Rob, ask Ajin to make it run at the same speed as the SD70, because I dont want to Run the SD70 with another SD70. I need some variety in my consist.
I don't know John. I would rather see the GP7 matched in speed with other AZL brass or with the MTL GP35's and F7's since that is logically what they would run with. Seeing a GP7/9 MU'ed with an SD70M would be a pretty rare sight (that's a challenge for someone to dig up a photo and prove me wrong). The SD70M's are great runners, but I am a little frustrated by not being able to MU them with anything other than other SD70M's/SD75I's. Not even other AZL locos in brass. This is my only complaint with them. Randy
But aren't GP35s not speed-matched with F7s? I haven't seen exactly that, but I once saw a picture of some rebuilt GP7/9 (a GP16 maybe?) with a modern EMD (SD70ACe? SD90MAC?). EDIT: It was a GP10 with an SD70ACe, between a GP38-2 and an AC4400CW. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=106853 Not a typical consist for 2005.
Randy, When ever you think is not prototypical, you will find a picture of it. I see SD40's mu with F40s. A CXS intermodal with 2 Tropicana reefers in the front. A solid line of tank cars with 2 box cars in between. I dont see why would azl come out with only one engine that runs at different speed then the other. If they release the GP9 that runs at MTL speed, then they are saying the SD70 is a mistake. You have to run a family of engines at the same speed. My last point is their is a need to mu the SD70 with the other engines without DCC. I have been given this some though. While trying to clean up my engine. I really mess up on one of my maintenance of a GP35. After that the GP35 ran at SD70 speed. Fortunatly, I was able to get it straigh it up. The problem is I dont know if its something that can be duplicated. I also have a theory that by removing the Traction tires, thet SD70 will run faster, because the tire is not stuck to rail so much, and it can spin more freely. To mu them together will require the slowing down of the GP35, and the speed up of the SD70.
John ... while you are correct ... you can be sure to see pretty much anything mu'd together ... I still think that it would be better to have contemperaneous locomotives run at the same speed. the potential for increased sales would be better ... and just because one runs slower doesn't mean it is a mistake ... just different. If MTL was going to come out with their own 21st century diesel ... I'd ask them to make it match the AZL engines as that is more likely to be seen than an antique connected between some new motors.
Gordon, just because a engine is slow is not a mistake, but if it is the only one, then it is. I know they traded some of the speed for pulling power, but if AZL tells me that the SD70 is the only one that will run at that speed, then I might scale down how many SD70s I buy. Right now, the only way to match their speed is going DCC, and I am not doing DCC until they come out with drop in decoder.
From the extremely lo res photos I seen posted on Yahoo, the shells are RP plastic. If that is the case, I don't want to wait, I want a shell right now! I will figure out the handrails later!
That's what the RP stands for! That is what the RP stands for in Acrylic RP! "Rapid Prototyping" It is the quickest way, not necessarily the cheapest, in making a model of your product to insure it will work! It is my guess that the shell brought to the NTS was one of such shells. I doubt very seriously that MTL would sell the GP9 with an Acrylic RP shell! Too Fragile! Then again, as fragile as the new 2 bay PS2 is, they would go together! Hobo Tim
Mr Ray, if you want the full size (3MP) photo of the shell just send me an e-mail @ john.c.pini @ gmail . com
Yes, Joe D'Amato confirmed at the Capitol Connection Z meet that the the GP9 shell was an RP acrylic prototype. Randy
That's what I thought until I saw this picture! OK, it's not exactly a GP9, it should be a GP20, but's really the mix between the new and the old!... http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=149917 Dominique
Hey John, You can post the photo right in the messages here on Trainboard! Good to see my fellow LIRR Keystoner. Michael
What I think is cool about this photo is the CN unit in middle of all the BNSF equipment. This would make a great consist if AZL would ever come out with BNSF and ATSF SD70s to go with their CN SD75i. Rob
Rob! I'm very surprised of your wonders! I believe that as of one of the Z-scale masters you shouldn't have any concern with this!:sun: Indeed I believe AZL and Hans have in their minds A LOT of samples for the close future. Thus I mean a lot of companies! Myself I'm waiting for ATSF / BNSF warbonnet units, BN samples and SP releases! I don't know when all of this stuff is released but I don't worry!:sun: Dominique
