AZL GE ES44AC
AZL released the first colour scheme, the BNSF ES44AC, in July 2017. Later on, the other versions were released; the Union Pacific version followed in January 2018.
BNSF 6422 (AZL-62402-1), BNSF 6423 (AZL-62402-2), UP 8070 (AZL-62400-1), UP 8076 (AZL-62400-2)
The engines have ditch lights with a good brightness thanks to optic fibre rods, two thicker rods for the dichlights and two thinner for the headlights.
They come with a "chinese" 10V/12V can motor.
Included is an extra truck without the coupler, an optional pilot and an optional plow.
I run the two engines tail to tail. The leading engine 6422 gets the plow. The front truck is replaced by the truck without the coupler and the plow is installed.
Removing the shell
Hold the tank and lift the rear end.
If the shell sits to tight on the chassis (may happen when the engine is new) remove the rear truck with the help of a screwdriver. Then, with a small screwdriver go between the shell and the chassis at the rear end and lift the chassis out of the shell. Press back the truck into the chassis.
left: digitalized with TCS AZL4 - middle and right: digitalized with ZDL-AZL-01
The middle body needs additional blackening to prevent the shining though the body.
Digitalizing
The BNSF engines were digitalized with the TCS AZL4 decoder.
The UP engines, previously digitalized with the Digitrax DZ123Z0 decoder, were redigitalized with the Zmodell decoder ZDL-AZL-01 in 2024.
The inside of the body is partiallly blackened to prevent the bright LED light shining through the body (digital voltage: 11 V). If necessary, the inside was additionally painted with black paint.