I was surprised to see the pictures come out flipped, so I tried to go back and edit them to come out right. It clearly didn't help much, so that explains the reversed lettering. Never had this happen before. Must be an iPhone photo thing.
I told myself "No more spending on Z scale...no more spending on Z scale..." this makes it so hard not to, awwww crap.
David, detailing looks very good! Did you attach the MTL coupler to the AZL truck or is it body mounted?
The AZL couplers on this GP38 model (based on the GP30 chassis?) are permenantly attached, not removable like the SD70 couplers. Both of the AZL coupler shanks also have a molded on loop on the upper and lower halves so they can pull more weight without coming apart. So for the front detail (face and plow) I had to completely cut off the coupler pocket from the truck and body mount using the detailed face and coupler parts provided with the engine. For the rear I drilled a hole for the screw through the post molded into the AZL pocket and then trimmed the sides of the pocket about half way down to fit the MTL 905 where it is wider at the face than at the closed end. The MTL coupler sits on top of the trimmed AZL coupler floor secured with the screw. It is a very strong and reliable conversion.
Great detailing, as usual, Dave! BTW: please share some more pics of the locos you presented at the show. I know about the S2, SD9 and SD40T-2 but I never saw the finished locos
