The comparison

I can't help but see the humor in this thread. 3 years ago the choices were expensive brass or messing with MTL or Marklin F7's...and now we are using optical comparitors to size the rivits. :O) OYE...But we do have a choice now and that's all that's important. My greatest gratification is seeing all the conversions done on our 35 and soon, the 9. That tells me the price is right and doesn't inhibit the converters/scratchbuilders out there. Seeing the GP-30/39's and the obvious GP9 to the 10-11 and others...even the obligatory SD9 and some of the other stuff Dave has produced out of his Z Scale Chop Shop in Colorado is cool. Even HOBO TIM is talking converting the GP9 to a torpedo Boat...I Feel Faint!

Cheers

Joe

 

As for the AZL paint question. I wonder if they paint their brass models differently or perhaps bake the paint on them.

In MT's defense, their stuff is very easy to strip.
Thanks.

 

I don't have any AZL, but you can see the rivets pretty clearly in these photos. Doesn't that mean then the AZL rivets are really way too large? Does anyone have a set of electronic calipers and an AZL to measure the size. If you really can "see" them I would think they are a couple of non-prototypical inches in diameter. I think it is funny that there is fly-speck comparison between AZL and MTL and then folks are running out in their Speedo's to buy Hallmark Christmas ornaments and thinking they are the "nuts". No wonder Joe goes berserk trying to satisfy everyone.

...don

 

THAT is the funniest thing i've read in months! "running out in their speedos" ... LOL
dave f.

 

Dave, If I ran out in my Speedo, I'd get arrested for causing a riot.
Loren

 

I remember Robbman saying many times when designing a model you have to make the rivets over sized just so people will see them. I'm sure there is some sort of sweet spot.

 

And for a long time, rivets where actually laser holes, not external bumps.

 

stripping an AZL GP-7

Yeppie yeppie, I have stripped an AZL geep. Relax folks it ain't nothing like stripping the brass diesels. In my case I stripped it in about a hour
or less. Faster if you use a heat source close. (a 200 watt light bulb).
I used my old favorite pinesol, cheap, but works very well.
AZL employs a very strong plastic that is very resistant to corrosion.
I know this for a fact, because I left a SD70 in pinesol for a long time
to be stripped. After I took the old toothbrush and brushed it,then rinsed it, the plastic was as good as new with nary a sign of meltdown.

The paint used on the GP7 is by no means the same as that used on the brass loco's. So go ahead with your repaint projects. Have no fear.
When I stripped my U.P. geep The paint came off in sheets.

Comparison wise betwween MTL and AZL, I would have to go with the
AZL, judging from the photos. Look at the fans folks, those fans
look more detailed don't they.

Anyway I have yet to pick-up my MTL GP-9 from my local hobby shop.

 

Well, here's the next "poll." Do you want fine detail and be properly sized and maybe have a little trouble seeing it - or do you want big bold do-dads that are visible but way out of scale. I vote for MTL.

...don

 

Friends, the MTL GP9 compared to the AZL GP7 is something like a "big Mama" compared to "Paris Hilton".

 

In my opinion, Big Mama Thornton was a far greater artist than Paris Hilton.....:embarassed:

Dom

 

The hood width of the MT doesn't bother me too much, but the walkways overhanging the trucks do. I wonder if the walkways could be compressed so that the overall locomotive width is the same and closer to scale? Would cutting the walkway piece in half and removing some plastic from the pilots and filing the inside of the walkways to allow it to slip over the frame work?

 

MTL GP9 vs AZL GP7

I figured it was about time I spoke up about our GP9 compared to AZL's GP7. Yes, it is wider than prototypical, but that was so we could mold the complete shell and fit the 8mm motor, keeping the price down. As for the level of detail, how can anyone say that AZL's oversized details (what I like to call "Boiler Plate") compare to our finely cut rivets and detail. Look into the fan housings on top and you can see the individual fan blades, tell me who else can do this in Z scale. Maybe I'm prejudice toward the GP9 since I designed it, but I pride myself in the level of detail we are able to put into our products. Just wait for the next one, the SD40-2.

Steve

 

Uh-Oh...remember what Admiral Yamamoto said after the launch against Pearl Harbor "We've woken a sleeping giant"... Steve is pretty sensitive about his work. Someone get some Animal Crackers quick!!!!

Joe )

 

To me, the AZL GP7 looks better than my GP35. While the rivets and body width do not really bother me, the walkway overhang is a little troubling. My biggest bug-bear are the headlights (fixed in the GP9) and the non-enclosed pilots. Both of these can be fixed with a little work, though; and we have heard that the SD40-2 will have ton of detail!

Where the MTL shines is in its slow speed performance- They are just stellar. My AZL GP7 sputters a bit unless the track is really clean, but the MTLs just keep chugging. The truck pick-up in the AZL GP7s is not as good. I honestly do not know why Ajin is allowed to get away with its inferior track pick-up system of blunt axles in slots. Needle-point axles in pick-up cups are the only way to go....

As an aside, my AZL F59 is the best running loco I own.

Just my two-penny bit....

Ajay

 

running

Yea Ajay that AZL F59 is a GREAT runner, way too new for my theme, but it's nice to have something that runs that good around. Wonder if anyone would get mad if I painted it up in Blackwidow and used it as a Heritage Loco?? )

Joe