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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2022 9:53:20 GMT -8
Help me understand:
It's been many years since the Atlas red box units.
Why is it that we have no U33C and/or U36C in HO?
Seems there would be plenty of sales potential, either way?
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Post by slowfreight on Feb 2, 2022 10:46:33 GMT -8
Several of these large GEs seem overdue for modern models. The red box units leave plenty of room for improvement. The dash 7 series seems like it's never been adequately produced. I don't have much room for big GEs in my modeling, but definitely enjoy building the few that I can justify.
I don't know if it's easier to get info for making EMDs or the GE fans just aren't loud enough.
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Post by sd80mac on Feb 2, 2022 11:23:46 GMT -8
Talking to some friends in the model business, they've said that older GEs sell about as well as their real-life counterparts, particularly the U series (with the exception of maybe the U23B). It wasn't until the Dash 8 line that GE began to outsell and eventually bury EMD in sales. That's why you see so many models of Dash 9s, Gevos etc, they're everywhere in real life, and they sell. Though I can't imagine that there is any where close to the amount of pent up demand that there was for something like the GP30, I do agree that whoever does a "good" or "mostly good" Dash 7 (ahem, Rapido) could probably sell a lot of models, regardless of the variant. Hopefully the Aurora Models C36-7 sells well and convinces them to do more.
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Post by el3672 on Feb 2, 2022 12:13:25 GMT -8
I'd be all in for Rivet Counter/ Genesis level U-Boats, especially the 33-C & 36-C in EL, oh and the 34-CH also.
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Post by lars on Feb 2, 2022 13:36:05 GMT -8
While we're on topic, why is it that we haven't seen more recent runs of the Atlas U33/36C? Atlas seems to run some old tooling forever. Were the 33/36 that old or that bad and in need of retirement or would they be not that dissimilar from the "Classic" series or even some of the older tooled models like the SD-35?
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Post by brammy on Feb 2, 2022 13:37:39 GMT -8
Sign me up for an EL U33.
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 2, 2022 14:49:00 GMT -8
If you go on their archive page it's like these engines never existed. That means no production runs since before 2000.
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Post by packer on Feb 2, 2022 16:51:16 GMT -8
If you go on their archive page it's like these engines never existed. That means no production runs since before 2000. Their Fairmont is the same way
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 2, 2022 17:13:30 GMT -8
And their C30-7 ain't there, either.
Ed
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Post by csx3305 on Feb 2, 2022 17:18:00 GMT -8
At least one run of U23B isn’t, either.
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Post by The Ferro Kid on Feb 2, 2022 19:26:34 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2022 21:35:47 GMT -8
Yes, the red box units are ancient history now, and of course that model would require significant updating.
I'm glad to see the U28C/CG coming, and I have 2 pre-ordered.
I'm not even really a GE fan, but if one models certain railroads in the 1970's and '80's, these other big U boats are a gaping void in the roster now.
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 2, 2022 22:05:35 GMT -8
Yes. to this day I occasionally see the D&H and EL units for sale floating around train shows. Notice the lettering fonts aren't quite right on most of them, makes you wonder if Kato had a hand in there developing them.
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ed
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Post by ed on Feb 3, 2022 5:54:59 GMT -8
A detail parts manufacturer had several U33C/U36C shells available, IIRC, as well as some detail parts. Not sure if they still exist. It would be nice to have RTR units that are more in line with today's standards.
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Post by JohnJ on Feb 3, 2022 6:58:04 GMT -8
Yes. to this day I occasionally see the D&H and EL units for sale floating around train shows. Notice the lettering fonts aren't quite right on most of them, makes you wonder if Kato had a hand in there developing them. I remember being super disappointed when I got my Penn Central U33C, as the lettering is way off. Ended up repainting and detailing it, and it’s still a nice model even now. I picked up a Seaboard Coast Line one a few years later and it also now wears PC black.
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Post by drsvelte on Feb 3, 2022 8:04:27 GMT -8
A detail parts manufacturer had several U33C/U36C shells available, IIRC, as well as some detail parts. Not sure if they still exist. It would be nice to have RTR units that are more in line with today's standards. I believe you are referring to KV Models - kvmodels.com/. They do make very nice photo-etched parts for GE Uboats as well as for Alcos and EMDs.
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Post by bnsf971 on Feb 3, 2022 8:09:59 GMT -8
I do remember one of the versions came with grab irons and some other detail parts, while the others didn’t. All had the holes predrilled, though. I think whichever one came out earlier had no grabs included.
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Post by elfan on Feb 3, 2022 16:17:38 GMT -8
Talking to some friends in the model business, they've said that older GEs sell about as well as their real-life counterparts, particularly the U series (with the exception of maybe the U23B). It wasn't until the Dash 8 line that GE began to outsell and eventually bury EMD in sales. That's why you see so many models of Dash 9s, Gevos etc, they're everywhere in real life, and they sell. Though I can't imagine that there is any where close to the amount of pent up demand that there was for something like the GP30, I do agree that whoever does a "good" or "mostly good" Dash 7 (ahem, Rapido) could probably sell a lot of models, regardless of the variant. Hopefully the Aurora Models C36-7 sells well and convinces them to do more. While I understand the need to sell a certain number of models to justify its production, many models have recently been produced that had far fewer prototype units produced than the early GEs. The SD38 comes to mind, the SDL39, and any Baldwin product also. Bowser did the U 25 B in multiple runs, and Rapido is seeing fit to produce it again, so why not a U 33/U 36 series? Granted the modern GE models will far outsell the early U series, but I find it difficult to believe a model done to todays standard of quality wouldn’t sell enough to justify producing. But what do I know? I’m just a consumer. Tom
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2022 19:14:12 GMT -8
Tom--
Thank you. That is why I posted this thread.
I would think SP/SSW/ATSF fans would be able to use these...lots of these.
Just looking back at some Santa Fe video clips from the 70's and 80's, I had not really noticed in the past, but the aggressive bark of the GE U36C units stood out in contrast to the turbo whine of the EMD's. Now that we have decent sound in the very latest HO diesels, some coming with sugar cube speakers etc. a big brute like the U33C/U36C would sound really impressive next to those fleets of EMD units that everybody seems to have.
John
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Post by el3672 on Feb 3, 2022 19:54:41 GMT -8
A detail parts manufacturer had several U33C/U36C shells available, IIRC, as well as some detail parts. Not sure if they still exist. It would be nice to have RTR units that are more in line with today's standards. The Shells that Scott Lupia/ KV Models offered a few years ago are currently not available. When he offered them they were on a very limited availability. I picked up (2) Phase 1 33-C, (1) 36-C & (2) 34-CH shells at the time. Etched parts that go with these are amazing. The correct cabs & roof contours I'll be using are the ones from ( Thanks fr8kar)
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Post by bncascadegreen on Feb 4, 2022 1:36:29 GMT -8
Try modeling BN in the late 80s and 90s, elven up to 2001-2005 and still not have an accurate B39-8E LMX units. As Walthers and Atlas are foobie stand ins. And are basically train set models. I missed out on brass as I didn’t start buying brass until very late 90s/early 2000s. It’s up to ST or Rapido to do them now as I doubt Athearn or Atlas will do them correctly.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2022 7:55:00 GMT -8
Please anyone other than Rapido. They can't paint Santa Fe units correctly, but get the yellow in 3 differing shades. Eeewww (recent Kodachromes - I returned my unit to the dealer). They also apparently do not prime models and then have varying colors of plastic and brass underneath, which messes up final paint colors (for other roads beyond merely Santa Fe). No thank you. Epic fail on engines that already exceed Atlas, ST, Bowser, Intermountain and Genesis pricing.
I would hope for ST, Genesis or Atlas...
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Post by rockfan on Feb 4, 2022 8:02:22 GMT -8
Atlas has done these in the past. How long ago, not sure. Saw a used U33/36C at a hobby shop Illinois Central, probably around 2005 and you could tell it was probably 20 years old.
Hopefully they will update these including the new cab that will be on the U33/36B when they finally show up.
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Post by lars on Feb 4, 2022 8:21:17 GMT -8
Atlas has done these in the past. How long ago, not sure. Saw a used U33/36C at a hobby shop Illinois Central, probably around 2005 and you could tell it was probably 20 years old. Hopefully they will update these including the new cab that will be on the U33/36B when they finally show up. I believe the Atlas U33/36Cs were introduced in the 1990's. I think they were all red box offerings.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2022 8:23:31 GMT -8
Yes, red box but ancient history...handrails need updating and I do not know what else. They never released any of these after 2000. They did not have separate grabs...
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 4, 2022 8:54:45 GMT -8
Yes, red box but ancient history...handrails need updating and I do not know what else. They never released any of these after 2000. They did not have separate grabs... I'm pretty sure they did have separate grabs. Although I don't have any U33C models intact anymore (kitbash fodder for me) I don't recall having to carve anything off. And yes, the handrails on those and the C30-7 definitely could use an update. The U30C handrails look much nicer.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 4, 2022 9:00:05 GMT -8
They did not have separate grabs... Just checked my NP ones: The U boats didn't come with them; but they weren't cast on, which was an improvement over some models. You could drill the holes, and attach your own--the "spots" were there. And add MU hoses, while you're at it. They DID come with plastic coupler lift bars. What with the lettering mostly needing replacement, and having to also (usually) paint the handrails, these were definitely kits. Ed PS: The C30-7 included at least some pre-bent grabs. And, judging by my UP one, the lettering improved a lot. And the handrails are cast in grey, not black.
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 4, 2022 9:09:00 GMT -8
They did not have separate grabs... Just checked my NP ones: The U boats didn't come with them; but they weren't cast on, which was an improvement over some models. You could drill the holes, and attach your own--the "spots" were there. And add MU hoses, while you're at it. They DID come with plastic coupler lift bars. What with the lettering mostly needing replacement, and having to also (usually) paint the handrails, these were definitely kits. Ed PS: The C30-7 included at least some pre-bent grabs. And, judging by my UP one, the lettering improved a lot. And the handrails are cast in grey, not black. Thanks, Ed. I stand corrected then. The grabs that came with the C30-7s were pretty heavy, but I suppose they were consistent with those handrails. I bought several decorated models with the intent of cutting them up so I didn't care about the paint. All of them had handrails molded in color to match the model, so BN had green, UP and SP had gray, NW had black, etc.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2022 9:58:30 GMT -8
The IC units have black handrails, not orange. My friend has some of them.
Also, the ATSF units have black handrails. Some of the ones available for sale were painted by their owners, but the NIB NOS models have black, which being Delrin does not hold paint so well.
Also this thread is not about C30-7's. They were much later in real life, and BLI already makes it.
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 4, 2022 10:07:19 GMT -8
No Santa Fe U33/36C units had handrails in any correct color. My friend has some. They were black.
Also this thread is not about C30-7's. They were much later in real life, and BLI already makes it. I mentioned the C30-7 in the context of the Atlas U33C model because they were released at the same time (1996?), so they shared many features (cabs, trucks, frame/motor, etc.).
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