I always see it as a sign of a good, detail-oriented manufacturer when they release several versions of the same engine. The GP35 would be a good candidate. Extremely widespread - but with some extra versions, it could do for almost any railroad. -Non-dynamic brakes, for NYC, PC (ex-NYC; ex-PRR have dynamics), SOO, CNW, RF&P, RI, Ann Arbor, N&W lownose, etc. -High nose, for Southern, N&W, NdeM, Guilford, etc. -AAR trade-in trucks, for GM&O, ICG, Ann Arbor, etc. But how much easier is making a variant of the same engine than an all-new engine? I don't believe the dynamic brake section or the nose are separate from the rest of the shell...
Triplex, we have modellers who have taken off the dynamic blakes, so it can be done. Maybe David or Adam can tell us how they did it. David also has modafied his geep with a AAR trucks. With the high nose it's goen to be a little harder. Joe from MTL has modafied a high nose geep, but he has unlimited shells. MTL wants $70 for a shell, so everything you want can be done. I really doubt that MTL will come out with new shells for the GP 35. At this point , I think MTL will do all new engines, because they will sell better then new variants of same engine.
You're right. If they haven't made these versions already, they probably never will. I just wish they were like Atlas in N, releasing different versions as a matter of course. It's more annoying when a manufacturer releases something very close to what you want than when they have nothing close. For example, I might bemoan the N scale market's lack of a DT-6-6-2000, but it's more annoying that Kato only produces mid-production SD40-2s! I've never understood why SD40-2s, being more numerous, aren't sold by nearly as many manufacturers as F-units. I'm not actually in Z. Just supporting the Z cause.
Triplex has a point.. I have lusted over a C415 in N scale for so long now, but since the engine would require such extensive kitbashing, I wan stomach waiting for one. But like the SD40-2's, or 'Deuces as I call them, it's very annoying that there are only 3 versions built, of which only 2 are proto for BN, another fav. road of mine. The snoot nose units are not proto for as many roads as a mid/late prod. Deuce would be with a standard nose. BN rostered 838 of the -2's, so as hot as they sell on auction sites, Kato would have a bombshell if they released a new phase Deuce. The whiteface units in BN they announced some time ago are a step in the right direction.
We all have ideas on what should sell, but it is usually what we want. The manufactures usually have to take into what it cost to make. The lesser amount of parts, means less amount they have to pay for assembly and mold cost. I have my SD40-2 From AZL. As far as I know, its the only CSX engine available in z scale.
The GP35 isn't my favorite prototype by a long shot. It would be easy to make the versions I described if they were designed like the AZL SD70 series, though. I just thought of the idea when I was looking at pictures of real GP35s and contemplating what roadnames MT might release. I'm still planning on N scale because there isn't enough product availability to satisfy me, an operator at heart rather than a scratchbuilder. However, I'm not likely to start my layout right now. And in a couple years, maybe there'll be enough available in Z for me to consider it. But somehow I doubt it. It would be nice, though, because I came up with a rough idea of the sort of layout I'd like to build. When I tried to draw it to scale, though, I realized my space was about 25% too small. There are any number of engines I'd love to see released in Z. But I won't even bother mentioning them, as they're often so uncommon that nobody's released them in N!
MTL actually said in their ad in the latest ZTrack magazine that they will be releasing another NEW locomotive late this year. Joe D. was looking for info on GP30's and GP7/9 late last year so that is my guess, but it is just that, a guess. By the way, many of the SOU GP35's had AAR trucks from trade-ins as well as the high nose. Some of them are still on the rails today in a DRGW-esque paint scheme on the W&LE. Randy
It all comes down to choices, compromises, and what it will make you happy. I am happy with with z scale. There are lot of things I want that is in n scale, but n scale doesn't give the abilitie to run long trains. I also want a yard big enought to hold my cars. A yard for twenty well cars takes a lot of space in z scale. It must be worse in other scales. Most of us just dont have that much space. My biggest wish to have in z scale is a GP40. almost all railroads have them. I wonder how long do I have to wait .
I got an idea. If you buy that 2 part puty from Micro Mark, the light blue and purple clay looking stuff that you mix by rolling it in your fingers to make a rubber mold, then make a molds of the 3 fans on the back of your AZL SD40-2. Now you can pour resin to make the 3 fans you need for your GP40. I think you can take impressions from all the parts you need from the SD40-2. -Robert
Thanks Robert. The Three fans is the main problem in the GP40 conversion. I was surfing the net, and I saw the BN SD60m. I notice it has the three window configuration. Its that the one you goen to model.
Yes, that's the one, the SD60M! Only that funny protuding ventelator just behind the cab on the fireman side is different. I'll probably carve something up to work. -Robert
I know MTL is releasing something new. The rumor mill also coughed up an NW2 and an MP15, so we'll see what actually happens. I knew that. I listed that the first time I wrote the message, but an error erased it and I had to write it again.
Eee-I, eee-I, ohhhh. A topic I can more than chime in on! First, you have Ann Arbor listed twice, and neglected to mention Henry Ford's road, the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton (my mom's home town, thank you very much!) Ann Arbor should just be listed on the Alco truck-equipped models. DT&I had no dynamic brakes. And that's what I've done to one of my (former) PRR GP35 shells... Removed the dynamic brakes... And added the bell in the side of the short nose... and replaced all the grab irons with brass wire... and the 48" fans with BLMA N scale 36" fans... speedometer cable... air line on left side of the fuel tank... replacing the brake cylinders... new pilots with MU holders and steps... windshield wipers... oh, did I mention I've added lift rings? So I'm doing just a little bit of work to turn the PRR GP35 into a non-DB DT&I geep. Photos are available on the Yahoo Z group in the Texas & Beyond folder. More to come, as I'm hoping to have it done by April 1. Removing the dynamic brake fans isn't that difficult. A #5 exacto blade (chisel) is needed, with a soft touch and some patience. Scrape easy, watch the other details, and make sure to keep your fingers out of the way of the knife. It should be said that some of the low-nose N&W units were former Nickel Plate geeps. Also, MRL and Katy ran the GP35 without DB. Once I finish the DT&I, and a matching MT caboose, and get cracking on another project, I'll be working on a high-nose Southern unit. Adam
Adam, we are not falling for that April 1 thing. Post your pictures here. We can see it more clearly. That is one of the main attribute Trainboard. Its little hard to see them at Yahoo, specially with such small details. [ March 22, 2006, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: shamoo737 ]
Uh, actually the NMRA Lone Star Region Division 3 Mini-Convention is April 1st. And the Texas & Beyond MRHS will be running our Z scale layout in the HO-scaler's house... I will be submitting the locomotive for judging and scoring as one of my three locomotives required for Master Model Railroader - Master Builder - Motive Power. I'm pretty sure this will be a first in that regard. Also, the photos on the Yahoo group are labeled and as clear as possible for the conditions and equipment I work with. Just choose the large version of the photo and you'll see what I've done. (Though I have drilled out the large fans for replacement). Adam
