Here's one final side by side shot, showing how much (i.e. how little) must ground off the front of the U30C mechanism for it to fit under the Minitrix U30CG shell. No modification required at all with the front light board, it clears without a problem under the Minitrix U30CG shell. The good news is that a Kato U30C / C30-7 mechanism is a easily adaptable fit, and I think, a good choice to put under a Minitrix U30CG shell. Thankfully no major surgery required .
Still working on them, slowing painting up the sides and nose, removing old lettering, drilling holes for the handrails, etc: Here's a shot showing how fortunately, nicely, the U30C mechanism lines up and fits under the Minitrix N scale shell: Hope this helps. I'm in the process of decaling now.....
Great Scott John, you've got THREE of them? Admittedly, that's one of a select class of locomotives that has appeared in no fewer than three paint schemes and two renumberings - not as many as the FP45's, but you can still have a lot of fun just following "405" as "8005" in two other schemes...
Yes, three of them. Started the 2nd one to 'improve on the first one'. Then started the 3d one to 'see if the DCC-ready new U30C/C30-7 Kato mechanism fits as well'. (all the measuring so far indicates it will with no problem). Then decided more efficient to assembly-line them and work on all 3 simultaneously. This will probably be the only time I will model one-half of the entire prototype fleet. Three is enough..... unless..... someone comes up with a valid mechanism variation that drives "I have to try that"... and thus drive a 4th one. Or I get some stupid idea like 'hey, it's within reach to model the entire U30CG prototype fleet, I'll be halfway there'. (don't get me started!) I think I'm a compulsive model railroader. I certainly didn't start out this project with the idea that one would grow to three. But then, I didn't plan on doing 5 each of Santa Fe GP30s, GP35s, and SD40's either. Having fun modeling the Santa Fe in N scale.....
Absolutely beautiful! Really nice seeing the 'Super Fleet' come alive! (AND on updated mechanisms!) Are you doing any U30CG's?...(February's Santa Fe calendar shot is of one of these...sure fits the era of these units...) Sincerely, Bruce
That last run of Trix's turned out to be fair runners and good pullers. I have an older Kato SD 40 that I run with my Trix and surprisingly they are pretty well matched. Coincidence I'ma sure. Randy, I believe has the right idea and that should work out nicely. I never much cared for the windows or other details on the Trix's. I have three shells that need some serious work and high hopes of seeing them run. On the value? I will go back and look at what the original MSRP is or was and considering the age of the units I will cut it in half and that's where I start my dickering. $20.00 is about what I would spend on one of these keeping in mind the shell is the only thing I will most likely use. From the side door pullman: In todays world of used trains there are those who think they have the families crown jewels up for sale and are intolerant to the idea they are valued less then.
Hi, Bruce, Those Minitrix shells *are* U30CG's. By the way, Bruce, your other thread about detailing Santa Fe Warbonnet E6's, F7's, PA1's, as well as your Santa Fe layout room recent posts on Western scenery = great. Thx for the inspiration yourself to me from your threads. Hope you enjoy the Santa Fe Historical Convention this summer in Temple, great bunch of people. Take lots of pictures while you're there and share Back to the the topic of this thread......for me, as time allows I will finish decaling the three U30CG shells, spray Model Master semi-gloss lacquer finish, then finish installing the nose wire grabs irons. (I discovered the hard way that taping the BLMA grabiron template on the Santa Fe nose herald decal area.... lifts off some of the decal, because I didn't apply the semi-gloss coat first).
Thanks John... I apaologize...I meant tp type the U28's in the red and silver warbonnets!...guess I had U30CG's on the brain looking at these beauties... I've done the same thing with taping templates.... I'm to the point now that I just transfer measurements with calipers rather than use the provided templates... Bruce
Yes, Bruce, a previous post in this rather long thread showed the U28CG stand-in that I had commissioned from Emperor of the North custom loco painting (Doug Gary), here's a closer look: The above loco isn't, of course, exactly correct for a U28CG. The prototype had no yellow/black separation stripes, had steam generator bulges behind the cab, emergency and sealed beam headlights on the nose and a fuller length fuel/water tank.... but it's a start. Maybe someday I'll finish off those details. (or ask you, Bruce, if you'd do be willing to do it for me!) Anyway, back to decaling the U30CGs....
lulz You may not have more than one addition to your fleet! Which one of the six are you missing? I've got a soft spot for these, as one was liable to run the Tulsan for a period of time. They weren't my era, but that's certainly my train...
I took out my scale ruler and studied where the compression is on the Minitrix U30CG shell vs. the prototype: Interesting. I'm pressing onward. The difference is small enough for me to accept. I couldn't have told the difference until I studied it closely .
I would completely agree with you...very tough to notice the difference... These are really looking good! Bruce
Progressing slowly with the decaling and detailing..... here's a shot comparing the old too-short-wheelbase Minitrix mechanism with the Kato U30C mechanism (correct wheelbase for U30CG): I'll leave it to all of you to reach your own conclusions.... For me, I think the longer correct wheelbase looks better. Even though the Minitrix shell is a scale 4' too short, but at least the longer correct wheelbase on the Kato U30C mechanism IMHO gives the model the 'heft' of the real U30CG's length. And given the superb running quality of the Kato U30C mechanism vs. the hopelessly noisy Minitrix, it's a no-contest decision to go with the Kato mechanism.
Optically, I don't think the conversion would be worth it to me. However, regarding that grinding Minitrix sound, I'd be very tempted indeed.
For me it was more of a matter of getting a 'free' shell from Verne Niner when he sold his collection, combined with the need for another hefty six-axle in the Kato fleet of freight luggers. I got a used C30 and just started cutting and filling... When they were in the general freight pool they were apparently not favorites as the lead unit - whether it was for ride, AC, visibility, or whatever, so like that I have my model set up as a trailing unit (no headlights). But my favorite 'stump puller' remains the Kato C30/U30C mech, and this is just one more interesting thing to do with one. Most general freights across the Arizona Divide in the 70's had at least three units; typical lashup was three 3600hp units or close to it, so the ability of this conversion to MU seamlessly with other bit Katos was the driving issue to my project. The big visual difference (a lot worse than the wheelbase or 4" on the body) that I'll re-emphasize is the fuel tank. That takes some work. The typical GE air reservoirs have to be filled over as the entire bottom of the frame was fuel and water storage (steam generator). That's a spotting feature of the highest order and the trimmed trucks around the steps don't bug me at all. The baffles were cut when the steam generator was ripped out and the entire tank converted to fuel. I don't know where they stuffed the main reservoir(s). When I was completing mine I looked at the filled-over fuel tank and seriously considered making a resin master out of it, and decided there were very few people that would want to bother working this hard on a U30CG to get it right, so I didn't do it. Who knew John would do the whole fleet????
You're correct, Randy, the need to do a filled-in version of the fuel tanks is an absolutely necessary visual step that I plan to do. At this point I'm planning to do that after I get the shells done and on the mechanisms. When I get to that point, Randy, we might talk (the foobie U28CG needs same fuel tank treatment, by the way). Agreed, all of this is degrees of compromise. Some legitimately could say the time being invested here on three 4'-too-short-shells might be more wisely spent elsewhere on other projects...... but I figured, how many people know what a U30CG *really* looks like? It was Randgust's photos (reposted below) that got me started... and it wasn't until I was buying the first shell literally on a whim when I found a inexpensive Minitrix U30CG and a Kato D&H U30C sitting side by side for a great price at a local train show......that I then realized the Minitrix shell was 4' short.... But Randgust's photos below looked so good, I had the confidence the final outcome was worth that hard-to-see visual compromise. It was acceptable model railroad compromises, since we also have other compromises such as MT couplers, flanges that are too deep, 19" radius curves, truck-mount couplers, shells made of plastic rather than metal, and the fact that our locos run on straight electricity and don't burn any real diesel fuel are also compromises. In my case, it's just the challenge of doing it that got me, and the fun learning process of doing things I've never done before (like wire handrails and grabirons) that then grabbed my interest..... and especially the really funky weirdness of having a triplet of decent U30CGs running around my little layout. It's all your fault, Randgust, if you'd never posted these two pic's of your U30CG Minitrix shell mounted on a Kato U30C mechanism earlier in this thread (these are shots of Randgust's version posted on page 2 of this thread, of which I am shamelessly attempting to do feeble imitations): If I'd never seen Randgust's two photos above, I'd still be dumb and happy working on something else, with no U30CGs would be on the workbench. But the two shots above, just struck me like a lightning bolt. It's like the Santa Fe gods reached down out of Topeka and knocked a dumb happy idea into my head that wouldn't let go. Of course, the fact that I am a nut about the Santa Fe in N scale had nothing to do with it.............. Randgust, I thank you for it. Model railroading is fun, especially when you do it inspired by, and push-the-envelope-in-skill, with friends.
And of course, mine is still just WAY too clean. That warbonnet color isn't right unless you have it under a layer of grime. I haven't decided yet if it will be leaking crankcase oil off the top of the frame edge and over the striping... The FP45's got dirty, but these were just a MESS by 1972, it had been four years since anybody cared pretty much what they did with them after getting bumped off passenger service.
Yes, I agree, it's that fuel tank that is the most critical visual feature. At least, once one knows about it. A resin cast would definitely be a good thing, particularly if the same one could be used for both Minitrix models, the "30" and the "28". I'd be in the market for two.
