MTL GP35 sideframe spacers

[Sokramiketes]

The wide bodies on the MTL GP35's have been bothering me since they came out... MTL didn't widen the trucks to match, so it looks like it's on rollerskates...  I finally tried slicing off the sideframes and installing .040" spacers to see if it would help.





As long as the layout is at eye level, this might be acceptable. 

[DKS]

What an interesting idea...

Now you've got M-T trucks that are about as wide as the AZLs.

[Sokramiketes]

Now you've got M-T trucks that are about as wide as the AZLs.

Z scale really is a mess, isn't it?

[tom mann]

The idea of an eye level layout is interesting.  A lot of these "funny" z scale "problems" would go away.

[bambuko]

The idea of an eye level layout is interesting. . .

all layouts would benefit from that, regardless of scale  ;D, after all we don't watch full size railways from the helicopter ???  ;D
I like this idea:
http://www.worldrailfans.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9869

[tom mann]

http://www.worldrailfans.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9869

wow, just how many model train forums are there in this world?

[bambuko]

. . .wow, just how many model train forums are there in this world?

well, the answer depends on how many languages you know  ;D

[BNSF Dash 9]

Great idea! I did this mod on my GP35s as well. The only difference is I removed the outter shoes since the units I model (BNSF, Santa Fe, BN) don't have them. They look a bit funkier then yours since you can see into them where the shoes are missing. Oh well. You win some and then you loose some.

I asked MTL about their SD40-2 and if they fixed this. No reply... I wonder. 

[Sokramiketes]

Great idea! I did this mod on my GP35s as well. The only difference is I removed the outter shoes since the units I model (BNSF, Santa Fe, BN) don't have them. They look a bit funkier then yours since you can see into them where the shoes are missing. Oh well. You win some and then you loose some.

I asked MTL about their SD40-2 and if they fixed this. No reply... I wonder. 

Since MTL is off in their own little land of dimensions, I don't understand why they didn't just pick a new ratio for Z scale, like one they could actually manufacture models in...  I mean, if you can't make models to 1:220, why not just pick 1:200?  At least they could shoot for better proportions that way.

[BNSF Dash 9]

Tell me about it. What is worse is others following in their footsteps like Searails making their bodies fit the oversized MTL frame.

The RS-2's long hood is shorter in height then a GP35 by a bunch, so to get a RS body to fit a MTL frame well you do the math, OH MY! We will see what happens next. 

With AZL turning their brass line into plastic. AZL SD40-2 are only a few years away!  ;D I'm saving up for C44-9W and AC4400CTE!!!

[Robbman]

Since MTL is off in their own little land of dimensions

I had to laugh when Joe said the AZL GP30 fan spacing looked perfect to him...

[Sokramiketes]

Since MTL is off in their own little land of dimensions

I had to laugh when Joe said the AZL GP30 fan spacing looked perfect to him...

My wife hangs pictures crooked all the time and thinks they look fine too.  Some people just haven't had their eye trained properly.  Difference is though, my wife is an accountant, she doesn't need it.  Product development though?  Seems kinda important...

[Robbman]

What make sit particularly funny is that if you comapre that AZL GP30 fan spacing to the MT GP35 fan spacing...

I caught some flak in PMs for pointing that GP30 issue out... OFW.

[ztrack]

Hey you shouldn't have received flaq for pointing out the GP30 fan spacing. You guys were dead on correct! AZL has already gone back to Sanda Kan and told them to correct the fans. Interesting story on the fans. AZL provided Sanda Kan with accurate drawings. But Sanda Kan used a drawing from I believe a book from Kalmbach that has drawing of the GP30. In the book, the fan placement is incorrect.

One thing that is important to note is that AZL has been able to correct quite a few of errors by placing preproduction items on the forums. For instance, the wrong paint job on the NS SD70M and the reduction of the size of the end details on the ACF 3-Bays. I know that they may not be able to correct every issue, or their may be a few items that are missed, but overall, it has been a real positive for AZL to post these photos.

I really respect the approach of AZL which is to try and offer prototype specific details on injection molded equipment. It is definitely a challenge, but I think they are really pushing Z scale quality and detail to new limits. So from my point of view, thank you for your comments. They are very valuable and helping make these products even better.

Rob

[Sokramiketes]

The only difference is I removed the outter shoes since the units I model (BNSF, Santa Fe, BN) don't have them. They look a bit funkier then yours since you can see into them where the shoes are missing. Oh well. You win some and then you loose some.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=598914

Can't find a well lit truck shot for all units in the series, but there's some evidence to suggest that the outer brake shoes and hangers remained on this series of ex-GP-35s.