This was put in my hands, it's an experiment by a friend. Thoughts? He hasn't tried fitting it on any chassis' yet and knows it isn't ready for production. Thoughts?
I would remove all details that can replaced with etched parts so you have the chance to smooth some surfaces
Overall shape looks good! Especially the nose looks right. The nose and front windows are difficult to get right for this model. Depending on what chassis is used you might want a seperate under frame with attached pilots. A gp30 chassis might have close enough bolster distance. Frank Verstuurd vanaf mijn ANE-LX1 met Tapatalk
Hi Gerd, I think this is a really cool loco shell especially for someone willing to step out and put money into something new, to even go this far to produce a shell. I would imagine that most modelers would be happy to have one with as many details included as possible. Bashing it and putting etched parts is something few, other than you, would/could do. That is your specialty.
Good ideas Frank, If it was to go any further than this test then those would be great considerations.
Yes, we are needing an F40PH in Z-scale to pull those AZL Superliners!! Those of us who can model the late 70's-90's will appreciate these!!
I could be wrong but I believe the F40PH was the predecessor of the F59PHI and they share the same truck wheelbase size and bolster to bolster size. If that's true, AZL has the chassis for you. And they are quite cheap now. I don't own one but I have read they are a really good running chassis.
Believe it or not, these things are a full ten feet longer between trucks than the GP30--one third longer between truck centers. But with no end platforms, overall length is exactly the same. No, they aren't exactly the same. Yes, they are plenty close enough for government work. I haven't converted the just under two feet of extra length between truck centers to Z scale, but I don't think anyone can prove yours is wrong without a micrometer.
Super big 'stirups', pretty big on the fans. Get rid of the 'draft' print lines all over the shell . . and . . . . . . YOU'VE GOT A WINNER ! Make mine Caltrain, 911 Jeff SF Bay Area Z Scale a.k.a. The BAZ BoyZ
The stirrups look overly large on the prototype too, so I would leave them as-is, especially for strength purposes. (and for *most* schemes they are painted black, so not as noticeable.) Frustrating to have a shell without a mech that it's designed for. There were some companies in N that would do that, and it was dang near impossible to get anything to work right with them.
Any updates on this, by chance? AZL now not only has Phase III Superliners, but the Baggage car is coming soon too. Only thing missing is a couple F40PH's in Phase III to haul it!!!
I think some one could design a brass chassis by using two of the Shorty units to power this one. Having the brass chassis would give it the weight needed for power! Like they did for the SW's with two sets of power wheels!!!
Not to dissuade this project, but a quote from Hans at AZL from the AZL forum: "Wish we had it in our inventory now, but one day we will get around to make the F40PH." Now, this doesn't really qualify as breaking news or anything....it seems likely they have not even started this project, so I doubt we'll see one from AZL for at least 3-4 years. But just thought I'd share for those who don't frequent the AZL forum or may have otherwise missed it.
Just plug an MTL GP35 or AZL GP30 chassis under the hood and be finished, no need for a new chassis. Only thing to model are the tanks.
Doug (almost always) seems to (except Jeff made the stirrup comment and Doug did minimize that problem) have a negative to report... Heck, there ARE bunches of negatives to report in Z-scale. Look at what's up with MA!! This (obviously) fits the AZL F59 chassis. Only seems the windshield and other small detail items (...small items like couplers) are awaiting it. Truthfully, and likely has killed the project. I did have two of these running around for Christmas (Karin mailed me the four that she had) painted green. They are cool!
I'm not sure where that was made obvious. I would be very surprised if that is the case. The real life dimensions are quite different. I do realize some in Z don't concern theirselves with such accuracy, and perhaps the design was indeed done to fit the F59PHI chassis. But if so, they are pretty far off from actual dimensions. (and by the way, looking at the photos it does not seem to be 2ft longer so I'm not convinced it was designed with that discrepancy) But that might not even be the biggest problem. The shape of the F59PHI is also different, so there may be issues inside the shell as well. And I can almost guarantee that--being a cowl body mech--the width would have to be excessive, which I suppose could help with the fact that it might also be 2ft too long. (and again, IMHO the photos don't seem to bear that out) A better fit might be a GP35 or GP30, which would be about a foot short versus 2 feet long and likely would have fewer issues with shell clearance. Or better yet a custom mech using a Shorty or two. You can call me "negative" all you want, but that doesn't make it any less correct. There is no need to assume things won't get done correctly....too many folks are doing quality work these days. And for the record, I don't even think this shell *is* incorrect....only that it doesn't currently/apparently have a mechanism that easily mates up with it at this time. (including, and especially, the F59PHI) With the Shorty mechs in play, that can change overnight, so rock and roll! I do think that the shell as-is would be a compromise versus a comparable AZL offering. There's nothing wrong with that...plenty of compromises in Z...but to that point I personally would not take on this project as it stands. I'm sure plenty will, and get good results. That doesn't mean there can't be good, meaningful, productive discussion about it in the mean time.
Doug I'm sorry my humor is stale. No insult intended just attempts at inside baseball. I actually loved your earlier comments. Jeff's comment, on the other hand... The F59 mechanisms have to be shaved substantially along the top outsides. Width is a tad tight. Doesn't affect operations and by lowering changes the proportion to support the associated 2 ft length difference. Like Karin said, just test shots. The new batch fits like a glove -but there's no hobby money left. I totally ran out of money just trying to keep up with AZL's new issues. I've got a few Viewliner sleepers that were cut up and 3D parts to make baggage cars ...that just will have to stay in pieces, for now. My budget is ruined. Trying to keep things happy skippy around here is tough (hobbywise) under the current circumstances. With MA going out of business, there are many things they made that I need ...but cannot afford, right this second. Remember Robert Ray's tag line? Whoa! Hope SP, GN or NYC are not the next AZL releases. I'm done for if they are. Anyway, thanks for your post. You are right, the shorty changes everything in z scale ...that and 3D prints. Custom is still a big part of this scale. I do always enjoy reading your comments, for sure.
Ah, ok...so "shaved F59PHI" is a pretty different animal. Guess you did indeed do a good job of adjusting the proportions. I understand the money flow situation...I was very thankful that the one major thing I want from AZL (Maxi-I Doublestack Cars) has been delayed due to the factory issues. I'm still not hopeful of having funds when they finally do arrive, but at least there's a chance now.
I'm afraid I have to agree with Gerd and Doug. For me the critical dimension is for truck center-to-center. In that case: F40PH 42' GP30 41' GP35 43' F59PHI 44' I'd go with a GP30 because it's easy to shorten a fuel tank as compared to pushing the trucks into the noses. Mark