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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 4, 2022 10:22:00 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. That's what the thread is about. Atlas made ... acceptable models for their time in the mid-1990s. They haven't done a run of these since. They're some of Atlas' first models without Kato drives. The C30-7 offered in the same era also has not been run since before 2000. It seems like it would be relatively inexpensive for Atlas to clean these up, put corrected cabs on them, and do new runs. Assuming the tooling still exists. They did offer their U30C five times through 2010, then once more in 2019 (the run which just showed up a month or so back). The U28C/CG and U30C Ph1 are first time offerings when announced in 2020 and 2021. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 4, 2022 10:39:43 GMT -8
I'm sure the C30-7's came after the Atlas U33C's. The improvements I noted bear that out. So, not "the same era", unless you ball it all up as The Olden Days. And, yes, the handrails came in black only (unlike the C30-7's). This isn't a particular problem for NP modelers, but BN and GN have some paintin' to do.
Ed
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 4, 2022 11:34:11 GMT -8
I'm sure the C30-7's came after the Atlas U33C's. The improvements I noted bear that out. So, not "the same era", unless you ball it all up as The Olden Days. And, yes, the handrails came in black only (unlike the C30-7's). This isn't a particular problem for NP modelers, but BN and GN have some paintin' to do. Ed Yes, the U33C was released in 1995 and the C30-7 in 1997, per hosam.com/model/modate.html. So not the same year or the same time, but I'd definitely argue two years apart puts them same era as far as manufacturing models is concerned. What is interesting is the U33C/36C is listed as being made by Kato and the C30-7 made in China. The handrails did not come in black only. See the Delaware and Hudson, Guilford, Erie Lackawanna and Southern Pacific models. All came with gray handrails, and the grays were different shades from one another to match the paint. www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/atlas-8544-guilford-h-650-u33c-ho-3780491874www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/atlas-ho-scale-diesel-locomotive-u33c-2102859748www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/atlas-8518-u36c-erie-lackawanna-3324-3821790680www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/atlas-ho-scale-8527-sp-southern-3771791721 |
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Post by es80ac on Feb 4, 2022 11:36:54 GMT -8
Those old GE has the sweetest chugs, love to have the DCC sound versions.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 4, 2022 12:23:45 GMT -8
My belief in the black-only for the U33C was based on the BN and GN models, with notably not correct color of handrails.
Black or grey, then.
Ed
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 4, 2022 12:51:47 GMT -8
I wondered if the first run came black only and the second run was color matched.
Atlas red-box locomotives of the post-Kato but pre-Classic/Master period constitutes an era of production. Particularly since at least two of the models have not been produced since.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2022 13:39:26 GMT -8
Yes, agreed.
I have no idea how "correct" those shells are or how much work would be required to update them (beyond the cab).
Just that I think with today's sound quality, an updated U33/36C would definitely sell. I'm not a GE fan per se, but they would be way cool to have, and with 125 units spread between U33C and U36C, they are actually among Santa Fe's most numerous units (second generation or later), and I know SP had a bunch too, before the deferred maintenance era resulted in their premature demise. |
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ed
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Post by ed on Feb 4, 2022 13:55:54 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. Thank you for this. I have bought etched parts for my SW-1s from them and was not disappointed. |
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Post by lars on Feb 4, 2022 14:37:35 GMT -8
For those that love that GE chug...
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 4, 2022 14:50:23 GMT -8
Yes, agreed.
I have no idea how "correct" those shells are or how much work would be required to update them (beyond the cab). The shells themselves are proportioned well to my eye. The details are a little chunky -- like the latches, for example -- and some details wouldn't fly with today's models, such as the radiator exhaust grilles. The hood profile is good, the shape of the long hood end is good, the door layout and intake grilles are fine. I would have no qualms about using these shells for a model today, but I'd like to see the radiators improved. The fuel tank is pretty decent but it's lacking in details, especially around the air reservoirs. Atlas only made two different sideframes for these, but if you can find them a third variation from the U30C can be installed to model different prototypes. Obviously the cabs used on the U23B, U33C/36C and C30-7, which are all the same design with some detail differences, suffer from oddly positioned and sized windows, weird doors, as well as numberboards and roof profile that are off. For whatever reason the proportions of GE cabs have eluded many manufacturers, not just Atlas, but there are options including the forthcoming updated cab from Atlas. Handrails and other details are very chunky. The handrails can be replaced with Utah Pacific stanchions and wire bent to shape, but that's challenging for many modelers (myself included). Naturally these 90s models never had road-specific details applied to them like we've come to expect from our models in the last 20 years, but you can still get those details separately and add them yourself. I am right there with you! I am a GE fan, especially of those prototypes used during the 80s when everyone it seemed was trying to dial in what it would take to make them reliable and durable. Santa Fe modelers need these for sure. The U33Cs were retired in December 1984, so they are just a bit too early for me, but U36Cs and those that were converted to SF30Cs are definitely right in my wheelhouse. The SP U33Cs were common on the SATX coal trains in my area until they were disposed of. Like most SP power of the time they usually looked like they didn't see much down time. Run 8 or die! I think if Atlas was able to update the model they should do it. They've got a great mechanism to build on. The Dash 8s they did hold up very well some 20 years after they came out. Simply updating the U33C and C30-7 to that level would offer a great starting point in my opinion. I've never seen the BLI C30-7 in person, so I don't know how it compares to anyone else's models. But if it's a good representation of the prototype, then there is not much to do to set the same mechanism and shell up for U33C and U36C details. Modern CAD software makes it a breeze to introduce variations and rearrange basic components within a drawing file. I'm hopeful that Aurora will deliver with their C36-7. If so I think it would be a simple matter to set up a CAD file using many of the same elements from the C36-7 to construct nearly any Universal Series C motor as well as the remainder of the Dash 7 series. ScaleTrains did a bang up job with their C39-8. They chose a prototype with a limited appeal and I'm afraid that didn't help sales, but I don't believe the U33C or C30-7 would suffer the same fate. Other manufacturers could do a good job with this prototype, too. Rapido makes me nervous because they seem to commit so many unforced errors. If they could just rein in their QA/QC I think they might be able to make some real winners. Same with some recent Athearn models. I think the way to Bowser's heart is to somehow get Mr. English to be a fan of the prototype. If that happened I have no doubt they could deliver a spectacular U-boat! |
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sp3205
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Post by sp3205 on Feb 4, 2022 15:36:42 GMT -8
I'd rather see a new model than have Atlas re-run the old U33C, I've upgraded an Atlas U33C, which is to say I used the upper radiator section and grafted it on to a Phase III U30C shell, which has far better detail than the U33C shell. I junked the drive because I dislike the Atlas side frames, and well, the Atlas frame period. My U30/33C models ride on modified Athearn SD40-2 frames. I'd like to have more big GEs, but fixing the old Atlas models is a lot of work, so I'll hold out for better models.
Elizabeth
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2022 19:10:01 GMT -8
Wow, Elizabeth, nice work indeed.
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Post by elsdp45 on Feb 5, 2022 19:52:34 GMT -8
U33C originally owned by Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Milwaukee Road, Delaware & Hudson, Erie Lackawanna, Great Northern, Illinois Central, Northern Pacific, Penn Central, SJ Groves, Southern, and Southern Pacific.
U36C originally owned by Santa Fe, Milwaukee Road, Clinchfield, Erie Lackawanna, Ferrocarril del Pacifico, and Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mexico.
Second owners: Conrail, Illinois Central Gulf, Guilford, Seaboard Coast Line, Seaboard System, CSX, and Squaw Creek.
I think these are most of the original and secondary owners of these units.
Atlas already has the chassis in the U30C.
Chris
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