If it is another switcher, that'll be good. Z needs more yard/industrial engines. Though I would also say it needs more non-EMD....
Transistion and 4 axle... Well, that narrows it down Something non-EMD would be nice, like an Alco RS1 or RS3. My money's on a GP7/9 though.
just thinking out loud ... if it were an RS1 or RS3, it wouldn't be impossible to bash an S2 switcher out of the parts. we'd get a 2 for 1, in that case. i still think they're going to remake/re-release the 50' modern ribside box. it's such a "fundamental" piece of rolling stock, and long requested. dave f.
Okay, if you don't want to wait for your Ztrack to arrive, keep reading. Otherwise stop here! MTL has announced in their new ad FMC 50' boxcars. These are plug door boxcars without roof-walks. They are more modern, and from what I can tell first entered service in the 1960s (I may be wrong on this). It looks like a good car to replace the ribside boxcar. Rob Kluz
Is the new MTL boxcar a replacement for the ribside or is it the ribside? I believe the Ribside we had before was an FMC car. And yes, FMC is Food Machinery Corporation. They used to be a major freight car builder. They even built tanks and APC's for the Army as Dan hinted at in his comment on the ordinance division. My guess on the motive power is either a GP7/9 or a GP30, since that is what Joe D. was polling us about a while back. MTL has Blomberg trucks already from the GP35 so it makes complete sense for them to do another Geep. An Alco or early GE would be great or even a FM (Fairbanks Morse) but I suspect they will use the parts they have at least until they are paid off. A GP38-2 or a GP40 would be great, but it is on a longer frame than the GP35. The GP30 is the same frame and the GP7 or 9 is only slightly shorter (somewhere etween 1 and 3 mm if I remember correctly). The MP15 that Joe D. was working on was his own personal project, not an MTL project, although it would be nice to see. I don't have any great sources, this is all just from stuff I've read here and on yahoo, but remember, Joe D. is the designer not the decision maker. If he made the decisions we would be in heaven. Randy
Rob, great news. Now that guy in the internet that is cornering the market on e-bait can keep all his overprice ribside boxcar. Maybe its there its a little sour grape for losing all those bids. I hope they dont come out with the GP7, because I think both will lose in the end., If they came out with a yard switcher, now that is something everyone could use in their layout. Maybe I need to visit Zthek, and order one those SW-1.
I was told they (MT) will release a GP-9 this year and are working on a SW1500 and plans may be in the works for a SD40. (could have ment GP40 instead of SD40 because he said you could convert it into a GP38) I might get a GP-9 if they do it. Erie had a bunch and I have 4 in N scale. They have to be one of the most made locomotives around in the prototype. I hope they can get the hood narrower than the GP-35. BTW does the new GP35 have the same trucks as the F-7? Just curious. [ March 08, 2006, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Chris333 ]
The side frames are the same, but I think the actual truck is little different. I dont have a F-7 to compare it with, but the F-7 need a wheel wiper to make it run more reliable.
Z's still a small market. I wouldn't think redundancy like that would help at this stage. I never understood why both Marklin and Micro-Trains made F7s and nothing else for a long time... You missed a manufacturer. A Baldwin Sharknose would be interesting , but we'll probably get another EMD.
LOL John, That's exactly what I first thought of whenever I read MTL's new ad! I'd like to have his zcale budget just to be able to afford all of those that he buys. I did manage to swipe a couple of the ones that I REALLY wanted, though. Of course, I payed quite a bit more than I should've too. - Phil
I'm going to go in another direction on the new diesel. While I would love an RS-3 or even a GP-9, I'm going to go backwards. I'm going to say it will be an EMD F3. I know I'm wrong, but, if they converted the GP35 works to fit an F3, then they could phase out the existing F7 works, but not make a "new" F7 yet. Then in a couple of years, they can see how silly it is to have two different power units on very similar cab units, and re-power the F7. The cab unit would be able to carry more weight, so it would improve traction, and provide a new, better running workhorse. It would also provide another transition era diesel. And, actually, one of the road numbers on their Tuscan Pennsy F7s actually belonged to an F3, anyway. Loke I said, I know I'm wrong, but I sort of like to look at things from different angles. Dan S.
It doesen't matter which new diesel type will be produced, it's just important that it will be released. Every new Z Loco will be appreciated! Regards Jürg
AZL's F59PHI is what got me into Z-Scale ... so I would have to agree with you. At this stage in the game ... anything is good. Not everyone will appreciate it but the more people that join this scale, the more that will be made repeating and repeating etc ... etc ...
I agree completely. Even if it's not something I can use, it's still nice to get a new loco in Z. A new switcher would be great, but also any variation on the GP35 - like gp40, 38, etc. Or just a totally new engine all together. It may not be my particular roadname or era, but I do enjoy looking at the pictures of others' work on their different roads and time periods. Keep 'em comin'!!
Hey Phil, our favorite bidder is winning in all 3 ribside boxcar, and a shell. What is the point when you know you can't win, but at least we know we are going to get our modern boxcar cheap! Now I am going on a tangent. I receive my Z-track yesterday. This is going to one of my favorite issues. The part on fixing the F59-phi was really helpful. I use it to lower the shell, and got rid of the shim on the coupler.
Welcome Dan! A little off topic but thanks for the FR Hoppers-they looked great this past weekend at the Tri-State Z Scalers meeting...I totally see why they are worth the money... Can't wait for some Waddells to suddenly appear!!! As for the PL&E, check out the enhanced photo I made; it's on the Yahoo Z Scale Group photo page.
HA-HAAA!! i just snagged a 50' ribside box in BN that "our favorite bidder" did not see! buy it now for $40 with free shipping! i think the man's trying to corner the market as a collector. sadly, with so little modern boxcars available, his actions only telegraph greed. well, at least there's one being delivered to an address that is NOT his! nice way to start the weekend. dave f.
Good grab David. I am happy to say that I have four of the ribside. One I pay $10, and the other three, I pay $90 with free shipping. I also have three waffle boxcars. With the introduction of the cover hoppers, and the centerbeam car, I am happy with my running stock. What I wish for is a tank car. I am even willing to pay FR prices for one.
