American Z Line AZL EMD GP30s Are Here!

ztrack Aug 19, 2011

  1. Chris333

    Chris333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    WP ordered GP30's late. So late that by the time they were built EMD gave them GP35's instead.
     
  2. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    The Mad River museum is on my wish list of things to do next time I'm in the States as is the preserved NKP 4-6-4 which I think is in St Louis.
    thanks for the picture
    KEV
     
  3. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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  4. BurlingtonRoute

    BurlingtonRoute TrainBoard Member

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  5. zfuture

    zfuture TrainBoard Member

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    Dynamic brake

    Yes, we will offer the GP30 with and without the dynamic brake. As the dynamic brake cowling was used also for the non dynamic brake versions, only the roof fan will be the visible difference. A high hood GP30 is not planned at this point.
     
  6. Mike Skibbe

    Mike Skibbe TrainBoard Member

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    The cowling was there, but the non-db version didn't have the screens in the side of the cowling, just a flat plate. So a separate cowling still needs to be tooled, not just the blockoff plate where the roof mounted db fan would be.
     
  7. zfuture

    zfuture TrainBoard Member

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    Yes that is true, the non-db versions did not have side screens. The tooling was quite high and we let it be. Not very visible, especially on darker units like the upcoming NYC.
     
  8. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Anyone get theirs yet? I'm still waiting for a confirmation from my dealer? I get so impatient when new releases come out and I'm waiting to get my hand on them. :D Don't you?
     
  9. zscaler

    zscaler TrainBoard Member

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    Someone is already selling these on Ebay. $190 for the engine and $90 for the caboose. Greedy people out there.
     
  10. craz3474

    craz3474 TrainBoard Member

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    I went by the LHS yesterday to check out the new GP30. Out of the box the engine looked nice. Placed it on the test track and applied power................NOTHING.
    Checked all the track connections...............NOTHING.
    Pulled the shell off and found the circuit board had slipped out during shipping. Easy fix, slid right back in.
    This time the engine ran like a dream, smooth, quiet and steady!
    Now I just have to wait for the Wisconsin Central.
     
  11. tin1197

    tin1197 TrainBoard Member

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    DSC00057.jpg DSC00104.jpg DSC00056.jpg


    I got mine and added all basic details, notice the bell and light are SP typical and noticeable parts.

    Hien.



    DSC00111.jpg
     
  12. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Hien the extra details look great!

    Rob
     
  13. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Hien just brought over his GP30, I was Floored! It looks fantastic! He added sunshades, mirrors, windshield wipers, correct lights, bell, grab irons, and put on the pilot. It's so exquisite, you have to see it in person to fully appreciate it! :D


    I still have not heard from my dealer about mine yet, I'm dying already, need my GP30's! [​IMG]
     
  14. harold grady

    harold grady TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Robert, I know how you must feel. So far i have just brought one but intend to purchase
    many many more. i still have some of your GP-30 conversion kits. These were very well
    orchestrated. With a little tweaking these were the bomb
     
  15. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, here we go . . . DCC'd. First, they ran extremely well on DC. So, time to DCC them. Popped the shell to see where to put the TS Z2 decoder. PC bd different from the GP7 and SD70, almost reversed !

    AZL GP30_8-2011_29.jpg AZL GP30_8-2011_30.jpg






    So it goes at the rear, like the SD70:
    AZL GP30_8-2011_31.jpg

    The problem is there is a plastic chassis keeper that has risers on the rear (you cannot swap with the front one). Cut off the two risers:
    AZL GP30_8-2011_34.jpg
     
  16. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Next, modify the light board, bottom side, by removing L1 and L2 coils (these are interference filters and not necessary with DCC). Replace with wire jumpers.

    Remove the 2 copper motor contacts as, IMO, these are not reliable. Just solder the Orange and Gray wires directly to the motor. CAUTION ! Do NOT bend the motor tabs !!! They will move in the motor !!! There is enough clearance to properly solder to the tabs.
    AZL GP30_8-2011_39.jpg

    Finished install: NOTE: these are not the correct wire color locations. I was in a hurry, the layout was different but I sure as hell know the right side is Red (of Forward) and the left is Black. The White and Yellow are reversed.

    AZL GP30_8-2011_45.jpg

    Enjoy !
    .
     
  17. MrCONRAIL&BNSF

    MrCONRAIL&BNSF TrainBoard Member

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    thanks for the DCC tips baz! Can't wait until the future rail names to come so I can buy a few. I slept on the SP and whoooops SOLD OUT!
     
  18. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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  19. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Excellent! does the shell still fit? :D
     
  20. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    I just checked and ... has posted their stock of GP30s today on their website. They do have SPs available. For some reason I am unable to post their link.
    Rob
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2011

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