And myself I'm far more happy with this choice, although I'm a modern era guy and although I should have nothing to say about this: I'm far more happy to expect USRA Mikes (especially the heavy one, whom I already know I'll purchase one as soon as it's released) than Moguls, Ten-Wheelers or Pacifics that are already quite broadly available at Marklin's (and in a least extent at MTL's).... Go on with USRAs AZL!:tb-wink: Dom
If you removed all of the screws, the bottom should just fall out. You don't have to remove the trucks. The GS-4 already has a place to mount a speaker inside. I wish I had a place to run mine to show it off... Soon enough.
Oh and while we are at it... I could use 4 or 5 Southern Pacific Mountains... Now that's a good looking steamer! :tb-biggrin::thumbs_up:
Just a friendly reminder. No Big Boys before the Challengers are sold out. We are expecting that to happen with a small run of 125 units.
I don't know how I could miss this screws when I checked it. I found them when I checked again, as you can see on the image. But there will be a bigger challenge to have a decoder and speakers in this tenders. Its a little more inside that may give some challenges, but I guess I will work it out.
I cut those four fins down so there was just enough for the tender to be secure. I used a dremel to remove the oil tank wall inside the tender to make more room. Last thing... Trash the lead weight. That tender tracks just fine with the decoder and speaker installed. Good luck!
There's a cardmodel version of the Big Boy under development by a fellow in Thailand; the test build is underway and it's breathtaking! Kartonbau.de - Alles rund um's Kartonmodell... | Bauberichte | Testbau Big Boy 4-8-8-4 1:25
so maybe nerver? Cab Forwards and GS3/4 are still at dealerships, guess the Challenger gas the same fate...
AZL Brass Do not fear that the Challenger will not sell out! Originally we made up to 500 units of a particular brass run. We have gotten the numbers way down and is now around the 100 mark. We still have GS-4s, AC-12s, Challengers, and E-7s for sale, but not in large numbers. We also have some passenger cars sets. The C44, PA, E8, SD40-2, SD45, SD40T2, F45, GS-3, SP articulated passenger cars and Re 6/6 runs are sold out. The original SZL Re 4/4 and passenger cars is gone too. We hope to add a brass release every 18 months or so. No decision yet on what comes after the Big Boy. And then we have the brass CA-3 Caboose which comes with the Challenger sets. It is likely that this car will be available for Big Boy sets as well.
Hans, any decision yet if those that bought the grey Challenger can add on the caboose and car set? (Mine did not have that option when I bought it). By the way- the Challenger runs beautifully, consistently!
Hans, I would also like to know if there are plans ton sell PFE reefer sets. I'm very interested in getting a set or two. Thanks, James
AZL Projects Status We just OKed the Big Boy drawings and made a few changes. Expect a locomotive that will match the Challenger closely. 10 different roadnumbers will be offered. We will offer the two radiator style versions (very minor difference). No word yet if we will be able to power up the headlight. As for other news, the PFEs are production ready and the Challenger customers will be served first. 4 packs and single units will be available later. Expect PFE packages to go with the Big Boy as well as more CA-3 cabooses. The RDCs should be in stores by late November. Hopefully we will have the GP30 by Christmas as well. Tooling will continue on the AC4400, but expect to see more SD70, GP7 and GP38-2 locomotives before the AC4400. We have also ordered new runs for the Auto Rack (improved from first run), ACF 3 Bay Hopper, Bay Window Caboose and Funnel Flows. The 53' Well car is scheduled for production soon. Within 3 months we should have the Pullman 12-1 Sleeper and the Thrall Gondola. In the same period we should also be getting the first plastic for the Mikado and RTTX products. I know that I have forgotten something, but as you can see, we are swamped!