We have not fixed the price yet nor have we decided which comes first being roadname or type of Mikado. The price will reflect that it is an injection product. We will have a tuned mechanism in a month or two. As for production I cannot give a specific time.
Any status on the release of the new Mikado? Will the quality control be better than the issues on the past lineup of AZL engines released?
Anyone else have thoughts on AZL engine quality and if Mikado will be improvement? I wish Microtrain would make steam engine. I have several Microtrain diesels that run good and happy with the quality.
AZL makes good quality stuff. The design for this Mikado is 'pulling power'. There is weight over the drivers, a traction tire, large motor in the tender and, all wheel electrical pick up. So, plan on lashing up some cars. Of course, we won't know for sure until we run it. Hopefully, we will be testing it in 6 weeks at the National Train show. .
Joe, AZL had an example of the Mikado at the show and reported that a revised unit was in the early stages of testing. They didn't seem to have enough data from the testing to feel comfortable with a schedule yet
Thanks, Markm. I appreciate the info. I was hoping they'd be on the way soon. At least they want to get it right and it is hard to complain about that!
I really like my revised Kato Mikado 2-8-2. Just recently got an undecorated one to double head with the first one. Everyone likes them. One is DCC and the other is waiting for a decoder install. Maybe I'll go with sound on one.
I have undec 2 Kato Mikes that I had converted to DCC/Sound, and they sound and run beautiful! I seen the AZL Mike this summer at the NTS, and it looks just as good for Z as the Kato Mike looks in N. I am eagerly awaiting these locos, and plan on doing sound, using a head end car to house it. Figure I'll drawbar to the tender. I want, I want, I want!
Robert can you tell me what decoder with sound you used and what sound files as I have a pair I would like to do as well. thanks Garth
I had Brinton Jones (Jonsey) convert my Mikes for me. He used Loksound Mini V3.5 decoders, and custom sound files he made up for a Heavy Mike on his programmer. He is in our N Scale club, (Tri-City Society of Model Engineers) and does everyone's sound decoders for us.
Hey just a friendly reminder to make sure you guys get tons of extra complete tender trucks with the pick-ups to sell separately. You will be able to sell these like hot cakes. Kato is always sold out of their N scale tender trucks. I will buy 4 or 5 pairs soon as I can. Please Please Please Make these available.