Ztrack Now Accepting Challenger Reservations

ztrack Mar 10, 2010

  1. zscaler

    zscaler TrainBoard Member

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    Top view on curve.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Dave, did you notice the large piping, above the forward driver's rear axle, to the rear driver's cylinder assy telescope in/out ???? (both sides of the boiler) Super !
    .
     
  3. ClancyT

    ClancyT TrainBoard Member

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    Wow! These are really beautiful! How does it run? Well I know it runs with a motor...but what I really mean to say is does it run as great as it looks? Can it negotiate the MT curves, tracks and switches? It would be great to hear about its running ability! Thanks!
     
  4. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Clancy, welcome to Trainboad.
     
  5. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Hi Clancy, Welcome to Trainboard! :D
     
  6. zscaler

    zscaler TrainBoard Member

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    Ran it through several of my MT switches - ran fine.
    Took it through my 11" radius curve (tightest turn on my module) - did fine.
    Shot some video - watch that boiler swing out. Close up of the engine running by.
    Video coming up on Vimeo.com - soon.
     
  7. ClancyT

    ClancyT TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the warm welcome from you all! I have been a Z-er for a while but new to Trainboard and have really enjoyed reading the different posts and topics. Congratulations on your new engine, David! I bet you are proud and excited to own and run this thing. It is a beauty and I loved the photos posted.
     
  8. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    David, please... O PLEASE, tell the straight honest to god truth... is this loco a train show reliable all day long train puller, or a Glass Display Case King? Don't worry about hurting anybody's feelings, just lay out the facts please? :D

    Something in between? Do tell! Don't worry, I'll put you in the witness protection program, so spill your guts!
     
  9. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Robert,

    If I were wealthy, (which I am not) I would build a beautiful display case to show off the AZL steam collection. It would be worth it just to have a great display of the brass steam.

    Of course, Hans needs to first tell us of his plans for future steam so I could build the right size display case.

    He wrote to me this morning and expressed concern that the stupid volcano may end up causisng him to miss the convention......that would be a real bummer for several reasons.

    I hope to ply Hans with promises of something or other and elicit from him any info on future steam releases. If he doesn't say "Berkshire" then I'll personally put him back on the plane to wherever he came from.:eek:)

    Let's all cross our fingers in the hope that Hans, Sven Martin Holt, and Torsja and others will be able to fly here for the convention.

    I visited the convention hall this morning to get the lay of the land and it is the nicest venue we'll ever have to run Z scale trains.

    Saturday's public attendance promises to be a ton of fun and here's hoping the Southern Oregon Z Model Engineers recruit a whole bunch of new Z scalers.

    9 days till fun city.......much to do yet.
     
  10. ClancyT

    ClancyT TrainBoard Member

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    Can you build an extra display case? Do we know the details of the box cars and cabooses yet that come with the sets? Are the box cars and caboose also brass? David when you ran your beautiful engine - did it run well consistently without any derailments? I too am curious to see if you classify this beauty as a good runner, or average. Thanks!
     
  11. zscaler

    zscaler TrainBoard Member

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    No problem Robert.
    Just finished making the video I shot of the Challenger.
    First it will creep by. Extreme close up.
    Then see it on a 21" radius turn.
    Then see it on a 11" radius turn.
    Then see it on a 8" radius turn!
    It looks very strange on the 8", but it works. All the wheels stay on the track.
    And watch the boiler swing out.
    Pulled 20 cars easily.
    Should run at shows just fine. Would look just plain awesome just sitting there on a siding too. Runs very quiet too.
    Strange things:

    1. Only the rear drivers are powered. The front drivers just spin and look powered.
    2. The rear light comes on when you back.
    3. No front headlight though.
    4. Only the front truck (2 axles) turns on the tender. The rear five axles do not pivot at all, but do swing to the side enough to make those 8" radius turns.
     
  12. zscaler

    zscaler TrainBoard Member

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  13. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    Stunning! Absolutely sweet looking. Thanks for the video!
     
  14. Fred Ladd

    Fred Ladd TrainBoard Member

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    Handsom engine. Thanks for video and critique.
    Fred
     
  15. zfuture

    zfuture TrainBoard Member

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    Volcano

    Thank you for your concern about the Icelandic volcano. Looks like Torsja, Svein-Martin and I will make it over, but what about Mnt. Shasta, Mnt. Lassen, Mnt. McLoughlin? Will they spoil the fun in Medford?
     
  16. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    haha! Shasta's not smouldering yet, but I'll be driving right by it next week so I'll be able to take a closer look! :D
     
  17. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks great but surprised to see the main crank is a Marklin variant as the slide valve is not running on a slide but rather an extension of the main rod.

    How much will it pull?

    cheers Garth
     
  18. ClancyT

    ClancyT TrainBoard Member

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    Hans, when are the Challenger sets being released? Are they packaged as separate pieces or packaged together (like in a collector's box)? Am I right in understanding that the caboose is only sold in the set..but the cars themselves will be sold as separate releases too? Thanks and have a very safe trip!
     
  19. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hans, I don't think McLoughlin has even coughed or sneezed in many years. Don't know about the others, but I think you're safe while over here.......oh no, what was that rumble? :eek:)
     
  20. Glenn Woodle

    Glenn Woodle TrainBoard Member

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    Don't forget Mt St Helens. She seems to be quiet for now but you never know. If you have time worth a side trip from Portland to check out. Big blow in the 80's, then some more activity the last few years. Great website with plenty of pictures to explore.
     

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