RS-3's Are Here

poppy2201 Jun 15, 2020

  1. z.scale.hobo

    z.scale.hobo TrainBoard Member

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    Bostonjim ... They announced these roads on AZL forum ... Very rare that they give out this much detail ahead of time but he did say the order and timing may change.

    I tested one over the weekend. Very nice tracking and smooth operation.
     
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  2. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you very much. I will get a NHRR as soon as it is available. Finally nice to have something new in the line up. I still have my SW1200 waiting for the spark of inspiration to be built. The RS-3 looks like a winner. I have waited this long so it will be a nice surprise when I hear it is going on sale. Jim
     
  3. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Jim, so did you now find the post on the AZL forum (under sticky: "New Product Announcements / AZL RS3 & RSD5 )

    Like here,you need to click the highest number for the latest post.
     
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  4. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I setup a temporary test track and ran all 3 of mine with DCC, and they all run great together, as well as great slow speed operation. The noisy one has quieted down and runs much better, even though I have not cleaned it out yet. I am sure I just have some debris or dust inside stuck to the lubricating grease. The grease look and acts like Lubriplate grease as opposed to Labelle oils.

    Also of note, I really like the changes made to electrical pickup. The coppery wiper strips now have a folded section which hold better and make better electrical contact inside the frame slots above the fuel tank, and the truck wipers are now folded over towards the bolster center, which prevents the wipers from ever traveling off of contact with the wiper strips, preventing bending of the strips when you have the shell off and rotate the trucks too far.

    I ran mine about 30 minutes in both forward and in reverse, with both directions running the same speed on 2 of the locos, and the first one is slightly slower in reverse than forward, again suggesting some debris in the gears somewhere.

    Overall, I have to rate these locomotives as the best running locos I have received from AZL to date as far as slow speed matching, electrical pickup, and pulling power for 4 axle locomotives yet. I am truly impressed with this one!
     
  5. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

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    I'm really looking forward to the BN units. It looks like I have plenty of time to save up for more than one. (y)
     
  6. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    I think I will get 2 of them. They are too good looking to pass up. Jim
     
  7. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    A NP, GN and BN will make for a cool 1970 theme.
     
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  8. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Infortunately I don't plan to purchase one of these jewels (unless an undec is released one of these days, that could do a good base for Merida's railroad museum that owns an operating RS1). However, I'm very pleased to discover this units is factory equipped with a body mounted coupler, furthermore screwed to position in order to be swapped with another coupler box (MTL for me).

    I greatly hope this will become AZL's new standard for further releases. :D

    Dom
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  9. solo_clipper

    solo_clipper TrainBoard Member

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    Can anybody tell me the model of Micro-Trains magnetic coupler for this engine? Is it the #905 Prod. Code 002 02 021, or the #903 Prod. Code 002 02 020. Thanks.
     
  10. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    It really won't fit well, but yes, the 905 is what you would modify to fit.
     
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