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Post by fishbelly on Nov 30, 2023 10:03:39 GMT -8
Rapido advertised that they have Phase I, II & III units represented in their first run. Which one is supposed to be a Phase III?
Phase III U25B's would have the sloped nose and split window on the cab face. I do not see any of their models with this configuration. I only see Phase I and II represented which have the flat top nose and full one piece window.
These are what I can make of the different phases.
Phase I units have straight up steps, air reservoirs on the sides of the fuel tank, three varying height equipment box doors on the right side, unique style step well railings and brake wheel.
Phase IIa has the air tanks moved to the front and rear of the fuel tank, Standard height handrails at the step wells.
Phase IIb has two equal size equipment box doors on the right side.
Phase III has a slope top nose and split front cab window.
Phase IV has a miner brake instead of a brake wheel.
Curious as to what Rapido calls a phase III. Unless they are making up their own phase designations.
Brian
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Post by edwardsutorik on Nov 30, 2023 10:25:23 GMT -8
Here's a discussion about U25B phases: dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thread/15306/u25bWhile the split window started at "Phase III", the sloped nose started "Phase IV". The photos seem to prove that. Clearly, any Phase III in Rapido's first run should have a split windshield. None do. PERHAPS one (or more) of these road numbers SHOULD have been split windowed. I do know they got the GN ones right, on that matter. Same appears true for the NH. I think I heard they're planning to do the split window versions later. Not a chance in hell they're gonna fix the GN paint color, I am convinced. LOVE to be wrong on that one! Ed |
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Post by jonklein611 on Nov 30, 2023 10:32:33 GMT -8
rapidotrains.com/master-classes/ge-u25b-master-classCab No Windshield, two-pane sliding window on cab side (early, high nose) Large Single Pane Windshield, two-pane sliding window with two fixed windows fore and aft of the sliding window (low nose, early) Large Single Pane Windshield, two-pane sliding window with two plated-over fixed windows fore and aft of the sliding window (low nose, early) Two Small Pane Windshields, two-pane sliding window with two fixed windows fore and aft of the sliding window (low nose, late) Two Small Pane Windshields, two-pane sliding window with two plated-over fixed windows fore and aft of the sliding window (low nose, late) Dual Control Option
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Post by onequiknova on Nov 30, 2023 10:51:49 GMT -8
I don't think Rapido is following the phases Ed linked to. From what I can tell, their phases are as follows.
Phase 1: high nose/early steps.
Phase 2: low nose/large windshield/tall engine room doors/three battery box doors.
Phase 3: low nose/large windshield/four short engine room doors near radiators/two battery box doors.
Also, I wasn't aware they ever made U25Bs with the flat low nose and split windshield like in the link above. It must have been a short period of time when GE was building them that way.
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Post by prr 4467 on Nov 30, 2023 13:15:38 GMT -8
Well, ya know there's always that upgraded Bowser U25B that is also out now in some roadnames, at a lesser price point than Rapido, too.
I'm not particularly a GE fan, but for those who are...
And for the record, I was interested in buying at least one Rapido U25B until I saw some that had what appeared to be unacceptable QA/QC issues that would be hard for me personally to fix based upon past fixes I have attempted on other brand-new diesel models (I tried and failed to fix).
Those old Atlas C-420's from 12 to 18 years ago are sure looking like pretty good buys off the evil auction site at this point, well at least for folks like me who maybe don't need a GE.
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Post by fishbelly on Nov 30, 2023 13:30:30 GMT -8
The two U25B's I bought from Rapido are in excellent condition including assembly. The only improvement I added is a new speaker from Scale Sound Systems. I will be buying more from them when they put out the phase with split windows. It is my favorite GE.
Brian
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Post by wmcbride on Nov 30, 2023 19:05:48 GMT -8
Well, ya know there's always that upgraded Bowser U25B that is also out now in some roadnames, at a lesser price point than Rapido, too. I'm not particularly a GE fan, but for those who are... And for the record, I was interested in buying at least one Rapido U25B until I saw some that had what appeared to be unacceptable QA/QC issues that would be hard for me personally to fix based upon past fixes I have attempted on other brand-new diesel models (I tried and failed to fix). Those old Atlas C-420's from 12 to 18 years ago are sure looking like pretty good buys off the evil auction site at this point, well at least for folks like me who maybe don't need a GE. I have been seriously considering a recent-run Bowser U25B. The lack of a cab interior and all that glass though ... Bill McBride |
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Post by cpr4200 on Dec 1, 2023 15:15:43 GMT -8
Even with the upgrades I'm still not a fan of the Bowser/Stewart U25B's, although I have not seen the most current offerings. New York Central had U25B's with a split windshield and flat nose in class DRS15b, 2530-2555. The change was made while this group was being built. I don't have photos of the whole class, but 2535 has a one-piece windshield while 2538 appears to have a two-piece, but the photo isn't too clear. So, there could be only about 20 NYC units like that. PRR also had some; a photo of PC ex-PRR 2653 shows a flat nose and split windshield and so does CR 2635. |
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Post by onequiknova on Dec 1, 2023 15:35:10 GMT -8
Even with the upgrades I'm still not a fan of the Bowser/Stewart U25B's, although I have not seen the most current offerings. New York Central had U25B's with a split windshield and flat nose in class DRS15b, 2530-2555. The change was made while this group was being built. I don't have photos of the whole class, but 2535 has a one-piece windshield while 2538 appears to have a two-piece, but the photo isn't too clear. So, there could be only about 20 NYC units like that. PRR also had some; a photo of PC ex-PRR 2653 shows a flat nose and split windshield and so does CR 2635. That PC engine looks to have a sloped nose to me, but the Conrail unit certainly has a flat nose. Compare the gap between the bottom of the windshield and the top of the nose between the two. The PC unit also has a ratchet hand brake. |
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Post by fishbelly on Dec 1, 2023 16:44:59 GMT -8
John,
Where are you seeing these photos? On their web site I only see a generic representation of PC 2664 for each model.
Brian
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Post by onequiknova on Dec 1, 2023 17:50:33 GMT -8
John, Where are you seeing these photos? On their web site I only see a generic representation of PC 2664 for each model. Brian Brian, I was referring to the prototype pictures cpr4200 linked to above. |
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Post by cpr4200 on Dec 1, 2023 19:43:49 GMT -8
Even with the upgrades I'm still not a fan of the Bowser/Stewart U25B's, although I have not seen the most current offerings. New York Central had U25B's with a split windshield and flat nose in class DRS15b, 2530-2555. The change was made while this group was being built. I don't have photos of the whole class, but 2535 has a one-piece windshield while 2538 appears to have a two-piece, but the photo isn't too clear. So, there could be only about 20 NYC units like that. PRR also had some; a photo of PC ex-PRR 2653 shows a flat nose and split windshield and so does CR 2635. That PC engine looks to have a sloped nose to me, but the Conrail unit certainly has a flat nose. Compare the gap between the bottom of the windshield and the top of the nose between the two. The PC unit also has a ratchet hand brake. You might be right. The PC photo isn't really that clear ... so Pennsy would also have had Phase IV units. |
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