American Z Line SD70, SD70M, SD75M, SD75I

zfuture Apr 5, 2014

  1. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Great improvements and upgrades Rob, ('Robert) to confuse the Moo. AZL keeps getting better and better and I for one thank you.
     
  2. RobertAllbritton

    RobertAllbritton TrainBoard Member

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    When it looked like the SD70s were never going to be delivered, I wisely volunteered for the FBI witness protection program out of self preservation. I was sent to a log cabin filled with postage stamps in Idaho that the U.S. Government had recently acquired and told to "lie low" until either the coast was clear, or the Container had Cleared the Coast. Oddly enough they said my new identity would be "Robert" because "the Bad Guys arn't that smart", and apparently "Robert" is impossible to spell in Arabic without getting your tongue cut out (although "Rob" is frightfully easy and common.)

    Anyway, the process to get my old name back was unbelievably long and difficult, in spite of the Government Paperwork Reduction Act, and in the meantime, some guy named Kluz had robbed me of "Rob." He was last seen with a six pack of Bud Lite Lime screaming at the top of his lungs that "THERE'S ONLY ROOM FOR ONE ROB IN THIS COMPANY!!!" headed in the direction of an all night Star Wars movie festival wearing a poorly constructed wookie costume. I fear he may have tested one too many locomotives.

    So there it stands. I now have an extra syllable.

    ;)

    Best,
    -Robert
    AZL
     
  3. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    I don't know, I kinda liked RobA and RobK.

    markm
     
  4. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Robert Is taken already, but Bob is available.
     
  5. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    I always address him as Rob A. And thus it will remain in my book.
     
  6. eit27

    eit27 TrainBoard Member

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    And those that prefer the TCS decoders, please email or call them to express interest. I have been working with them on a drop-in 4 function board, they told me the more that ask for it, it will get pushed up the production line.
     
  7. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Now that I know the that traces replaced the clips, that will make it easy to modifty the board and use a TCS Z2 instead.

    I will be looking forward to the powered chassis, we will see what we can create on top of it for Nn3

    thanks
     
  8. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

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    I tried out an AZL IC SD70 that I just got. I do NOT have a decoder yet, so I was using a Zthek controller. Out of the box it would take upwards of 7 to 8 seconds to go the distance of ONE MTL tie. Without a decoder I can't check pulling power, but blocking it with my finger it seems pretty powerful. With a little run-in it should be pretty nice. I expect a decoder in about a week where I'll see how it handles a string of about 33 cars on one of my layout tracks - all steel wheels. Will let you know.

    ...don
     
  9. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    You have my curious piqued: would you be keeping the trucks? At first glance, it would seem that a three axle truck would defeat the prototype purpose for most narrow gauge railroads.

    Mark
     
  10. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    3 axle trucks have been used on narrow gauge railways for some time now starting in the 1950's when 2-8-2 steam was replaced by diesel with 3 axle trucks, just like on the standard gauge, and still being used in North America. White Pass and Yukon Railway GE Class 90(shovel nose) DL535 standard and comfort cab, the US Gypsum Plaster City Calif. DL535 wide comfort cab, plus many more outside of North America.
     
  11. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you Rob, excellent news! Having a few derelict paintschemes in my head, harvested here and there in railpictures.net, that will be useful for the sample I will purchase when available...;)


    Another question about the spare chassis to be released (another excellent news!): does this include GP38-2s? I have a pair of very first generation Rogue Locomotive Works samples whose running characteristics are ..... average, and it would be a good option for revitalizing them..

    Dom
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 22, 2014
  12. RobertAllbritton

    RobertAllbritton TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Dom,

    Spare chassis applies only to the SD70 series for now. If successful, we will expand it to more locomotive platforms in the future. On the other hand, the GP38-2 is pretty darn inexpensive, so I don't know if there will be a big price difference between a GP38-2 chassis, and a whole new locomotive.

    Best,
    -Robert(A)
    AZL
     
  13. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Robert,
    Do you know when parts will be ready to buy? I really need replacement trucks. Also would like to test the frame in a first gen SD70 I have.
     
  14. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    OK Rob, thank you for the reply. Let's stay tuned...

    Dom
     
  15. eit27

    eit27 TrainBoard Member

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    Does anyone know if there has been an update as how to install the Z2 boards in the SD70?
     
  16. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I don't think so.
     
  17. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Haven't heard a peep
     
  18. DSZ&N

    DSZ&N TrainBoard Member

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    If you can live without one of the LED's It can be done. The problem is the surface mounted leds have different commons to them so the wiring of z2 will only power 1 and only in one direction. The motor is not a problem but cutting the circuit board traces between the pads to isolate them isn't fun you will want a meter to check that the cut is clean. I did a pin out for the pads, will look for it and repost
     
  19. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I dcc my CSX SD70 with a Digitrax decoder, and its not a simple drop in. You have to take some solder off the pads to get it to fit. The Digitrax decoder has smd's and its much shorter then the AZL led, so the front lights looks off or very dim. Its barely noticeable. I installed longer optic fibers, but that requires the removal of the cab and the light bar.
     
  20. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

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    It sure isn't a simple drop in. As you say the whole forward lighting system is in the tank unless you do some serious work. I doubt Rob K would bring it up to specs, but he should since he is advertising "Drop In". I've also had speed issues as the "finished" installation runs very slowly.

    ...don
     

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