First I have heard it but great! Love those units! FRTS has notice on site. Maybe trucks will be available as spares?
Right u18b. It's U30C's. Likely An updated re-release of the early 90's units. Here's the link. N-Scale GE U30C : Precision Railroad Models Hope they include the D&H lighting stripe versions at some point!
You can subscribe to Kato News and get these updates. N-Scale GE C30-7 : Precision Railroad Models Glad to see it back. I have an original run that had truck mounted couplers. I recently body mounted the couplers and need to fill in the void on the front and rear. I dropped in a new motor. It runs nicely with my GP 30's and is quite the puller.
I'm such a sucker for Bicentennial paint schemes, (even have the Bman Usomething from the 70s). Maybe one of those and the unique DOT, oh, and the -7 Kodachrome. I don't have any DOT or Kodachromes. Still, my SF geeps are lonely. Wait, wait, wait, nope, not gonna do it. //a phew, moment of weakness has passed. Um, does the Norfolk Southern have any of either? ☻
I see that there is a Defense Department version of the U30C. LOL. Wonder if thaqt what was proposed to trive the MX missile system around the nation. Hmmmmm.... Could have some interesting stuff if that is the case.
Steve, seems to me I remember seeing some U30 type NS ponies running through Dayton, Ohio. Just can't sware to it.
My first thought is that the east coast modelers got a bum wrap, but then again most east coast lines ordered both engines with the 4 step pilots rather than the 5 steps that kato models. I woulden't mind a CRL C30-7 though. Those were all ex-ATSF units.
We have a ton of NS (and CSX) in Cincinnati, so it wouldn't surprise me if you have seen some in Dayton which is only about 50 miles from Cincy. biggrin:
Doubtful--the USDOT unit was bought new during the production of the units--'66-'76. MX (Peacekeeper ICBM) came on line in 1986. PK Rail Garrison was a concept, but never made it to deployment. The USDOT only bought one U30C. Prolly for the Pueblo, CO test facility.
The Kato write-up says these were produced between 1976 and 1986. Does anyone have any BN roster information regarding when they took delivery of which units? I am particularly interested in knowing whether BN ordered or took delivery of any around 1976, and what numbers they would have been. Edit: I may have found what I am looking for. It seems to happen that way. I ask the question here and then one internet search later - bingo! In case anyone else is interested, here is a photo roster for BN concerning the C30-7 and a few other models. It appears the earliest build date for BN was September 1976 and that was for C30-7 #5500. Kato's chosen numbers, 5000 and 5119, would have been October 1979 and July 1980, respectively, with them being retired January 2001 and February 2001, respectively.
For the BN fans among us. Here you go: http://www.trainpix.com/bn/ROSTER.HTM For the NS fans: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=287951
The MX missiles had GP40's for power but the program has scrapped half way thru the 40's getting a dash 2 upgrade.