AMERICAN Z LINE October 2021 New Releases Part 2 TODAY Z SCALE CHANGED – THE SW1500s ARE HERE! Since the inception of Z scale, US modelers have asked the question, when will a true switcher be commercially available? Today is the day. AZL is excited to announce the immediate release of SW1500s. Produced by EMD between 1966 and 1974, a total of 808 SW1500 switchers were produced. Over 60 railroads ordered these locomotives including the majority of the class 1 railroads. The SW1500 was rated at 1,500hp. While chiefly a freight locomotive, the SW1500s would see limited passenger service as well on the commuter railroads. Through the years, the locomotive would be passed on to a number of railroads and short-lines. The design and reliability of these locomotives comes through when you consider large numbers are still in use today, nearly 55 years after they were first released. AZL has elected to offer the Southern Pacific as the first release. The SP operated 204 of the SW1500s. They were by far the largest fleet owner of SW1500s. AZL is offering three road numbers: 62702-1 SP EMD SW1500 2615 62702-2 SP EMD SW1500 2620 62702-3 SP EMD SW1500 2621 The SW1500s feature numerous prototype specific details, traction tires, blacken metal-wheels, innovative drive train and truck design, directional-controlled LEDs and AZL’s AutoLatchTM couplers. As a bonus, AZL’s Innovation Lab is including two adapters that allow the SW1500 to be retrofitted with Micro-TriainsTM 905 couplers. We have the instructions posted online at: https://www.americanzline.com/tech/documents/ Note: We are advising customers not to attempt to remove the shells of the SW1500s. Doing so may result in damage to the locomotive’s shells. See the American Z Line site for more information on these and other AZL products. http://www.americanzline.com Rob Kluz Ztrack Distribution
