Hello Board Has somebody installed light on their AZL Diesels ? How's the progress to install light? Are their some pictures? Regards Jürg
I have an AZL C40-9W and and an SD40-2 with lighting, but I did NOT do it myself. Unfortunately, the person that DID perform the operation has decided not to do anymore, as they were evidently pretty difficult installations. I know that Robert Ray has put new main lighting AND ditch lighting on his MTL GP35s, so I'm pretty sure that he could accomplish it. I need someone to step forward, as I've just bought another SD40-2 that is begging for some lighting. Anyone want to volunteer? Bryan
I really like doing projects like that, but i just don't have enough time. So far this year, all 5 weeks of it I have had more HO, N and Z orders than in the past 6 months. I have also released a new kit 8 days ago, designed a 6 brakewheel style sheet for my first etched brass project with the help of Tim Buehring, Built and traded away 2 Fire Lookout Towers, designed and made a page of SP GP35 decals for Joe D'Amato, Modified a Mogul Tender design and sent to Thomas Cipelle, Sent out some GP39-E mod kits, as well as pilot plow kits, and designed a new 60' Bulkhead Flatcar kit in the past 5 weeks. I have a hard time saying NO to people, because I always want to help, but I have found myself over-obligated again. I already turned down several people's request to install DCC Decoders because of lack of time. In fact, as far as my own modeling efforts are concerned, I have only DCC's 4 of my 10 GP's since September, and I have a box with 16 decoders on hand to do some of my locomotives. If only the earth's rotation would slow down to half speed, I might be able to really get something done in a day! -Robert
Before we kill Robert, Richmond Controls is offering a drop in LED headlight for use in AZL's C44s. No modification to the shell or chassis is required. The module is item EZ26-002 and retails for $32.00. Richmond is also working on a drop in for AZL's PA1s. They sound like they will create a module for any AZL locomotive if you are willing to send them one to be the test loco. Rob Kluz
Wow, I didn't know that. Jim really needs to do something about getting the word out. I'll probably buy one now just to eliminate this mess that was left inside my NS C40-9W, if it's correctable that is. Thank you, Rob. Bryan
Hello Rob Thank you very much for this information. I will contact this company for further informationen. And of course we all want that Robert has a very long life. serving us with lot of Z Goodies.
Hey Bryan, I think I know who did your conversion, and having watched that master at work, and the frustration and precision involved, I understand why he stopped installing them. It's good news that Rob has posted a drop-in lighting kit. I suspect that might get a few people off the fence to buy AZL who might have hesitated due to lack of lighting. Having watched a few of them run at the Tri-State Z Scaler's meeting--they are a so smooth and sweet.... Michael
Hi folks I've talked to Jim (Richmond controls) about the lightning and here is his answer. These modules are not presently in stock, and it will be several months before more are made. I have added lights above the windshield for the C44-9W, and have added lights to the PA1, but not the SD40 or SD45. If possible, please tell me the location of the headlight holes in the SD40 and SD45 (in the nose or above the windshield), the size of the holes (approximate inside diameter), the distance between the centers of the holes (metric measurements preferred), and whether or not there is some sort of plastic lens in those headlight holes. Thanks for your inquiry. Jim Hinds RICHMOND CONTROLS P. O. Box 1467 Richmond TX 77406-1467
More bad new about lightning the AZL Diesels. This is the answer from Michael Hillard: I'm sorry to say I'm no longer making lighting for AZL locomotives. It's just to much work and liability for to little $. I'd suggest inquiring to Jim Hinds of Richmond Controls ( www.richmondcontrols.com ) in TX, USA. Good luck with lighting your locomotives, they look so much better with lights. Regards, Michael Hilliard Wilton, CT USA
Yeah, Michael doesn't appear to be working on finishing up any crossing gate sets that were paid for over a year ago, either, or at least I haven't heard anything further. I sure hope those get done some day.
Why do this guys advertise in ztrack and when you want to order something it tooks forerver? Regards Jürg
Actually I just have to write instructions fo the GN caboose kit. It's ready to go. But the other news, and it's old news, is that I have dozens of kits almost ready to go! Yup! All designed, decals done, and ready for production... less one key item. Instructions. Kits drawn up and ready for me to write instructions: 36' Fishbelly Sidesill Radial Roof Boxcar 40' Truss Rod Radial Roof Boxcar 40' Truss Rod Ventilated Boxcar 36' Wood Flatcar 60' Bulkhead Flatcar 66' Diamond Window Centerbeam Flatcar 24' NP 1600 Series Caboose Kit #2 24' NP 1600 Series Caboose Kit #3 25' GN Wood Caboose ATSF Blind End Side Door Widowmaker Caboose 65' Mill Gondola 48,000 Gal Water Tower Fire Lookout Tower Stucco Tract Homes #1, #2, & #3 NP Standard Combination Depot Yard Office Speeder Shed Fuel Shed 90' Through Truss Bridge (like Kato N) Wood Grain Elevator #1 and #2 Horse Barn #1 and #2 NP W Class Shorty Tender with Doghouse 8000 Gallon Mogul Tender MTL GP35 Pilot Plow Conversion Kit MTL GP35 to GP30 Conversion Kit Father Nature Reefer to Old Time Stockcar Conversion Kit Father Nature Reefer to Old Time Boxcar Conversion Kit MTL 40' Flatcar Improved Bulkhead/Deck Conversion Kit Assorted Wooden Ladders Peel & Stick Wooden Windows for Miller Engineering Brass Commercial Buildings Miller Engineering Pitman Deli to Railroad Hotel Conversion Kit Miller Engineering K.C. Hardware to Office Suites Conversion Kit There's also about a dozen other projects that I drew up but never got around to cutting. But, I have a day job, well really it's a career in the emerging Laser Spike Anneal sector of semiconductor equipment manufacturing, and I just got promoted last week, which dumps more responsibilities on me. So, after I finish 2 more special projects I had taken on, Loren Snyder's A Frame Cabin kit, and Dan Stirpe's PRR M1A Tender Kit, I will write instructions for the GN 25' Caboose then I will pick one of the above projects to do next. -Robert
i hope you do the 60' bulkhead flat. i think people need these. good, common, modern, standard car for a variety of loads. my 2 cents. dave f.
Hmm, I think this needs a new thread all it's own. My choices in order of preference would be: A-frame cabin 65' mill gondola Stucco tract homes Horse barns GP35 Pilot GP35 to GP30 conversion grain elevators 60' bulkhead flat 66' diamond window centerbeam 36' Fishbelly Sidesill Radial Roof Boxcar Those are my top 10 choices (too hard to narrow it down further), but there are many others on the list I would buy (and maybe eventually assemble). Too many good choices. Randy
My favorites: ATSF Blind End Side Door Widowmaker Caboose 48,000 Gal Water Tower Fire Lookout Tower NP Standard Combination Depot Yard Office Speeder Shed Fuel Shed NP W Class Shorty Tender with Doghouse 8000 Gallon Mogul Tender Assorted Wooden Ladders Miller Engineering Pitman Deli to Railroad Hotel Conversion Kit Miller Engineering K.C. Hardware to Office Suites Conversion Kit Regards Jürg
Wow, Robert, that is quite a nice list! I hate those pesky day-jobs that do nothing but get in the way! Hmmm. My FIRST choice would be the bridge. That's something that is sorely lacking right now, and it should cover more than just one era. From there I prefer modern, but will patiently wait for anything people want to produce. I'm currently having trouble getting my own projects done - and I only have about 3 or 4! I couldn't imagine having that much on my plate right now! - Phil
