New Kato U30C

I hope their second release includes SP.

 

Hope they don't get to shops too soon, being I got all 3 BN on order...and got some other things I wanna get too, like an alignment on the car before I head to Spokane

 

Here is the most recent ad I've seen. N-Scale GE C30-7 : Precision Railroad Models

Doesn't appear to be one planned for SP.

Are we talking about the same locomotive?

 

different loco, he's talking about U30Cs in SP

 

They look nice on the Kato site, gonna need some paint work on the handrails and steps on some units though. I can also tell you, here come the plastic mold colors don't match the paint color cryer's.

 

Here is a resource you can use to compare the two locomotives. Kato GE U30C

Kind of hard to pick up on the difference. Visual doesn't denote a big difference...if any.

The real deal four...(ah...two) GE U30C on Tehachapi, http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/rail/sf/hs_sf8031.jpg

Edit: Oops. As pointed out by the Montana Kid, the last two in the picture are EMD's.

 

The New U30C

Historically, this N scale Kato engine has some significance, as it was one of the first flywheel equipped six axle diesels made, and it is a glorious runner and puller. Smooth, quiet, powerful, all we looked for in a loco. After its initial intro under the Atlas label, it had sparse re-runs over the years, which drew the used units up in price at auctions and swap meets, and had us clamoring for more on all of the forum boards.

I purchased one off the original run in PRR, which I guess was prototypically accurate but quite bland, all semi-flat black with a small twinge of green highlight with a name, number and a couple of keystones, and that was it. But it looked so grand on the layout and pulled practically everything I chose to run behind it.

I recently went to my favorite LHS in Lantana, FL and they just picked up an estate of brand new, old Atlas Kato locos in a storage container auction, and sold me a bunch of those vintage unused Atlas/Kato locos at $20-25 each, and of course my most cherished pick was another U boat. Wheels still clean, I put it on the track and it ran like Kato's new SD70Ace's. I don't run dcc so this pickup at $25 still in its original box in mint condition was a find among finds.

My suggestion to my fellow N scale modelers is to buy buy buy. It is certainly worth the money invested as it will perform for you and look great doing it. If it gets a welcoming gesture, they will reissue it more often over the next few years and they are certainly keepers.

I might buy one more just because they are that good, but it will be a slightly more colorful one, which shows off the incredible engraving and truck detail.

Ken "FloridaBoy' Willaman

 

Here are the actual Kato units (U30C): http://www.katousa.com/N/U30C/index.html

I'm not a big ATSF fan, but looking at the radiators those they look like C30-7's and there's only 2 GE's in that pic, the other 2 are EMD's.

 

The most striking visual differences between the U30C and the C30-7 is that the latter has more of a 'wing shape' on the radiator. It was the beginning of the evolution of the modern GE radiator shape, that became much more pronounced with the dash-8.

Also on the C30-7 the hood widens towards the back before reaching the radiator at the rear.

Those are the most easily spotted differences.

 

Correct, 2 x C30-7, SD45 and another SD (45-2?).

 

Those are not U30C's. ATSF did not have U30C's. The U23C's they had while close had visual differences from the U30Cs and were typically assigned to special duty areas. They handled the coper mining areas near Hurley NM among other slow speed traffic that required "lugging" heavier loads.

 

I would LOVE to have the BN Bi-Cen but after the bashing that went on here with the SD 45, I will wait until I see the unit in person before I commit to one.

 

Just keep me on the straight and narrow...LOL.

You are so right and I went back and corrected my original posting. I was tired when I got home and saw the picture.

Edit: I didn't give it a real critical look like some of you critic's with sharp eyes and tonques. Grin...I've been wanting to say that for a long time. Just funnin.

So, we aren't talking about the same locomotive and I still can't see the difference. Oh well!

 

Danm'it, looks like will have to buy a BN unit. Hopefully they offer the green handrails separate as I have several of the older run that will become U33C's and they sure would look nice with non chipped handrails.
Kevin

 

LOL...Like I'm going to sit and count engine doors.

The posting under the original picture reads: [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A set of helpers going downhill with C30-7 8031 leading the pack. May 1986. At the top of Walong Siding headed downhill through the Tehachapi Loop.


[/FONT]

 

They look nice, but it looks like we'll be swapping out couplers again to Kato short-shanks (as with the SD45's).