The Power that Be here... ) Hey, we got some cool stuff planned and as for parts, I can supply bits and pieces, but can only do so much when it comes to pricing and the like. I talked with Ben yesterday about the price of the shells and we are going to try and break things down a bit more on the cost. Frankly, so far, you and one or two others have asked for shells, we've gotten almost no orders or intrest in buying the shells alone. It's all about volume I guess. I agree, the price is high and I don't know why it is...but maybe I can get some movement down. I'd also be interested on what AZL charges for undecorated shells...not a dig at all, just wondering how much they will be selling GP9 shells, or even their SD70...any ideas. If I knew that I might be able to use it to lever something up front. Cheers Joe Brand X
NP GP9 Robert, I can confirm that the first GP9 will be NP along with a few others. I will know later this week what I can announce...no big secret, but just need to let Ben know I'm giving up the ghost. I can also confirm that one of the initial releases will be CN with the Sargent Stripes...this won't be the first month, but soon after I believe. Cheers Joe
Joe and Chriss, why do you think Robert is making all those kits for Rob. It is to pay for those NP Geeps. I say at least 6 or 7.
Actually that was the pile of cash I dropped on the table, after depleteing my secret e-trade account to fund these locos, and my new module carrier. (while my wife was on vacation a couple weeks ago, I bought a brand new Ford Ranger to economically haul my modules) :shade: I blew up the Thunderchicken!
Actually joe, there were many people wanting shells, but that discussion happened before you signed on to this trainboard forum. at $63 each i don't think anyone was interested in pursuing the matter. MTL has sold me some parts at a fair price (handrails, and window parts) .. but the long hood, and sill ... or whole shell ... have been prohibitive or not available. maybe some others would chime in and give you a better idea of their interest, if it were known that shells and parts could be had at a reduced cost. RE: AZL i hope they give parts too, and at a competitive price. with all their previous (expensive) stuff being brass i wouldn't have even considered asking! SD trucks at $60/pair is pretty high as well, but maybe there will be some movement to more available shells and parts now that plastic offerings are becoming the norm. i agree with you, it would be unfair to ask something of MTL and not expect the same consideration from AZL. on the other hand, those who help me to enjoy the hobby will be the ones who get my dollars and support. this is one of the necessary steps to moving Z scale forward, in my opinion, as the scale goes through the growing pains of becoming more available to modelers and not just "runners" and collectors (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with those -- it's just that i like being able to expand my possibilties due to the availability of parts). SD45s (AZL) are expensive and rare, but i want an SD45, so i'm going to kit-bash one with available parts and have it ready for the SD chassis from MTL when it is finally available. joe, thanks for all you do, and for your support of the Z scale end of the market. you are a reason for us all to hope for more and anticipate more years of enjoyment. dave f.
Joe, I think David speaks true. I'd love to get some GP35 shells, but $63USD a pop is too expensive for me. It's a catch 22, not much interest has been generated, hence the high price, but the low interest is probably a direct result of the high price, so it's a toss up. I love MTL, and once my layout is up and running, my motive power is most likely to be all MTL or a kitbash thereof. Kitbashing is still a necessity in Z if you want certain locos, and affordable parts are definitely one of the ways to get Z into the mainstream. I'd definitely get some shells if the price was lower, but right now I can't justify it, being on a limited budget, I'm sure that's how the majority of people feel. Regards, Dan MacKellar
Also, the "spare parts" only exsist if you know you can order them. Nothing on the website, nothing in the catalog (also other main items too) and only source of info is the sheet that comes with the loco and there are likely many that received the locos second hand (or lost the sheet). Not like you really want to sell volume spare parts but you certainly could likely sell more. I'd buy anothe pair of UP GP shells 'cause I've had them off and on so many times working on the DCC integrations that I'd like to start over with a drop in and revised lighting board design that works much better (after dozens of iterations resulting in CA stains or fogging, scraped, scratched or missing parts).
I called MTL, and try to order some springs and hand rails for GP35. I was told they were not in stock, and they didn't know when they will be avairlable. Joe is always very helpful, but I dont want to always bother him form parts. There must be a systematic way we can access the parts. I also know that some of this decisions are not in Joes hands, but I hope MTL sees the light. By the way Joe, have you taken those springs off? Those springs are design to be launch. I launch couple of them near my desk, and I have orders for my wife not to vacuum the area around my desk.
Springs When it came to design I paid attention to the American Auto Manufacturing Community, having springs insured a need for you guys to have to pay more money to keep them running! ) Kidding. We labored over different ways to get power up to the board and needed to keep good contact and allow for removal at the same time. The spring seemed the right solution. I suspect our normal coupler springs can be used as well. I've even "hot wired" them using some of the wire from Marklin switches. 30 gauge I think. I am addressing spares now, if anyone needs anything, contact me at work and I have enough spares and broken units to help out here and there. Cheers Joe MTL
yeah, i hope they get the handrails in soon, because i'm needing them too. i think they were out of sills (walkways) also. i tried to order a fuel tank, but they weren't priced yet. don't know if that's changed. it's good to have joe's input as it keeps us aware of both the challenges MTL faces as well as the possibilities. so ... how long before the GP9s are released? dave f.
Splat!!!! ... what will be left of me... after buying these. Just give me a chance to recover between the D&RGW release and the Espee release. I can see it now... D&RGW GP35 released concurrently with GP9. mg:
oh, i don't think i'd worry, grampa joe. it would seem highly unlikely to me that MTL would release two loco versions in the same road name concurrently or even back to back. they took a long time getting around to Rio Grande with F units, and i expect it will be a while before GP35's come in Rio Grande (if ever). GP9s, on the other hand, were classic motive power to some roads and the Grande was certainly one. still, i wouldn't be surprised if the Grande GP9 didn't happen for several months after initial release. NP will be the first, as we now know. SP will be early in the mix, and maybe Rio Grande might come in 4th or 5th. that's just my guess. SD40-2 will never see Rio Grande livery, as you and i know that the Grande only had tunnel motors in SD40-2 (T). the GP9 will be our last hurrah for a while. AZLs modern stuff won't be Rio Grande, unless it's the UP heritage unit -- and that will be a couple of years. relax, i think your pocket book will be ok for a couple of months anyway. dave f.
David, what I would like to know is how long will it take you to convert a SD40 into a DRG&W tunnel motor when its release. The over under is three weeks.
GP9 Hi Dave, Soon Grasshopper, soon... ) Getting permission to talk about that next week, but everything is done, I have a number of them running and will have them in Porland next week. Cheers Joe MTL
