American Z Line has announced for the month of May, DJJX 3564 gondolas. The gondolas are flat black with white and blue DJJ logo. A runner pack and single car has been released. The runner pack is item 90257-1. The road numbers are: 9922, 9923, 9926, 9927. The MSRP is $117.00. The single car is item 91257-1. The road number is 9928. The MSRP is $35.00. AZL has announced two all new Pacific Fruit Express freight sets. The first is it an AC12 cabforward set. The set comes with an AC12, 12 Pacific Fruit Express wood reefers and a red SP bay window caboose. The set is item 40101 and the MSRP is $2,115.00. The second set is a GS4 freight set. The GS4 is in the deskirted black version. The set also comes with 12 Pacific Fruit Express wood reefers and a red SP bay window caboose. The set is item 40102 and the MSRP is $1,515.00. The locomotives in both of these sets are brass. The cars are injection molded. The sets come packaged in a single box. The set is rated for 220mm. These are a limited edition release. As you may note, this is part 1. Stay tuned for part 2. We will have more information in the next two weeks. Rob Kluz
Thank you thank you thank you!!! This is perfect because I needed a few more AC12 and the steam era paint on the caboose is just what I was asking for! I still need a ton of those reefers. Soon?
Does this mean that you've used the left-over steamers to complete these sets or are these new steamers? Thom
Yes, the GS-4 and AC-12 are unused and from our inventory. We have a good idea what the brass runs should be in numbers, but our former supplier held us to higher numbers than we wanted, thus we were forced to put locomotives in storage. Current brass runs are significantly smaller and should be in inventory not more than 24 months.
Are the locos still available separately? I can't afford one right now, being unemployed, but I doubt I'll be able to afford a set if I find a job. Thom
Yes, the AC12 and GS4s are still available separately. The UP Challengers only come in a set. Also to answer a few questions we have received, the car numbers in these sets are different from each other, and different from those in the Challengers. Rob
Too bad you don't have GS3s in stock, as I'd be interested in that set. Hopefully Part II is Mike+PFEs. -James
Anyone purchase and run one of these sets? I may but wants to know if the engines can pull all the cars that come with the set. Also how do the engines run? GS4? AC 12? Do they run as nice as Marklin steamers or other brands? How is the quality of the finish and the quality of running? What track is best to run them on? I am new to this scale and want to know which Z brands are best? Are there brick and mortar dealers in the Northeast?
Welcome to Trianboard! I am the distributor for these products and know them very well. Yes, they can pull the cars that come in the set. In the right conditions, they will pull about 25 cars total. The conditions being level track and broad curves (220mm and above. Note these are rated at 195mm curves). Both the GS4 and AC12 run very well. It has hard to compare. Marklin steamers are nice runners, but poor pullers. They don't have the detail or complexity that AZL's steam locos have. The Tenshodo steamers are amazing runners and the drive rod detailing does comes closer to AZL detailing. But Tenshodos are light and will not pull too much. The GS4 was AZL's first brass steam release. The AC12 is a beautiful runner, but only has one set of drivers powered. This has been a point of contention for many. AZL compromised on powered the 2nd set of drivers in order to offer them at a better price. You may also want to look at AZL's Challengers. These new locos are amazing pullers. They still only have one set of drivers powered, but AZL went with traction tires to increase power puller. I have seen incredible video posted of these beasts in action. As for track, I have tested these locos on all track systems. They will work with any track system, but there may be some issues with the MTL turnouts. Again, the broader the curves, the better. As for picking one manufacturer over another, I can't recommend one. Z scale is fortunate that manufacturers in Z are pushing for high quality. The locos run great and cars are getting more detailed daily. I recommend you buy what you like, mix and match and have fun. What part of the NE are you located? Below is a photo I took a few years ago of one of our club members AC12 running on our Z Bend Track Modules. It is pulling over 25 mixed MTL and Full Throttle cars. We ran this consists for about two hours it was fabulous to watch. Rob
I am in New Jersey. Thank you for detail information and pics. Any other AZL owner have a story to share about pulling power and performance?
There are many videos showing the Challenger and other AZL power running long trains; Here is one of mine from last years Z-scale conventiion in Medford: http://youtu.be/bMU-Z_geIuQ
A quote from Rob above....... "The AC12 is a beautiful runner, but only has one set of drivers powered. This has been a point of contention for many. AZL compromised on powered the 2nd set of drivers in order to offer them at a better price." As far as I am concerned, this lack of pulling power for the AC12 is the ONLY point of contention. This is one absolutely beautiful locomotive and those who own one will attest to its beauty. If I were rich, I'd have one too just to place in a wall exhibit along with all the other AZL steam locos. AZL does not scrimp on detail one bit when they produce these beauties. The Z community is eagerly awaiting the light and heavy Mikado hopefully soon and for those attending NTS this July, word it that there will be a prototype sample of the Big Boy for us to drown in our combined drool........... Z has come so far since 2005 so now is a good time to go broke......uh, I mean invest in some beautiful motive power, both from AZL and MTL.
The brass locos pull well, comparable to other locos but, as they are larger (read 'longer'), they do run better on broader curves. Long trains will always be a 'drag' to pull in curves too. As Rob says, the Challenger has the addition of a traction tire to help drag more around. Big steam is AWESOME ! The upcoming Mikados will be all new generation and what should be signifcantly improved traction. If you are pulling MTL rolling stock with plastic wheels, replace them with Fox Valley Models metal wheels (drop right in ! ) and you will be able to pull another 50% or so longer train as the metal wheels roll sooooo much better than the plastic.
Is there any problem or only benefit to replacing the Microtrains plastic wheels? Where do you buy the fox valley? I learn from each of you each for your replies and opinion.
For metal wheel sets, I buy the Full Throttle Will's Wheels by Bowser. They are easily available from Anthony of Z Scale Monster. Please contact me directly, if you need the web-site link. techrepjapan@hotmail.com
