A.H.M.

[bcrn]

I model the Rock Island, and originally bought the U-25-C, as a stand in for the 4-axle model. When Stewart came out with their "boat", since I model into the post "what if" era, I kept them as B.N. hand me downs. Anyone else have any experience with them, like coupler conversion, or how they pull?

[bnsf971]

With fresh traction tires, they pull okay. Electrical pickup isn't all that great. Kaslo Shops has a replacement frame and drive for them, you could do that if you want to.

[bcrn]

It does take more current to get them moving, but, three will pull 85 cars without too much trouble, so i doubt i'd replace the drive.

[bnsf971]

May 20, 2012 15:48:38 GMT -8 bcrn said:

It does take more current to get them moving, but, three will pull 85 cars without too much trouble, so i doubt i'd replace the drive.

That should be more than sufficient for most model railroads. One thing I've seen and experienced with them, though, is when the frame starts to crumble to powder. I saw one still new in the box for 5 bucks, with the frame a pile of dust in the box.

[nw611]

The AHM U25C was made by Rivarossi in the seventies. At that time Rivarossi, here in Italy, became (in)famous for its frames made in "zamac", a low quality material which selfdestructed in about 10 years. BCRN, I'm surprised that your engine is still in good shape. Ciao.
Raffaele Galiano

[bcrn]

I have had as many as five, though, not all at once. I believe the first, (acquired in the mid-seventies, perished in a club fire in Des Moines, Iowa. The other four I still have, and I can't say I've seen any frame degradation. I have alot of foobie BB athearn cars, that have the original steel flat weight, plus an xtra 1 oz of lead in them. Four units will pull alittle over 100 mixed brands of cars, w/o warming them up too much. But, the track is pretty much flat, around the wall. Only tried this once,,,, well,,, maybe twice.

[nw611]

Maybe Rivarossi was using better quality frames for its American prototypes. Ciao. RG

[edwardsutorik]

The AHM/Rivarossi U25C goes back to about 1965, folks. At the time, I got one in PRR. That first run had a separate ladder on the rear, as opposed to cast-on. The model is a curious mix of first-rate die-work with third-rate everything else. Except maybe paint.

Mine haven't gotten the dreaded zinc pest, yet; but my old Dockside died of it years ago. Sniff!


Ed

[bcrn]

How did your experience with operating them go? I've never had trouble with mine, but i never got up the nerve to do a coupler swap on them, so i run them with a comp car.

[edwardsutorik]

I didn't really like how my PRR U25C ran. That's why I got dummies later--no problem there. Anyway, I tried putting a new homemade drive in. It didn't improve much, which might have something to do with the design, though it shoulda worked. I put a Pittman DC-70 in the long hood and a flywheel in the cab. Bein' as I was much younger then, it could have been the execution. A few years ago, I scrapped out the drive and gave up. So now I have three dummies.

I did put Kadees on the Pennsy loco, but I don't recall how I did it. Normally, one can glue a plastic block in of just the right height and tap it 2-56 for the standard box. Easier said than done, of course.

I am REALLY hoping someone does the U25C someday--a nice one. I feel that the AHM locos just aren't worth the effort.


Ed

[umtrrauthor]

"Zamacitis" is a funny thing. Some locos come down with it almost immediately and some seem to be immune.

The Atlas First Generation N Scale locomotives had a lot of Zamac in them also. The ones I have are still intact. I guess I'm lucky.

My dad has an old Varney steam engine in a display. I know to not even breathe on that one or it will disintegrate!

[edwardsutorik]

I've got an assortment of old Ulrich cars. They were cast before 1965. Some are in great shape. Some went bad by the eighties.

Luck of the draw. I don't think it's "magic". I think the casting metal was uneven in content and contained contaminants. Sometimes you ended up with good metal; other times you ended up with .......


Ed

[edwardsutorik]

A big surprise to me: Ulrich Models is/was still in business. They just shut down producing their tractor/trailers in January.

Their website:

www.ulrichmodels.com/



Ed

[calzephyr]

May 23, 2012 15:46:46 GMT -8 edwardsutorik said:

A big surprise to me: Ulrich Models is/was still in business. They just shut down producing their tractor/trailers in January.

Their website:

www.ulrichmodels.com/



Ed

I have been buying my Genesis Ace models from Steve Ulrich but did not associate the name with the old line of products from Charlie Ulrich. I am not sure of the relationship, but there must be one.
The notice below is copied from the Ulrich web site.

Steve does Led light installations and sells the package also. The SMT leds are are very nice and a welcome replacement for the Athearn light bulbs.
larry

Latest News January 2012
Due to rising costs in China, all production of Ulrich Models has been discontinued.
The two axle and three axle COE truck and the square nose trailer tooling is in China
The original Kenworth tooling is in the US.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the tooling, please contact us. We still have a few parts.