Santa is coming!

[ztrack]

Santa Fe that is!

AZL has announced four new items for December. Santa Fe fans rejoice!



The first release is ATSF bi-level auto-racks. This is the first release of ATSF autoracks in Z scale. Two runner packs and two singles have been released. The fist set is item 90205-3. The road numbers are: 89006, 89013, 89025, 89039. The second set is item 90205-4. The road numbers are: 89059, 89075, 89079, 89093. The MSRP is $131.00 each.

The first single is item 91205-3. The road number is 89000. The second single is item 91205-4. The road number is 89105. The MSRP is $38.00 each.

Quantities are highly limited for both the runner packs and single of the ATSF auto-racks.



AZL has released ATSF ACF 3-bay covered hoppers. A runner pack and a single has been released. The runner pack is item 90315-1. The road numbers are: 313997, 314014, 314018, 314043. The MSRP is $119.00.  Quantities are limited for the runner packs.

The single is item 91315-1. The road number is 314037. The MSRP is $32.00.



A runner pack of Cargil (CRGX) 23,000 gallon funnel flow tank cars have been released. This is the 2nd release of CRGX tank cars. The paint scheme is slightly different from the previous version. The runner pack is item 90504-2. The MSRP is $113.00.



Also new for December is a Norfolk Southern bay-window caboose. Two road numbers have been released. The caboose is item 92005. The road numbers are 385 and 387. The MSRP is $64.00.

There is only 4 weeks remaining to order 60' high-cubes at 50% off! Supplies are getting limited!

Rob Kluz

[Chris333]

Mikado?

[tom mann]

Mikado?

I'll settle for stirrups on the autorack.

[ztrack]

AZL has pushed back on a few minor changes on the Mikado. For instance, they want a little more downforce on the leading set of axles. I am expecting these in early 2012. The line up of road names is excellent.

Stirrups.... this is one of the few compromises I have seen AZL make. The first series had them, but it caused all kinds of issues with the radius these could run on. The original design called for spring loaded, self centering body mount couplers. If that design worked, the stirrups would have stayed. But going truck mounted forced the stirrups to go away.

I personally think the stirrups would make an excellent aftermarket part. Anyone interested in doing them? I will be happy to carry them in our store!

Rob

[Sokramiketes]

AZL has pushed back on a few minor changes on the Mikado. For instance, they want a little more downforce on the leading set of axles. I am expecting these in early 2012. The line up of road names is excellent.

Stirrups.... this is one of the few compromises I have seen AZL make. The first series had them, but it caused all kinds of issues with the radius these could run on. The original design called for spring loaded, self centering body mount couplers. If that design worked, the stirrups would have stayed. But going truck mounted forced the stirrups to go away.

I personally think the stirrups would make an excellent aftermarket part. Anyone interested in doing them? I will be happy to carry them in our store!

Rob

I'm curious on this one, if I put the autoracks on a piece of 195mm radius MTL track (their smallest radius) the coupler boxes don't appear to swing out enough to affect the side sill of the car, let alone the steps.  Is there an even smaller radius that these are designed for?  Is there an issue with s-curves through turnouts or something? 

I'm not looking forward to coming up with a solution to add the missing side sill, add steps, and match paint on the 20 racks I have.  There are other fun ways I'd rather spend my time!

[mcjaco]

There are other fun ways I'd rather spend my time!

Like bitching about MTL releases!   

[ztrack]

Mike, we did have issues with the couplers snagging on the stirrups on the first run. AZL decided to play it safe and remove them. The concern was good operations. I can't fault that.

So again, anyone interested in providing after market stirrups, pre-bent, painted, and color matched to the AZL cars? Mike is in for 20 sets!

Rob