AZL New Releases from NZC

American Z Line showed off a number of new products during the National Z Convention. Let's start with GP38-2s. AZL released the 'Don Bouchard' SP GP38-2s during the show. Shipments to those who pre-ordered and were not at the convention will go out this week. Unfortunately, the BN 'Don Bouchard' GP38-2s did not arrive in time. We will be honoring prices and ship as they arrive.

AZL also showed off GP38-2s in ATSF, GT, UP, NS, CSX, CN, CP, SOO, MILW and BNSF. AZL will begin releasing these after the Don Bouchard special locos are sold out.

New SD70s have have been announced. These will have spartan cabs. Four road names have been announced. They are CN, IC, NS and Conrail.

AZL showed off samples of their 73' centerbeam cars. Roads included CRLE, TTZX, CHTT, SOO, and BNSF. There is some amazing printing on the inside end panels of these cars!

A UP light Mikado was on display. AZL is working to improve the front and trailing trucks a bit for better performance.

The heavy weight passenger cars were on display. These cars in are in the final stages of development.

RTTX 89' flats were on display as were the complete line of 2420 waffle gondolas and 60' beer cars. Also, all upcoming releases of the NSC well cars were shown.



Shown above is a number of different GP7 and GP9 shells. AZL is bringing these back. Note all of the different details on these shells! This is simply amazing to think about this kind of detailing on injection locomotives. Also, note the road names listed on the cabs. AZL also mentioned that these shells will have up to 7 different side panels!

Last, but not least, AZL slipped and mentioned that they will be bringing SD45s to Z in injection. These were released previously by AZL as a brass locomotive.

I think that is all!

Rob Kluz

ztrack wrote: Shown above is a number of different GP7 and GP9 shells.

Yes! Finally, someone in Z scale designing got their head out of their arse and created something that isn’t locked into one (usually wrong or compromised) design. What a way to make a basic shell go a long way for a company.

I’m seriously surprised it was AZL that came up with this though. Seems more like something someone a bit more innovative in today’s Z market would have come up with (I’m thinking Rokuhan here). It’s almost as if someone used a thought process and planned ahead!/?

Tell us, might this be the wave of the future – a company actually using its head for once, that is?

Joe

Joe, why are you surprised? This is nothing new for AZL. They have been leading they way with this kind of prototype specific detailing for some time. The first run of SD70s actually had 7 different shell/detail configurations. The first run of GP7s used three different shell configurations. The GP30 runs also featured different horn and fan configurations. What is fun about the above photo is it is the first time we can clearly show off a number of different versions. It is cool to see the differences! I love those torpedo tubes!

Rob

ztrack wrote: What is fun about the above photo is it is the first time we can clearly show off a number of different versions.

Not necessarily AZL, but how many times have we heard that a horn is wrong? Or that this model or that model shouldn’t have dynamic brakes, etc, etc, etc., ad infinitum.

What the above photo proves is that a company CAN actually plan ahead.

With that said, there can be no more excuses in the future from any company. We now know positively, that there’s are those with functioning brain cells in Z scale manufacturing!

[Oh and the "surprised it was AZL” remark was actually a veiled compliment. Somewhere else it may be tolerated, but one has to be “veiled” when they compliment AZL while on ZCS or hordes of AZL haters will arise out of the ZCS woodwork and shoot the complimenter down and into oblivion just for smiling in AZL’s direction! ]

So what you really are saying is that AZL ruined it for the other manufacturers.

AZL posted a number of photos of their new items on their new and improved website. Check them out at:

www.americanzline.com/azl-news/2012-convention-news/

Rob

Am I imagining things or is one of those GPS marked CB&Q?? And another one MP! There might be some hope yet.

Zcratchman_Joe wrote: [Somewhere else it may be tolerated, but one has to be “veiled” when they compliment AZL while on ZCS or hordes of AZL haters will arise out of the ZCS woodwork and shoot the complimenter down and into oblivion just for smiling in AZL’s direction!]

Okay, Joe... I'll bite. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and comments, without censorship (unlike other on-line forums that are overly “moderated” as not to hurt anyone’s feelings). The new releases will be great for the Z-world … provided they are truly RTR out of the box … as in, the buyer is not directed to make repairs on their own to get their newly purchased product running … as in, the manufacture provides actual customer support and service, without repeated excuses (it’s the postman’s fault) … as in, the manufacturer has the ability to provide spare parts for those owners that make mistakes and/or damage their locomotive.

I can go on, but I’m sure my comments will entice others to turn up the flames (towards me). My comments are not directed towards any single manufacture. But, when it comes to customer service and support… there have been clear differences. I am not a fan-boy of any manufacturer. And, I’m not really interested in hearing all of the excuses provided by any manufacturer about China production, loss of license rights and equipment, etc. Been there, done that… as I am heavily involved and experienced with all of it.

Ahhh the poor dead horse. Why are you still beating him?

Alex, I have already address your issues and concerns and the past. I have offered truths, explanations and insights only to be called a liar, and other slanderous names that I don't want to repeat. So no need to go back and repeat the exercise. There is no use. Your mind is made up and your opinions set.

I actually feel sorry for you. Look at Z scale. Look at our hobby. Look at all of the new products and releases we had in the past year and are yet to come. It is such an exciting time! But you will miss out by not giving products a chance. Your loss. But it is your hobby. Do what makes you happy. That is what is all about.

So if anyone has specific concerns that you would like me to address. I will do my best to answer them. I can tell everyone that the PCBs in the new GP38s are too spec. So we won't have the same issues as the GP30s. Yeah!!!!

Rob

Wait, wait, wait... to be fair, Mr. JA did not specifically pick on AZL here. Maybe there was very thinly veiled insinuendo, but he is right.

Anyone’s new releases would be great for the Z-world … provided (in no particular order):

1. The manufacturer has the ability to provide spare parts.
2. They’re RTR out of the box.
3. There are no excuses of loss of license rights and equipment, etc.
4. The buyer is not directed to make repairs.
5. There are no excuses on China production.
6. The manufacturer provides actual customer support and service.
7. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Mr. JA said his comments were not directed toward "any single manufacturer". And he stated he doesn’t kiss the butt of any one maker. Well, actually he said he’s not a fan-boy of any manufacturer. (But I personally think he’s a fanny of Rokuhan… but I digress.)

My point is that yes, it would be great if we didn’t hear excuses from ANY manufacturer on ANY product we buy… but why is it we hear excuses more in the Z world than elsewhere? Perchance it’s because we purchase A LOT of items from a limited number of manufacturers? I don’t know, but it does seem like we, as Z scale enthusiasts, hear an inordinate amount of excuses… no matter whom the manufacturer.

Rob... in this thread, no one called you a liar.

Alex, you are right, no one called me a liar in this thread. So want to look at some chat archives? The history is there. We know how this works. No need to pursue it.

Joe interesting comments. Here is why I think we see what we see. Those of us who represent companies are in the Z community. Let's face it, be it me or Joe, or even the owners of AZL, we are on the forums making our selves accessible to the Z community. We are not hiding in shadows ignoring problems or concerns. We are out there giving transparency. This issues arise when members of our community refuse to except the reasoning provided. Now look at other companies in Z. How many times to you see their reps or owners on the forums?

The fact is AZL, Ztrack and MTL stand out as companies that put themselves out there. We all take hits for it. We become easy targets because we are there trying. There are members of this community that enjoy attacking those who try. So we need to look past the negativity and accept that we all can do better.

But in my opinion, Z scalers are much better off than others. I think we may have gotten a bit spoiled. We truly don't have 'crappy' products. I have seen my fair share of true 'crappy' products in the other scales. We are verify fortunate that major companies in this scale do strive for quality and good performance. Every one has had a misstep. But as a whole, the body of work is impressive. We never hear about the successes. Let's get back to enjoying them.

So here is my stance. Support those who support the scale. They are the ones pushing the scale to new highs. Provide constructive criticism. Again, we all can do better. And most importantly, this is a hobby. Have fun. Too many are wrapped up in the silly politics and negativity. Get over it, and run trains. Again, this is a hobby. Let's get back to having fun and rejoicing what is coming.

So with that, let's all celebrate the excitement of what is happening. MTL's SW1500 announcement, planned SD54s, $100 GP38-2s, 90 degree crossings, new drop in decoders from Digitrx, InterMountain's 4-bay hoppers, TBS' kit line, Mikados, NZT's planned couplers and so on. With this kind of selection, how can anyone be negative towards this scale?? I know I can't!

Rob

I’ve got a birdfeeder outside my window. Many different types of small birds feed there happily throughout the day and few seeds hit the ground unopened. That is, until the Blue Jays come in. They’re greedy and only want one thing… the in-shell peanuts. In the process they send seeds everywhere, but they find their peanut quickly and quietly leave to go eat it. Then the red Cardinals move in. They want the Sunflower Kernels, the Safflower Seeds, the Dried Cranberries & Cherries and the hell with the world around them… other seeds go flying everywhere until they’ve had their fill. And then… come… the… squirrels - and all hell breaks loose!

Legend:

Small birds = small manufacturers that do their manufacturing in house peacefully taking their small cut day in and day out.

Blue Jays = American manufacturers that are in it for just one thing – the big peanut. They make one type of product. They make it well, and they never try to diversify into realms new to them.

Cardinals = Large manufacturers trying to save a buck and contracting to the Chinese, while the Chinese want IT ALL and the hell with how they do it.

Squirrels = The Chinese.

I think I’ve figured out what the main problem is in Z scale. The Chinese. It seems more problems can be attributed to them that anything else. And why? Profits! Sort of tells it all, doesn’t it. Profits over customers. But what the hell, it’s like that in any business in the US.

I call first for the Chickadee, yep that's me

Ben

I would call dibs on buzzards..but those are the dudes that snarf up everything and barf it out on epay or even other websites for 3 times the price.

Not picking on anyone here..I said 3X price

I think I’ll call the common sparrow. They’re the most prolific of all birdies around here, and if there’s one thing I like doing more than most anything else, it’s prolificing!