This is the Z Scale Locomotive Of All Time (Review)

I bought what I jokingly call “The Z Scale Locomotive of All Time”, and I’m here to share it with you. The American Z Line (AZL) GP30 locomotive is a beauty, and the prototype-specific Alco trucks on my SOO Line model make it even better. Also get some sneak peaks into my new Z scale project layout as well!
SOO Line GP30.
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[@Iconoclasher]

Soo Line wanted the AAR trucks as a cost saving measure. They traded in a bunch of Alcos so EMD rebuilt the AARs. It was explained in a video put out by one of the big RR museums.

[@asteroidrules]

Very similar to the GP35s in service with Great Lakes Central. They were built on the trucks from Ann Arbor Alco FA-2s that were traded in.

[@Raildig]

Hi, thanks for the shout out! This is John from US Z Scale... also as you can see by the RUclips name, we're Raildig here on RUclips. Really glad you like this GP-30. I use this term a lot (probably too much... LOL) but this SOO paint is iconic. You talked about the MRC a bit, we have seen, though rare, a few issues with these power packs. I'm no electrical wizard but just to play it safe, I'm kind of a fan of the Rokuhan RC03. I used to use the MRC 1300 back when Marklin was all I ran (all there was really) but with these AZL coreless motors, I'm all in on a lot of the Rokuhan stuff.
Great video, look forward to more! -John, USZ

[@NorthCountryTrains]

Your comment and email came just in time, I was going to be running the layouts all day off of MRC but I will use the Ztrak battery controller instead until I can get a Rokuhan unit.

[@Raildig]

@@NorthCountryTrains I think that's a good approach. I do like the MRC units for Marklin Z, they're terrific. For the AZL though I do prefer the Rokuhan.

[@TheRobertLcollins]

Nice locomotive. I have 2 from AZL, an ATSF F7 and a MP GP7, and I'm interested in getting a third. I get some of my stuff from Z Monster Trains. I 3D print my structures and a lot of my freight and passenger cars. I use a Rokuhan controller for my layout, so I second the recommendation. Good luck on the new layout!

[@NorthCountryTrains]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting! Z Monster seems like a great vendor as well!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Amazing all the detail for Z scale. Great looking locomotive. Jenny

[@adirondackandnorthern]

Awesome you rock Z scale Harrison
See you at Saint Albans

[@Wapitimodels]

Wapiti Rail Shops says "this is great". Thank you for sharing. Come stop by sometime, we have something for everyone

[@acmrctrains7157]

Nice Video found a whole bunch of Z scale loco's and rolling stock at the club so have decided to build a layout we had a layout but found it had tighter radius curves so starting from scratch just hard to find Z scale bits in New Zealand

[@RideWithMeOk]

Very cute and very good video mate !!!

[@Redheadedlady55]

~I enjoyed this sooooo-much...I do not own a Z-scale train but will one day. Have other trains that I simply love. Thx

[@dosgatosnegros]

My dad worked for Soo Line in the 70's-80's as safety director.

[@davidztog9011]

Very cool, Harrison. I have a pair of AZL SD70ACes ( Norfolk Southern and NS Heritage Lehigh Valley). Great runners. I would recommend getting a Rokuhan controller which can run on batteries or wall wart. Is the Barn Z scale?
Thanks for sharing. 👍🐾👍

[@NorthCountryTrains]

All structures are 3D printed and scaled to Z. I will look into the Rokuhan controller

[@emrilbennett8704]

Awesome

[@adirondackandnorthern]

T scale is commercially available to everyone
sooo yeah right when i thought Z scale was the smallest

[@NotGavin]

Great little locomotive! What starter set would you recommend to get started in Z scale? I’m interested in building a small portable z scale layout and was just curious what would be best!

[@NorthCountryTrains]

Honestly, I would avoid the sets from micro trains and get locos + cars from ALZ and track from Rokuhan. Unless you get a better deal elsewhere

[@eltoro6688]

SooLine would've traded those ALCO trucks to EMD to use in thier GP30s

[@mikecole819]

I believe MicroTrains N engines are either Model Power or LifeLike engines.

[@dilland6948]

The train ever

[@NorthCountryTrains]

The train

[@Hozy780]

I love z scale

[@alfrednawrocki8061]

How's the horn and bell sound??

[@NorthCountryTrains]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@colingarner6175]

When English is the first language of America I find it quite irritating when yanks keep saying zee when it’s actually zed .😢