Can't a guy sleep at night? :tb-wink: They are high quality resin copies. No air bubbles for me! :thumbs_up: Ok maybe a few micro bubbles but they are super easy to fill in the holes. They look wonderful and don't weigh much.
AZL Containers Hi Folks, Just a quick update from The AZL Design Bureau Main Office (A part of AZL Glalactic Headquarters) also known as my living room: We have decoration samples of our new containers. I have to admit, I went a little nuts on details. Some of these containers have over 15 colors of pad printing on them. I think they are looking pretty good, but judge for yourself - I've uploaded the end of one of our 53' Hope you guys like them! Best, -Rob(A) Janitor In Chief AZL
Rob, I cant really see what you are saying about the containers. You really need to send it to me so I can see it closely.
Rob, You should make sure these containers can handle shipping without losing any of the detail. Have John ship them to me in the Pacific NW after he examines them.
Rob, the container looks great, no doubt and the print details are great. Right what I like. But don't get me wrong: there is already a excelent 53' container available for a couple of years. Why re-invent the wheel? Yes, better printing than MZS/FR container, but how many more you think you can sell? Why not concentrating the (limited?) recources on something really new? I see somehow a pattern: PS-2cd, Coalporter and 3-bay ACF, all available for years prior to our releases and every z-maniac's demand is (in most cases?) already fulfilled (in my case I have enough of FR and EDmodel, but no AZL...), just the pocket money party is left over. Is this really viable with all the tooling and design work involved? Just curious?
Does 1/4th the price answer your question? It took me a year to buy 4 PS-2 4740s from FR and in 2 months I owned countless 4750s from AZL. Price sells! I like what AZL is doing!
But AZL wasn't the first to do this. Early 2000's FR had designed the 48' Gunderson Husky. Sold for between $85-115 each with containers A few years later MTL made the exact same 48' Husky with containers for almost 1/3-1/4 the FR price. I went from one to 44 Huskys. That was the start of Intermodal Tim. But, why didn't they make the 53' Husky or 48'/53' Husky AP's? And don't give me no BS answer about tight radius'. That is nothing but BS!!! Don't get me started with the Cute briefcase Z modelers!!! New company releases of already released rollingstock at 1/4-1/2 the original prices have definitely grown Z scale. But.............. Hobo Tim (typed using one finger on one hand)
Hah! No super glue, I was sitting in my Xterra close to the Hotel office to get Wi-Fi. Holding the laptop with one hand and typing with the other. Actually, one finger!!!! Had to hold the laptop at a certain angle as not to loose the signal. Sux living in a hotel, especially in the middle of No-Where!!!! Hobo Tim
That's a pretty impressive looking set of doors there, look forward to adding them to a scene! John Ztrains: Z Scale (1:220) Model Railroading Information
There now seams to be a plethora of containers out there for Z. From the very basic MTL to the detailed MCZ and AZL units. At some point there will be a saturation and some manufactures may be hurt in the long run. Instead of having several choices of 20's, 40's, and 53's, I'd like to see some different units. A company that makes a tanktainer that is reasonably priced.. and an open top and side container. This would add a variable to our trains and make them more interesting. With the open flat container- different loads could be used . Granted these containers are not as numerous but are still in the mainstream of intermodal operations.
Cost Recovery Fred, It has to do with cost recovery. A mold, according to Michael English at Bowser, starts at $20,000 and goes up quickly. Then you add the cost of production labor and plastic, then paint and decorating. Your requested items are needed, but I don't think they will ever be mass produced without a major loss of funds. Now, I promise you this, if I win a huge lottery, I will grow Z Intermodal without this fear, but until then it is onesies, twosies. Searails, Marklin and Stony for Tanktainers and scratchbuilding for the open top/flat with bulkheads. I do have the flat w/bulkhead on list for possible brass etch. Need to review my research!! Hobo Tim
Tim, Last time I'll crash this thread......promise. Eddie and any others, if you want that large tug, you have to contact me and I'll get Joe to make them for you. He won't without a final count of those wanted. Price is $20.00
Sample of SeaRails Tanktainers A while back, I obtained these tanktainers from Searails. They were painted a dark blue (the flash altered their appearance a bit). Due to decal issues, I believe Jim is only offering them undecorated now. I used a silver Sharpie to highlight the ladders, etc. They are resting on an MTL 60 foot flat car. Pat
Update on 40' MCZ/FR containers I hear that the containers are "on there way!" With the addition of these 40' containers, and the future paint schemes they have in the works, this line of containers will a most sought after item for the Intermodal Enthusiast. Intermodal operations have seen 20', 28', 40', 45', 48' and 53' containers, of various sizes and shapes. With the changing of the times, a majority of containers now seen on main lines are 40' and 53' containers with 20'er and maybe a 48'er here or there. I see UPS and other 28'ers riding on chassis trailers on 89' flats, but not in well cars. Where have all the 45' and 48' containers gone? It's the changing of the times!! Hobo Tim p.s. I am lucky as my current job has BNSF bringing in Bethgons on a daily basis to dump coal. What a sight to see!!! Rotary dump and all!!!! 50 miles away is the BNSF mainline full of Intermodal consists!!!!! Love'n it here!!!
