Joe, You've got us pegged. Put a keystone on a rollerskate, and we'll come up with a reason to but it. So, just remember, if you build it, we will buy. Dan S.
Stu, You da man ! I / we don't use the back EMF for several reasons: 1) just as you mention, most all manufacturers don't recommend it with small current motors, 2) not recommended by most manufacturers when used in a Consist (most of our make ups), 3) don't really need it on flat track as it was primarily designed for load changes, e.g. flat-to-grade (and vice versa). Pulling a given make up, the load changes minimally. Always trying to put too much in a product. Just give us motor and light controls, then ship so we can run trains !
Trucks Dom Yes they will. I am at the point where I have to decide wether or not to have a flange on the center axle. We noticed that Loren's SD70's had a difficult time getting around some of the turns on his TRex module. They work great on 195mm but when you go smaller you get some crabbing. This is not a design issue with AZL, just simple geometry, that center wheel becomes a disc brake on any 6 wheel arrangement wether we do it or AZL does it. I'm thinking now about doing a very shallow flange and a traction tire so we can pull as much as the SD70 does and not get caught up in the points or frogs!! Cheers Joe
Yessssssssss, thats what I want to hear. I knew Joe could do it. I think the middle axle is the most problematic with AZL's. Maybe we can do the same with my C44 and go flangeless.
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Don't know what happened on that previous post, too many thumbs I think. I think Flangeless and with a Traction Tire is the way to go. CP Rail is using some of their old beater SD40-2's as yard locos here. They are so beat up I think their ashamed to send them out on the mainline!!!
It's funny, when I saw my ZThek SW-1 was Flangeles and then my FR EY-3 was flangeless on some axles, at first I thought it would look wierd. Once I saw them both on track, boy was I wrong. I was happy to see how well both ran. Knowing the issues of wheels so tightly spaced on triple-axle trucks, I do hope the middle is flangeless so they can make those tight turns and not skip over the frogs! Michael
But many of us don't have that problem, not using Marklin sectional track or packing a lot of track on a 2x4 board. Our BAZ (SF Bay Area Z) modules conform to the Z-Bend standard but have chosen nothing less than 10" radius (250mm) with most 15" or more. We just ran numerous SD70's, C44's and an E8 for two days with out problems, including Loren's huge mountainous and tight curved end module. But for the mass market, flanges may be a viable option. It would be nice to have as an option though as it does provide that much better electrical pick up.
yes indeed! It would be OK if one had an option - flangless for "layout in the briefcase" brigade and flanges for those who try to model as prototypical as possible. Or a choice of traction tyre or not (I prefer electrical pickup on every single wheel and traction improved with tungsten body). Based on the past with MTL, it will be the usual "take it or leave it". Like it was with the switch of couplers to truck only version (because it works better on tight curves?)... so now I have to buy cars with truck couplers, buy body couplers and convert - I suppose there is some logic to this madness :angry: Chris
What about a little more side to side freedom of movement in the center axle? I agree with Jeff. We don't run locos or cars on radii that they are too big for, we build bigger so we can run them. Randy
I want to see more GP7 pic`s! While i am waiting for mine! Have anyone tried to weather it? improved it in some way? Maby the BLMA pack? How does it look side by side with the gp35?
Hi Matthew, the AZL GP7's are about $185 I think, and they really look great! The price is not bad for an AZL loco, and a lot less than most of the new Marklin locos.
I got mine yesterday and boy is it sweet!!!!!!!!!! It is so fine and detailed it makes the rest of my loco's look out of proportion. The F-7 looks like a brick next to it. Even the GP 35 looks thick. Now more than ever I'd love to see a new mech, for those MT steamers to get them a little lower to the ground so they don't look so large next to the GP 7.
My PRR GP7 is finally home safe and sound. Fired off a quick shot so folks can see her in all her glory. Have not run it yet.
Thank you--yes, this is from the layout. I posed the shot in the unfinished scenery of the river valley. Just threw in a few bits of greenery to give it a more finished look. This area will eventually be thickly verdant so the rock will not be as barren.
