Upgrading the Brass E8 with new E8 chassis

DSZ&N Feb 1, 2015

  1. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    Hi every one,
    Just thought I'd post the upgrade to the old Brass E8's AZL made awhile back. If you own one of these you are the proud owner of a really pretty static model unless you are OK with the grinding sound they make in turns. But finally a new chassis with traction tire and LOTS of room.

    IMG_0580.jpg
    As you can see its almost a perfect fit. the angled stops on the top of the chassis are the perfect height. front to back has just enough room for 1-2 strips of Kapton tape. and side to side is off by maybe 2mm. That leaves some room to add something (not sure yet) that will hold the shell to the chassis. At first I was only going to use the TCS AZL4 decoder and call it done but with all the room up top it is begging for sound so that's what I'll do:teeth:. Planning on a ESU mico and 2 sugar cube speakers. only draw back is they will be mounted on the top.
    IMG_0577.jpg IMG_0578.jpg
    And here is our patent. The chassis in the front is the stock unit. the one in the middle "well" just made it in the picture and the one in the back is the final cut chassis. You'll also notice the circuit board is cut. turns out I didn't need anything on that part of the board. I wanted to use the board for easy maintenance and it has really nice pads to attch the decoder plus cutting the back section off isolated the track from the motor
    IMG_0579.jpg
    This is the final layout (with both speakers on the back). I needed to cut back more room for the decoder on the A unit to make room for the cab indentation the b unit will not be filed back as far.
     
  2. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Interresting. But in your opinion, is really the "old" shell worth the swap? Couldn't you obtain the same result using the new unit's shell?

    Dom
     
  3. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    Not 100% sure but I don't see why not. I'll check the fit tonight. Aside from some light tubes needing to be cut should fit fine. As far as being worth the swap, you bet. Mostly form the stand point that they have been on my shelf for so long just looking nice. Also I have the matching passenger set and can only hope the injection E8/9 will match the paint colors. In the end I was Happy to pay $160 ea to get my brass set running so smoothly and sound will be a nice touch. It was a VERY sore spot for me when I bought this set, we are talking about $4500 and it ran like crap didn't trust it to go around the layout once let alone bring to a show. sure I'm not the only one who felt this way so thought I'd post the swap. BTW any ideas to make it better are welcome.
     
  4. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    And for the record, Dave's SP set are E7s, not E8s. :)

    Rob
     
  5. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    :uhoh:Ouch, my bad had E8's on the brain
     
  6. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Nice upgrade! I wonder if the SD45's mech will fit the brass shell? Hmmm!
     
  7. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    We will see,I have an SP unit waiting for the release.
     
  8. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I know how you feel David, I have a love hate relationship with AZL brass. They can be so pretty, and you love the weight of real metal, but the can be shelf queens. I used to have a smooth running C44, and I send it for decoder installation, and the installer never return it. I miss it a lot.
     
  9. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    Don't be shy to name and the installer. My C44 is a smooth runner too.
     
  10. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    OK, I understand. Makes sense about paintscheme. And running caracteristics as well. I was wondering because I have a brass SP Daylight E8 that runs wonderfully smoothly, as well as a SP Daylight PA1. Maybe my best running brass diesels...





    Rather true. Almost all my C44-9s, SD40-2s, Tunnel Motors and SD45s are fine runners but sensitive to bad contacts leading to stalls. And my lone F45 runs like a crap...





    Yeah, definitly. Our leasure needs to get rid of black sheep...




    Dom
     
  11. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    Quick update. Got the sound all hooked up and put it on the track and the first thing I hear is steam being released :eek:hboy:. I was wondering where that decoder for the big boy went CRAP:angry:. So back to the store waiting for the new chips hope to have them by Wed. So lets put sound aside I happen to have a handful of the TCS AZL4 decoders. They are drop in but they are skinny and have some side to side slop. just make sure they are centered.
    IMG_0607.jpg Looks good, happy with coupler spacing and height of the shells. I kept the plastic cover for the bottom just filed it down a little to help keep the brass shell tight and centered. I can't tell how happy I am with this switch the new E8 chassis is fantastic. It is very quite and has a reasonable top end. It has enough weight to keep the traction tires from slipping and pulls like a tank. I was able to pull 16 brass daylight cars with no problem. As soon as I put couplers on the other 4 cars 20 will not be a problem.
    IMG_0608.JPG

    Not sure how to post video but will try
     
  12. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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  13. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

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    I counted 18 cars behind the loco.....the E8 is the only powered unit, right?
     
  14. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    Nope b-units are powered and its pulling 16 brass cars I still need to add couplers to the remaining 4. The brass cars are tanks The daylight GS4 can only pull 4-5 of them here is just the A-unit pulling all 16 but the motor is slowing down not wheel slip just too much for the motor.

    View attachment IMG_0612.MOV
     
  15. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Good job Dave. I am glad I don't model SP. Those brass cars are expensive.
     
  16. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    Nice train, I guess one of the most expensive ones you can run in Z. Even you have a good outcome at the end it's a pity that such nice locos run out of the box like a dog. Really like the E7 look...makes me think about a conversion kit for the AZL E8....
     
  17. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    NICE!!! The conversion worked perfectly!
     
  18. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    Ok so finally got it all done just in time for the show at Del Mar. Here is a video

    https://vimeo.com/120131118

    Really happy with it only problem I had was I set the sound too low and the articulated cars worked great side to side but the modules created a bit of a camelback the cars didn't like but nothing a file didn't take care of. I only ran 18 cars the other cars would have been doubles.
     

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