The F7 stable is certainly growing, but not yet in my favorite prototype. But the Reading only had 18 A's and 7 B's so I'm not holding my breath for IM to paint them up in pullman green with a green stripe. SIGH!
At that price I'd nearly be tempted to buy a IM HO AC12. Then I'd buy a few more when released in N scale.........ooooops :zip:
I thought it was an announcement of the AC12 in N scale at first. :sad: Then... I figured... is IMRC ready to make the leap into the steam field in N scale???? If they are still having issues with the diesel products which are more simple... the steam ones 'could' have bigger issues. :zip: Well... on a more positive note: :angel: IMRC has made corrections to the shell on the F7B and now I'm more impressed with the running quality of the mechanisms since running my recently receive SP Black Widow units. So here are some questions about those interesting looking AT&SF BlueBonnets and YellowBonnets. 1) IMRC is issuing 4 numbers of each type... Did AT&SF have at least 4 numbers of each type? 2) Did AT&SF run BlueBonnets and YellowBonnets together? 3) Were BlueBonnets and YellowBonnets used concurrently with Warbonnets? 4) Were Bluebonnets or Yellowbonnets run typically in ABA or ABBA or ABBB consists? 5) What year(s) did the BlueBonnets and YellowBonnets show-up on the AT&SF and how long were they used before being repainted or retired? Maybe I should buy some AT&SF books?
"The Santa Fe Diesel Vol 1&2" are excellent books if you can get a hold of them. According to Volume 1 the blue and yellow bonnets existed from about 1972 to 1975 before they started to dissapear into the CF7 program (they don't fit into any era I model but who cares, I'll be getting some anyway). There are photos of six different A units in the bluebonnet scheme and at least four B units. "Santa Fe's Diesel Fleet" published in 1975 lists 7 A units and 17 B units in bluebonnet and says there were 14 325 class A units in the yellow bonnet scheme (with 7 different variations in the nose herald and stripes, it'll be interesting to see what IM does there), both books show photos of several B units in yellow bonnet. There are photos in these and other books in my collection of just about any combination of A and B units and colour schemes (warbonnet, blue bonnet, yellow bonnet, blue and yellow bonnet and the old blue freight colours) you could imagine, during this period they seemed to lash up whatever units where available, so you can mix and match em however you like.
AZL released a highly detailed AC12 Year and a half ago! Beautifully Crafted! Can't be denied! Beautiful!!!!! What do you think? Hobo Tim
What do I think? I think that Key has released N scale models of the various AC cab forwards of comparable quality over the past couple of decades as well. I think you can get a lot done in any scale if you're willing to spend the money. :cat:
More Photos of the AZL AC12 It is amazing what can be produced now a days! Want more info on this AC12? Go to http://www.ztrack.com/AZL/amerzlines.html scroll to the middle of the page! Awesome! Hobo Tim
Tim, I agree that locomotive is a fine looking model with very good craftmanship. However, I think that SP9811 was referring to a model available in N-scale not z scale
I certainly hope that the N Scale version... if it ever happens... will be about 1/3 the price of the Z scale unit. I have some Z scale... and I like the AC12... but... I really have a hard time justifying the prices for most Z scale motive power. AZL does a wonderful job with their models and probably deserves to get the amount they charge... I just hope that the pricing in N scale doesn't ever approach that of Z scale.
The Z AC-12 is nice but I think I will pass at $1800. That would cover every large N articulated loco I have with money to spare: Key H-8 2-6-6-6, RR BigBoy, RR Y-6, LL Y-3, and 2 Spectrum 2-6-6-2's. I'm glad N pricing hasn't come to that, even in brass. Back to the intermountain announcement, I thought the IM HO AC-12 was actually quite reasonably priced compared to recent large loco releases. If they could do that in N it would be a hit.
