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Post by elfan on Feb 23, 2024 19:08:25 GMT -8
Curious what the informed… and uninformed…members of the board think about the chances of a quality, updated model of the GE U series diesels of the 60s and 70s being produced anytime in the next few years? The Atlas models, though fine for their era, are a bit long in the tooth. The Rapido model of the U-25-b is awesome. I’d like to see a similar quality U-23, U-30, U-33, and variants come to market.
Tom
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Post by Baikal on Feb 23, 2024 19:35:11 GMT -8
Curious what the informed… and uninformed…members of the board think about the chances of a quality, updated model of the GE U series diesels of the 60s and 70s being produced anytime in the next few years? The Atlas models, though fine for their era, are a bit long in the tooth. The Rapido model of the U-25-b is awesome. I’d like to see a similar quality U-23, U-30, U-33, and variants come to market. Tom
Per General Electric, there's no "-" in basic GE model names (unlike Alco):
Also on GE manuals, engineering sheets, etc:
And pro RR & modeler journals & magazines.
So the proper nomenclature for large GE locomotives is U25B, U23B, U30C, U33C...
It would be nice if someone does these units, but not necessarily Rapido. Would be cool to see some sort of modular approch covering most units from Phase II U28s thru ?? I'd rather see Walthers/Proto or Atlas take this on.
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Post by cemr5396 on Feb 23, 2024 19:41:07 GMT -8
I wouldn't be surprised
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 23, 2024 21:00:40 GMT -8
Wouldn't mind some U33C's in GN, NP and BN. Not my faves, but they were out there.
Ed
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 24, 2024 1:46:18 GMT -8
Rapido is not at a par with Athearn Genesis and ScaleTrains Rivet Counter.
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Post by lars on Feb 24, 2024 3:26:20 GMT -8
I don’t see Atlas taking this on. First, they seem very unwilling to significantly upgrade tooling. For example the GP38/40 was warmed over for decades and stagnated to the point where 3 new manufacturers are now after that market. Second, there are so many variants within most GE models and I don’t see Atlas tackling all of those variants at the level that consumers now demand.
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 24, 2024 6:38:04 GMT -8
Um, actually, a brand newly tooled Atlas Phase 1 (never before made) U30C is due literally within days. I can't say how good it will or won't be since I've never seen photos of a pilot model or anything, but they've been on the water since December 29.
So far as Rapido is concerned, I was interested in buying a Rapido U25B, but looking at them in person there were too many nagging QA/QC issues on the physical models that I saw for me to even consider buying one especially at their high price point.
I consider Rapido diesels to be below Genesis, ScaleTrains, or even Atlas Master Series models. Their paint colors have been hideously wrong too often compared to the others.
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Post by cera2254 on Feb 24, 2024 7:22:22 GMT -8
The weakest part of the upcoming U30C ph1 in my eye is the draft gear, they used one molded into the pilot with a separate coupler box instead of a totally separate draft gear.
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mdq
Full Member
Posts: 127
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Post by mdq on Feb 24, 2024 8:00:55 GMT -8
Um, actually, a brand newly tooled Atlas Phase 1 (never before made) U30C is due literally within days. I can't say how good it will or won't be since I've never seen photos of a pilot model or anything, but they've been on the water since December 29. So far as Rapido is concerned, I was interested in buying a Rapido U25B, but looking at them in person there were too many nagging QA/QC issues on the physical models that I saw for me to even consider buying one especially at their high price point. I consider Rapido diesels to be below Genesis, ScaleTrains, or even Atlas Master Series models. Their paint colors have been hideously wrong too often compared to the others.
I agreed about rapido QA/QC issues. My experience with them, as far as reliability, and QA issues has been mediocre.
Waiting for Atlas to wake up and start producing model with today's technology and know how.
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Post by lars on Feb 24, 2024 10:06:56 GMT -8
Um, actually, a brand newly tooled Atlas Phase 1 (never before made) U30C is due literally within days. I can't say how good it will or won't be since I've never seen photos of a pilot model or anything, but they've been on the water since December 29. You are correct and this may keep down other companies from releasing U30C Ph1s. However the U23B and later phase U30C that they still run are 20+ years old and the U33/36C, which hasn’t been run since the 90’s is even older. And while I haven’t seen the Atlas tooling, their artwork shows a Ph1b or 1c on the ACL and PRR units, which are 1a’s - there are noticeable differences in radiator intakes between those phases. I don’t have the final verdict on the Atlas, but those are typical of the differences that Athearn/ST/Rapdio are tooling up in the name of (at least attempting) greater accuracy. |
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Post by rockfan on Feb 24, 2024 10:22:14 GMT -8
Atlas put a new cab on the U33/36B after the first run. Is it Genesis quality I don't know. I think they also made the U33/36C.
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Post by cpr4200 on Feb 24, 2024 11:59:07 GMT -8
Atlas upgraded the U33/36B's in the last run to include etched screens in the radiator area as well as the new cab. Not see-thru as there's a "wall" behind the screens, but an improvement. Would be nice to see the Phase 2 U30C and the U33/36C's upgraded as well, with rooftop radiator detail and d/b grids. Recently saw a photo of a Phase 2 U30C with big sunshade holes as on the U28C . . . not sure if it's the new cab or not.
I still like the Proto B-boats. Wish they had done the U25B.
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Post by wagnersteve on Feb 24, 2024 12:21:59 GMT -8
February 24, starting about 3:11 p.m., EST
Two evenings ago Atlas aired a YouTube video a bit over an hour long, as I recall, featuring their young-looking general manager and Tony Cook of White River Productions. Among other things, the latest run of Atlas U33Cs had arrived at the warehouse in New Jersey. One they showed was D&H 703, a Phase 1 unit equipped with front lights including a Mars light. Notably, its front truck is an Adirondack type and the rear one is a GSC type. The D&H had replaced the front truck within a year of getting the real loco with a spare Adirondack one. Another U33C model they showed was a Reading one with the "Bee Line" emblem; I believe that one properly represents a Phase 2 loco. The D&H units, at least, appear to be sold out at Atlas already. If I had funds and space enough, I would have been happy to buy one.
Athearn posted a lot of new runs yesterday morning on YouTube yesterday morning, although the last time I looked there aren't proper links to the PDF page or pages for some of them. Included are 52' mill guns lettered for the D&H, with some improvements over past Athearn models. I still think the carbody casting for the Walthers version the D&H cars is a better representation for the Bethlehem-built cars the D&H bought; I have some quibbles about the Walthers lettering and plan to use decals to letter two or three of them.
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lhr
New Member
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Post by lhr on Feb 24, 2024 12:28:20 GMT -8
As far as Atlas and GE offerings, until they produce a correct GSC side frame for 60's-70's GE's and remember to put the dynamic brake grids behind the side radiator screens, can we say latest run U28C/G, they are shown on the parts sheet diagram, they can go pound sand. There's a slight but noticeable difference between the AD (Adirondack) and GSC (General Steel Casting) side frame with low or high mounted brake cylinders. The biggest being the casting holes in the side frame. On the AD, they are closer to the end axles. On the GSC, they are centered between the axles, and there is also a slight difference in the shape of the side frame, and no manufacturer to date has ever produced them, that I know of. Now, Atlas did do a later version of the GSC with high mounted brake cylinders and single shock absorber on the center axle that they put on their C30-7. Earlier versions of both AD and GSC had 2 shock absorbers, one over each outboard axle and low mounted brake cylinders. If you are a Santa Fe modeler, a lot of their U36C's and C30-7 models came with AD trucks. Atlas did make the earlier AD truck, the one with the curved lip over the center axle, but those were pretty much phased out after the next version came along. Matt from Atlas in a video that was shot at the Amherst show was showing a D&H unit with 2 different trucks under it. The front had an early AD truck with the lip over the center axle while the rear had the later version AD that he called a GSC, which is wrong. Granted, Atlas is getting better with their stuff, buuuut, they need to read up more on accuracy of loco components.
Greg
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Post by wagnersteve on Feb 24, 2024 13:24:05 GMT -8
2/24, 4:23 p.m., EST
Greg, thanks for the correction.
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Post by rockfan on Feb 24, 2024 13:42:25 GMT -8
Almost forgot about the P2K U boats, Walthers needs to do more frequent runs.
I've seen tons of U28B's on the Rock Island and I'm thinking Atlas will announce a U28B before we see another run by Walthers.
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Post by gmpullman on Feb 24, 2024 16:05:58 GMT -8
At the time I didn't have a U boat on my radar (or periscope?) then I was confronted with 'such a deal'! I haven't seen the Rivarossi model mentioned yet. I picked up a pair back in 2016 when one distributor was selling them off for a little more than the price of the decoder would sell for (about $130 as I recall). Mine run well and look pretty decent if you can overlook the flat, stamped handrails:  PRR_6514_U25C by Edmund, on Flickr I 'believe' they have been reissued since 2016 but I could be wrong on that count. Regards, Ed |
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 24, 2024 16:28:50 GMT -8
The Rivarossi were dumped cheap because Hornby quit the US market.
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 24, 2024 18:52:53 GMT -8
Correction: The Atlas models everyone is talking about are actually U30C's and not U33C's (those have not been made for many, many years)
Also: I have been shopping on ebay and there IS a later run of the Hornby/Rivarossi U28C that has upgraded plastic handrails. They look much better than the first run units, for sure, and I almost bought one, but I'm actually trying to focus now on mostly IC/ICG.
Finally: Atlas may be sold out of U30C's but the distributors, at least Heartland, still have available, not pre-sold, models coming. My local dealer was able to order me one D&H and one Reading version (I don't even know if I need them, but they are coming). Chessie is easy to get as there was a run of Phase 2 and 3 units including Chessie a year or so ago. However, the Reading and D&H units were still available from Heartland when my dealer ordered mine just a couple weeks ago.
I assume that a reputable dealer can call any of the 8 big distributors left and should be able to get any model you want.
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 24, 2024 18:58:31 GMT -8
Also--about that U33B/U36B that came in recently from Atlas.
My musician friend is a big time GE nut with a very good ear. He was VERY impressed with the Atlas/Loksound U36B models and thought they sounded as realistic as any HO diesel possibly can. The SCL version in particular has a working nose mars light.
The sound on these models is much nicer than the U28C/U28CG models were.
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Post by cpr4200 on Feb 24, 2024 20:10:50 GMT -8
The Korea Brass U25C's were nice, too. I picked up a Pennsy for under a hundred (silent). I have a Rivarossi/Hornby shell on the way, will probably bash an NYC U25B out of it on an Atlas drive.
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Post by hudsonyard on Feb 24, 2024 20:25:13 GMT -8
The Hornby/Rivarossi/Korea Brass/whoever owns the tooling now U25Cs are probably better performers than the prototypes ever were.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 24, 2024 20:49:37 GMT -8
The Hornby/Rivarossi/Korea Brass/whoever owns the tooling now U25Cs are probably better performers than the prototypes ever were. The Rivarossi/Hornby and Korea Brass U25C are two different models. The easiest way to see this is without the shell...: Korea Brass:  Rivarossi:  |
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 24, 2024 23:34:41 GMT -8
Correction: The Atlas models everyone is talking about are actually U30C's and not U33C's (those have not been made for many, many years) Also: I have been shopping on ebay and there IS a later run of the Hornby/Rivarossi U28C that has upgraded plastic handrails. They look much better than the first run units, for sure, and I almost bought one, but I'm actually trying to focus now on mostly IC/ICG. Finally: Atlas may be sold out of U30C's but the distributors, at least Heartland, still have available, not pre-sold, models coming. My local dealer was able to order me one D&H and one Reading version (I don't even know if I need them, but they are coming). Chessie is easy to get as there was a run of Phase 2 and 3 units including Chessie a year or so ago. However, the Reading and D&H units were still available from Heartland when my dealer ordered mine just a couple weeks ago. I assume that a reputable dealer can call any of the 8 big distributors left and should be able to get any model you want. I have two not pre-sold coming. I may be able to grab 1-2 more if someone speaks up within a day of them arriving. I only pre-ordered Reading and D&H. There's no good way to predict what will be hot 18 months ahead - I thought the Bowser LV 212 would be hot, but so did everyone else and they sold them for a cut rate price. So I still have one. But my source usually has that 1-2 per part number extra padding that I can hit if someone changes their mind at the last minute on something I didn't think would be an easy sale. |
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Post by wagnersteve on Feb 25, 2024 5:31:41 GMT -8
2/25/24, starting 8:29 a.m.
U30C, thanks for your correction. I'm one of those who mistyped U33C instead of U30C. Sorry about that.
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Post by elfan on Feb 25, 2024 11:12:58 GMT -8
Correction: The Atlas models everyone is talking about are actually U30C's and not U33C's (those have not been made for many, many years) Also: I have been shopping on ebay and there IS a later run of the Hornby/Rivarossi U28C that has upgraded plastic handrails. They look much better than the first run units, for sure, and I almost bought one, but I'm actually trying to focus now on mostly IC/ICG. Finally: Atlas may be sold out of U30C's but the distributors, at least Heartland, still have available, not pre-sold, models coming. My local dealer was able to order me one D&H and one Reading version (I don't even know if I need them, but they are coming). Chessie is easy to get as there was a run of Phase 2 and 3 units including Chessie a year or so ago. However, the Reading and D&H units were still available from Heartland when my dealer ordered mine just a couple weeks ago. I assume that a reputable dealer can call any of the 8 big distributors left and should be able to get any model you want. I was unaware of these. I am primarily interested in a quality, updated version of the U33C, in both the early as well as later phases, and U34CH. However, I am tempted to pickup a U30C for D&H and/ RDG. Tom. |
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Post by middledivision on Feb 26, 2024 8:12:55 GMT -8
At the time I didn't have a U boat on my radar (or periscope?) then I was confronted with 'such a deal'! I haven't seen the Rivarossi model mentioned yet. I picked up a pair back in 2016 when one distributor was selling them off for a little more than the price of the decoder would sell for (about $130 as I recall). Mine run well and look pretty decent if you can overlook the flat, stamped handrails: PRR_6514_U25C by Edmund, on Flickr I 'believe' they have been reissued since 2016 but I could be wrong on that count. Regards, Ed Love my U25C's and I paid around $100 for sound units. Yeah, the handrails are flat but at least they painted them in DGLE, not black like Atlas did with their U28C. How they could mess that up is beyond me. Also, it takes Atlas forever from announcing a locomotive to actually delivering one. |
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Post by middledivision on Feb 26, 2024 8:17:40 GMT -8
Also--about that U33B/U36B that came in recently from Atlas. My musician friend is a big time GE nut with a very good ear. He was VERY impressed with the Atlas/Loksound U36B models and thought they sounded as realistic as any HO diesel possibly can. The SCL version in particular has a working nose mars light. The sound on these models is much nicer than the U28C/U28CG models were. And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 26, 2024 9:34:37 GMT -8
Note that on U25C's, the vertical stanchions pretty much ARE flat steel stampings.
With my old AHM one, my plan is/was to round the handrail with files, and put it back on. After painting.
Ed
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Post by prr 4467 on Feb 26, 2024 10:17:35 GMT -8
Also--about that U33B/U36B that came in recently from Atlas. My musician friend is a big time GE nut with a very good ear. He was VERY impressed with the Atlas/Loksound U36B models and thought they sounded as realistic as any HO diesel possibly can. The SCL version in particular has a working nose mars light. The sound on these models is much nicer than the U28C/U28CG models were. And thanks to the beauty of Loksound, you can change the sound file to the better version. Maybe you can easily change the sound file, but I do not have the expertise or the right equipment/software, and my dealer does not either. When I have contacted ESU and also their forum, the answers I received were not helpful/adequately understandable to me. I would have to sit down with somebody who knows what they are doing, who could walk me through everything from the beginning with a real live example, and I do not know anybody locally who does know what they are doing. IF my dealer knew such a person, he would refer me to them, and he does not. Some people locally are great modelers but not great with electronics. All of us around here that I actually know, including the local regulars at the train store, just operate the models the way they come from the importer (yes we can change CV's but I don't know anybody that actually replaces sound files despite having asked around). If we don't like the sound on the models, we either turn it off completely or just sell them, as I did with the U28CG after complaining to Atlas about it. |
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