owners of AZL do listen and maybe if they receive enough feedback, they will move forward on the trailers.

Rob