I just spent the last few hours looking at all the great posts. Amazing pics and great info. I have only been in Z for the past three months - having spent the last several years working in N. I have lots of questions (I am sure 90%+ have already been answered so I'll do my homework before firing away) and various topics I would like to get some feedback on. First, though, I want to dedicate my first post to thanking some great people that have really helped me get my feet wet starting out in Z... Rob Kluz - thanks so much for helping me get started out on the right track (no pun intended). Uncle Will - thanks for all the tips and advice on locos and rolling stock. I also want to thank you for all the time, effort, and money you are putting into the modern rolling stock! You keep making it, I'll keep buying it. Tim (TNT'Z) - thanks for all the info on the modern rolling stock, steering me towards new sources of locos and rolling stock, and all the other info you have provided as I get started out. Wayne (Rio Grande Hobby) - thanks for helping me quickly add to my rolling stock collection. Btw, you can find him at 4nscale.com. (D'oh - N scale...) It is great to find so many first class people who are eager to help those new to Z like myself. I can also tell by many of the posts from the Z members here that this board is full of a lot of great people. I know Z has a bright future with folks like this around. I am looking forward to being part of Z as it begins to really take off.
"Graves", you're going to like it here, there is a lot of inspiration. Now, can't help you with the time or money. Don't forget some of the other great discussion groups like Z Central Station or maybe your local area club(s) on some of Yahoo's Groups. Welcome aboard
Graves... Hello! I am glad to help! This is a great group of Z folks here on Trainboard. They never stop inspiring me. Rob
Graves, I think you'll enjoy your time here, and I can see that you have already been in contact with SOME of the ones that can help you the most. You have now taken the next big step. Post away, ask any questions you may have, and don't forget to SHOW US YOUR PICTURES! :teeth:
Thanks Kez. I am in the process of assembling my initial collection: 3 AZL NS SD70s (Sweet!) 8 PENN Hoppers (PennZee) 3 MIL Hoppers (PennZee) 5 Southern Hoppers (UW/FT) 5 TTX Gund (MTL) I'm working on building up my intermodal collection and figured I'd start buying up hoppers since my other plans for building a coal empire met up with the simple reality that modern rolling stock is hard to come by. My first hope was to get an AZL NS 70 and buy a "bunch" of NS hoppers. After a week into Z I quickly realized that my chances of winning a $300M Powerball drawing were better than building up a sizable NS hopper collection. Any hoppers are better than no hoppers I guess. Side note - I recently purchased an AZL UP SD70 and four UW/FT UP Covered Hoppers for a good friend in hopes of getting him excited about Z. Well, that worked - he received the "train" and went nuts. I think he's putting 99% of his O and S scale collections on eBay this weekend. LOL I told him to join this board so I'll let him tell you about his first impressions of his new UP train. As for pics - I'm waiting to assemble some questions about power and the new MTL turnouts and then I'll start working on my first Z layout. I was going to wait to get some AZL NS gons but I don't think they are coming out any time soon. D'OH! The bar has been set high by the members of this forum so I want to make sure my first pics are worthy of posting. Thanks again for the welcome!
Graves, dont let lack of proper running stock alter your plans. When I decided to model CSX, There was nothin to speak of. The only thing in CSX was SD40, and the CSX Penzee hopper, So I decided to repaint all avairlable running stock into CSX. Here is some my repaints.
Show off! LOL Seriously, that is great. Those intermodals are awesome. Fortunately NS pulls tons of TTX and I can still get my hands on some of the last MTL units released. Personally, I think CSX has the nicest scheme for their intermodals. Besides those, TTX and BNSF would have to be my favorites. As far as painting up some rolling stock - I had a long talk with Tim about the work he's done and told him I would have to get some old bachmann n scale to practice on. LOL. Thanks for the encouraging words. If you have more photos of your rolling stock let me know where I can view them. I would really like to check them out.
No problem Graves. Here is the link. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/3970 http://www.railimages.com/gallery/johnmui
Nice pics! I'd love to get one of the Amtrack sets. I would really like to see AZL come out with a Carolina set or one for the Boston to Washington NE corridor. I'm sure either would sell pretty quick.
Graves, the Carolina is very doable in Z. The F59PHI is sold as a seperate item, and use the Marklin Amtrack cars. Repaint of the engine is needed, but its not that hard.
Ok. I have to let you in on a little secret. I hijacked the coalporter shipment and sent it off to my secret pad printing factory at the North Pole where the entire run would be detailed for NS with individual road numbers! Let's see - that's 1000+ cars so I'll need seven more SD70s. I'll probably need more track too. If the printers hurry I should be able to get Santa (What can Red do for you?) to drop them off on the 24th, just in time for Christmas! I'll send pics.
The last thing I heard was that AZL is going to get Bowser to produce another run. I dont think they found the lost coal porter. Graves, the north pole sound like a nice place to put the coal porters, but what about the Christmas spirit of sharing? Instead of just NS, how about half NS and half CSX.
John, That would suit me just fine, since I model both. :shade: And if we're all very nice boys, and we write our proper letters to Santa, we may just get our wish.......... :angel:
Mr. Kez, I been such a good boy that I deserve a brass AZL, but as it right not, there is nothing new coming out that is worthy of a Christmas gift. MTL, nothing new until next year. AZL, Sgt SChulz Rob is not telling us anythig this days. So, for this year, I think of asking for a DCC set with six drop in decoders.
Don't be too quick to make that final list..........things are coming........ And don't forget about another 50' modern boxcar from MTL in December. Be patient. And save up your cash. Because it's all going out the window soon enough.
