Model Railroading > U33B Progress !

No...not my kitbash....that was a labor of love to get Atlas to produce a U33B and a U23C....half of my mission was accomplished at least :)

That Atlas site now shows actual decorated models instead of artist renditions, of the U33/U36 models. That usually means they are close to ready....that cnage only came recently - the undec models have been shown since the beginning.

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hou3336.htm

Bob

Yes, patiently waiting on my SCL 1776 U36B to replace the Athearn version I had as a kid from ~40 years ago....

Russ

I remember talking with someone at the Atlas booth at the Springfield show in late January 2017 and they thought the unit might be available by years end. It's been a long wait. --------- Ken

A big YES for the U23C as well. Why this locomotive as well as a quality U33C have not been done is a real mystery. Please keep pushing for the U23C! One of the Rock Island U33B's will be on my shopping list. Richard.

navarch2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No...not my kitbash....that was a labor of love to
> get Atlas to produce a U33B and a U23C....half of
> my mission was accomplished at least :)
>
> That Atlas site now shows actual decorated models
> instead of artist renditions, of the U33/U36
> models. That usually means they are close to
> ready....that cnage only came recently - the undec
> models have been shown since the beginning.
>
> http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hou3336.htm
>
> Bob

I almost get the impression that I'm looking at an N-scale model. Close up photography is generally quite harsh on a model, but here the details are remarkably thick, heavy and in some cases (I'm looking at you, spotlights) crudely rendered. And after making a pretty decent cab on the B23/30-7 models, Atlas appears to have gone back to the older cab from its U33C models with a clearly incorrect roof profile and incorrectly placed and undersized windows. Why? Both P2K and Riverossi have shown it's possible to do nice U-boats in HO. Here's hoping that somebody finally does a good rendition of the 1960s/1970s U-series. Clearly, Atlas isn't up to the task.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth, I agree, it's disappointing that the manufacturer who seems to have taken on the GE line as their primary diesel focus can't seem to get the basic cab (and other) dimensions correct. Someone on another forum posted that Atlas used the old cab to avoid the cost of tooling a new one. I got the impression that he had spoken to them about it. If that's the case, it's really disappointing that they aren't willing to correct the previous errors. The inaccuracies in the locations of the tops of the windows (especially when looking at the corner of the cab and comparing the heights of the side and front windows) is so glaring that I can't look past it.

I'm really disappointed in this model. One of my first model railroading memories is the old issue of Model Railroader with the Auto Train model on the beach, and I was really looking forward to getting a pair of Auto Train units in the hopes of eventually building a complete set as depicted in that old magazine. If this is how the production model turns out, I'm going to pass.

Dave

I agree with you. The brake wheel is what makes it look N to me. Much finer brake wheels in HO are available.

Betsy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I almost get the impression that I'm looking at an
> N-scale model. Close up photography is generally
> quite harsh on a model, but here the details are
> remarkably thick, heavy and in some cases (I'm
> looking at you, spotlights) crudely rendered. And
> after making a pretty decent cab on the B23/30-7
> models, Atlas appears to have gone back to the
> older cab from its U33C models with a clearly
> incorrect roof profile and incorrectly placed and
> undersized windows. Why? Both P2K and Riverossi
> have shown it's possible to do nice U-boats in HO.
> Here's hoping that somebody finally does a good
> rendition of the 1960s/1970s U-series. Clearly,
> Atlas isn't up to the task.
>
> Elizabeth



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/17 07:46 by nydepot.

Kemacprr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I remember talking with someone at the Atlas booth
> at the Springfield show in late January 2017 and
> they thought the unit might be available by years
> end. It's been a long wait. --------- Ken

At least we can assume it is a real project now....despite the assurances we had at Springfield, the continued use of artwork through just a few weeks ago was not very reassuring ....as for the U23C I'd go for a few......ditto a really nicely done U33C....maybe Atlas will try it in 2018 or Athearn will in 2018, or maybe BLI....all have a drive to do it with.

Bob

nydepot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I agree with you. The brake wheel is what makes it
> look N to me. Much finer brake wheels in HO are
> available.
>
> Betsy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I almost get the impression that I'm looking at
> an
> > N-scale model. Close up photography is
> generally
> > quite harsh on a model, but here the details
> are
> > remarkably thick, heavy and in some cases (I'm
> > looking at you, spotlights) crudely rendered.
> And
> > after making a pretty decent cab on the
> B23/30-7
> > models, Atlas appears to have gone back to the
> > older cab from its U33C models with a clearly
> > incorrect roof profile and incorrectly placed
> and
> > undersized windows. Why? Both P2K and
> Riverossi
> > have shown it's possible to do nice U-boats in
> HO.
> > Here's hoping that somebody finally does a
> good
> > rendition of the 1960s/1970s U-series.
> Clearly,
> > Atlas isn't up to the task.
> >
> > Elizabeth

I have to believe this was simply a modification of the U33C body molds...the entire U-series could stand an overhaul model-wise but at least this is something and it is not all that awful....

I did ask Walthers about a U-boat series a few years back at Springfield and they said they were considering all their options for new products. Bowser some day maybe? Maybe Athearn will do a Genesis U-boat series some day.

Bob

Betsy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I almost get the impression that I'm looking at an
> N-scale model. Close up photography is generally
> quite harsh on a model, but here the details are
> remarkably thick, heavy and in some cases (I'm
> looking at you, spotlights) crudely rendered.
<SNIP>
> Elizabeth

I wonder if Atlas is going to add the spot lights on the conductor's side as well. They aren't shown in the pre-production photos.

Prototype image by Karl Rethwisch via rrpicturearchives.net

Russ

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