Alright!! :teeth: Perfect for my GN, and I could use some of those winterization hatches for my F-units!!
I've still a little concern about Z scale manufacturers competiting with overall quite the same products in the still narrow Z scale market. The last thing I'd want should be seeing AZL and MTL biting each other. Rivet counters will say each loco will be completely different from the other, in my opinion both will be first generation Geeps. BTW, as I'm in modern era, I will need only one of them for a private spur, and I will go towards the first manufacturer that releases an undecorated sample, provided I don't care it's a GP7 or a GP9. Dominique
I am so glad you guys like the photo. It really impressed me the first time I saw it. Ajin and AZL sure know how to design a loco. As for roadnames, I can't divulge these at this time. I can say that six are planned in the first series. Some of you are going to be very happy. Ummm... sorry Erie is not one (head hanging low). Also, I don't think an undec is planned. Pine Sol anyone? As for competition, yes it is unfortunate that AZL and MTL are coming out with near identical locos at the same time. But, it does make sense. The GP7/9 are very popular locos and can be offered in near limitless roadnames and versions. The market is big enough for both manufacturers. I fully support both and will be purchasing samples from each company. Rob
will GP7s run with GP35s? i think that is the nagging question. we know the MTL GP9 will be a prefect compliment for the GP35s. that's becomes especially important to small layout modelers, because we don't have a Z scale empire, so what locos we do have will probably be working together. AZLs latest offerings (SD70s) have a very different speed range than MTL GPs, so i will be wanting to know if the new GP7 will be new AZL (SD70) compatible (there's and era stretch for you) or MTL GP35 compatible. it will make a difference. i'd like to buy a GP7, but not if i have to run it alone all the time. dave f.
I agree with Dave about the speed matching. I have not gone out and bought more SD70M's yet, because without tweaking they won't run together with anything else out in Z scale. This past weekend I did see an SD70M running after having had the Ray method (Robert's tweaking steps) performed on it and it looks like it will now run with GP35's and other AZL brass units. It would make sense if the GP7 and/or GP9's to be released would run with the GP35's as that was common in the prototype world. I just hope these have benefitted from what was learned with the SD70M. I also want to do a rebuilt chopped nose at some point and that railing doesn't look like it will be easy to get off without messing up. AZL's are not built with kitbashing in mind. The SD70M's directions even recommend not to take it apart. At least with all the parts options that look like they will be available, many of us won't have to kitbash to get what we want. Has anyone tried stripping an SD70M or an F59PHI yet? Will pine-sol or ELO work or are these going to be like the Dash 9 that took 12 months or more with every chemical under the sun tried? I doubt that even MTL will do an undecorated GP9 this time around since the undec GP35's did not do well (I've got one on my Christmas list though) ;-) . Eventually, I will want to do chop nose versions, NS road slugs with the DB, yard slugs, UP booster units, GP20's, CF7's the list goes on. Dummies would be nice to have, though I doubt we will see them soon, if ever, since they would cut in to sales of the powered units. The photos of AZL's GP7 look great! I'm sure it will run well, too. I will get both the AZL GP7 and the MTL GP9. How many of each I get will depend greatly on pricing and performance charteristics. I think both AZL's GP7 and MTL's GP9 will be greatly welcomed additions to Z scale. After all, I think when you put these two types together, they were produced in greater numbers in the prototype world than any other locomotives out there. I think there are still more rebuilt GP9's running out there than GP35's. Heck, there may even be more rebuilt GP9's than there ever were GP35's (complete speculation). Randy
Great looking loco Mr K., can't wait to get some. Now comes the NEW inevitable question: Which wheel gauge will it have: a) Similar to the SD70m or b) Similar to the MTL GP35?
I never thought in a million years they would do Erie, but I'm a little bit disappointed there will be no un-decorateds. Especially since people seem to have trouble stripping AZL locomotives. I probably won't modify mine much, but sounds like a few others have plans to bring out the knives and it would be nice to have un-decorated. Oh well hope I can strip em.
Randy spoke every word i was thinking. I to will want one from both AZL and MTL, but as with you the cost will determine which i buy multiple of to consist in DCC. The present situation at hand describes it well; i recently purchased both a GP35 and a SD70. from the running charitaristics and the cost perspective; i am planning two more Geep's (undecorated also, so i can do them in DRGW) and no more SD70's (they are out of my era, but i had to have one). with the eventual problems in DCC, it also pushes me to more of the lesser expensive units than the others, so melt downs won't feel so bad. Anyway, as i said, i can't wait for both MTL and AZL to get the show on the road, and it realy matters little to me who is first, as i want them both. Tony B.. VGgB
OK.. I don`t know.. I have only found pictures of a SSW gp7.. But if it is the bloody nose sheme i prefer to do it myselfe ( i love repainting)
Can you say chop nose? http://www.alaskarails.org/railfanpage/pnw/2203.jpg Or maybe this: http://www.alaskarails.org/railfanpage/pnw/2278.jpg Randy
Some of the MRL Chop Nose units were modified from high nose NP units, and still had the winterization hatches like the unit in the photo. If I remember right it was low numbers like MRL 220.
Here's another one for John and Tim. Great Walton Rail in GA. http://peachstaterails.railfan.net/Gallery/GreatWalton/grwr6400_socialcirclega_101300_c.jpg http://peachstaterails.railfan.net/Features/features_0501.html I'm a Chessie fan (note, not CSX), but this thing is ugly. Randy
