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Post by PennCentral on Nov 14, 2015 9:38:00 GMT -8
FINALLY, the U33B and U36B are coming from Atlas. Atlas U33B/U36B
Jason Cook Indiana |
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Post by atsfan on Nov 14, 2015 9:46:30 GMT -8
I guess Auto Train Modelers can use them.
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Post by curtmc on Nov 14, 2015 9:50:21 GMT -8
Cool... That was expected eventually given that they had done the U23/30B.
Now where's the B36-7 that would sell more?
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Post by edwardsutorik on Nov 14, 2015 9:58:55 GMT -8
WHAT? Another EASTERN prototype?  ?? Ed (the Devil made me say it) |
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Post by rockfan on Nov 14, 2015 10:13:19 GMT -8
Awesome, I don't need all four numbers, I'll probably get two.
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Post by Judge Doom on Nov 14, 2015 10:17:15 GMT -8
*Cue the peanut gallery complaining Atlas never does any new locos, and that Atlas is going out of business* Oh wait  |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Nov 14, 2015 10:27:48 GMT -8
*Cue the peanut gallery complaining Atlas never does any new locos, and that Atlas is going out of business* Oh wait Considering the "peanuts" missed that Atlas did a new S-2, maybe they'll confuse these with U33C's. I mean, there's a "U" there, and all. Ed |
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Post by curtmc on Nov 14, 2015 11:21:07 GMT -8
Rock Island is EASTERN? I thought they had "& PACIFIC" in their name... LOL...
When Atlas did the U30B many realized that the U33B and U36B which share the same frame/trucks (and other details) would eventually be done in the same overall project (similar to the Athearn new SD39 being part of their upgraded SD40 project).
I think the last new Atlas unit that was mostly all new from the rails up was the Trainman+ Genset...
Now if Atlas did a steam locomotive... wait, don't you remember all the requests for those on the old forum?... then THAT would be a sign that they are expanding their production range.
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Post by atsfan on Nov 14, 2015 11:30:20 GMT -8
Yes the Genset was Atlas's last new engine from the rails. Others have been mods of existing units.
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Post by fr8kar on Nov 14, 2015 11:40:58 GMT -8
Sweet! I wonder if any future 33s will get the flare section that smoothes the joint between the hood and radiator. Not a hard mod to do, but...
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Post by middledivision on Nov 14, 2015 11:46:07 GMT -8
Cool... That was expected eventually given that they had done the U23/30B. Now where's the B36-7 that would sell more? A B36 would be nice and would not violate Atlas policy of Dash 9 or later units! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2015 12:08:15 GMT -8
Makes sense...to me...use the U23B/U30B drive, walkway, cab, handrails...tool a new hood. Perfect.
Just don't use the same guy that did the B23-7 door latches.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Nov 14, 2015 12:25:38 GMT -8
Yes the Genset was Atlas's last new engine from the rails. Others have been mods of existing units. Yeah. And Athearn's Genesis GP38-2's were just "mods of existing units" (the blue box GP38-2's). Atlas said they used "all new tooling". That is not a mod of an existing unit. That would be a "new engine from the rails". Ed |
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Post by onequiknova on Nov 14, 2015 12:46:31 GMT -8
Damn. Better finish my kitbashed one soon.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2015 12:47:07 GMT -8
I'm thinking the hood would be all new...but the rest of it would be retreads of the U23B/U30B line.
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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Nov 14, 2015 13:07:35 GMT -8
I'm happy to see the Rock Island U33B locomotives! Now what to do with the undecorated U23B locomotive and U33C shell that I never got around to building in to a U33B...
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Post by edwardsutorik on Nov 14, 2015 13:20:19 GMT -8
I'm happy to see the Rock Island U33B locomotives! Now what to do with the undecorated U23B locomotive and U33C shell that I never got around to building in to a U33B... WP had U23B's. And BN had U33C's. And both traversed the Keddie Wye. Now all you need are a couple of power chassis and a humongous steel trestle. And evergreen trees. And a river, way down there. Well, you could. Ed |
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Post by drolsen on Nov 14, 2015 13:27:56 GMT -8
Yikes, I knew this would happen eventually. Now I'm going to have to buy a set of Auto-Train units that I have no justification for having in the fleet! Maybe Walthers will start offering their appropriate passenger cars in the scheme too, but they may try to produce their own U36B so they can sell it as a set.
I've always been fascinated by the Auto-Train since seeing the old Model Railroader issue in my dad's collection that had the HO model train on the beach.
Dave
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Post by GP40P-2 on Nov 14, 2015 13:42:32 GMT -8
Dave:
Most of the cars for the Auto-Train have been produced by Walthers, BLI, and USP; some are a bit few and far between like Walthers Big Domes. Of course, you will be doing some painting involving purple...
Jim L
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Post by atsfan on Nov 14, 2015 15:51:14 GMT -8
Yes the Genset was Atlas's last new engine from the rails. Others have been mods of existing units. Yeah. And Athearn's Genesis GP38-2's were just "mods of existing units" (the blue box GP38-2's). Atlas said they used "all new tooling". That is not a mod of an existing unit. That would be a "new engine from the rails". Ed Why would Atlas not use existing tooling for frame, drive, electronics, fuel tanks, cab, handrails etc ? |
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Post by buffalobill on Nov 14, 2015 15:52:13 GMT -8
Good unit for the Penn Central guys, although the prototypes were absolute dogs.
Bill
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routerock
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Rock Island in 1977
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Post by routerock on Nov 14, 2015 16:14:26 GMT -8
And Rock Island fans are celebrating in the streets.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Nov 14, 2015 16:27:42 GMT -8
Yeah. And Athearn's Genesis GP38-2's were just "mods of existing units" (the blue box GP38-2's). Atlas said they used "all new tooling". That is not a mod of an existing unit. That would be a "new engine from the rails". Ed Why would Atlas not use existing tooling for frame, drive, electronics, fuel tanks, cab, handrails etc ? I dunno. I suppose they had their reasons. Why would Athearn not use existing tooling for their new GP40-2 instead of making all new? Ed |
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Post by fr8kar on Nov 14, 2015 17:23:50 GMT -8
Damn. Better finish my kitbashed one soon. I know the feeling. I still have one of each under construction. |
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Post by bdhicks on Nov 14, 2015 20:06:50 GMT -8
I could use a B36-7, but Atlas's track record with accuracy on Dash 7s leaves something to be desired. Although who knows, maybe they'll get it right one of these days.
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Post by jbilbrey on Nov 14, 2015 21:25:18 GMT -8
Good unit for the Penn Central guys, although the prototypes were absolute dogs. Bill The same went for the SCL units. Not many engineers had much positive to say about them, especially the wheel-slip management system. One of the last (NERR 5772), was scrapped by the shortline not long ago. Still, the model should prove to be popular with those that model the Bone Valley especially since a MATE is available via Shapeways. James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN |
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Post by GP40P-2 on Nov 14, 2015 21:57:56 GMT -8
That's what I'm talking about!!! Grimy white, red and purple, properly weathered!  |
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Post by Judge Doom on Nov 14, 2015 22:27:53 GMT -8
Why would Atlas not use existing tooling for frame, drive, electronics, fuel tanks, cab, handrails etc ? Ask Atlas. In the case of the S2 there's plenty of possible reasons: the old tooling might have been worn out, or have been designed with compromises/inaccuracies, or the new tooling would have required new chassis tooling for it to fit (rather than shoehorning it on old tooling). Since they switched to that new factory, if they had the in-house designers design and tool it up for them, it might have made more sense for the factory just to design it with all new tooling to make design and assembly work easier. Also, their old S-series switchers were designed when DC was the defacto standard, new tooling designs may have been needed to create the necessary space on the chassis and inside the shell to allow DCC + sound to be installed. Anyone who has tried to install DCC and sound inside an Alco switcher like an S1/2/3/4 knows how tight it can be inside. |
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Post by curtmc on Nov 14, 2015 22:39:18 GMT -8
Actually if you look closely all the announcement posters for the U33/36B show (as new) are the shells...
And for those who do not know the Athearn GP40-2 is not comparable because Athearn wanted an all new drive train, motor, and sound capability for their Genesis GP38-2/GP39-2/GP39X/GP40-2/GP40P-2/GP49/GP50 project and THAT'S why they didn't use the 25 year old blue box chassis. The Atlas U23/30B already had the sound capability and is less than a decade old so there should be no reason to do the chassis/frame over for the U33/36B and that's probably why they are just showing the shell (with the changed portions of the shell highlighted).
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Post by drolsen on Nov 15, 2015 5:38:42 GMT -8
Most of the cars for the Auto-Train have been produced by Walthers, BLI, and USP; some are a bit few and far between like Walthers Big Domes. Of course, you will be doing some painting involving purple... Jim, I know these models have been available for a while, but I think the manufacturers have been reluctant to offer them in the Auto-Train scheme because there were no comparable models of the motive power available. I'll be honest, since it's just a side interest of mine, I'd like to have an Auto-Train consist for fun, but I have no desire to paint the cars myself. Way too many other projects on the workbench. Dave |
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