American Models is coming out with a U25B. Shipping in January. Features- New Sprung Drive System with Gription Traction wheels, 5 pole motor with flywheel, die cast frame, DX features and Dual bright LED directional headlights. Greg
It does look nice. Ought to make a few people happy to have this. As he's a big RI fan, I wonder if Dave Engle will be buying? Have you seen a head on view? Is this the split front window version? Or the one piece? Boxcab E50
It looks like the two piece windshield and level nose. IIRC that makes it a late U-25B and a stand in for a early U-28B. Also the number on the AM model is a U-28B if my memory cells haven't failed me. Greg
Oops. This is a weak area for me. I don't understand the "phases" for all the U boats. Just obvious stuff like wheels, numbers, etc. The level nose is correct for Milwaukee Road. So the rest should follow. I know that at least some of their U28B roster was a later version, that was actually an early U30B. Guess I'd better dig out some U25B photos, and look more closely. Boxcab E50
Here is a picture of one of the Milwaukee U-28B's. It currently sits in Portola. It should really go to a new home, where Milwaukee railroad means something. AM's model will fit into my WP era layout very nice, since it can power the transfer runs onto and off my layout. Greg
Greg- Milw 5057, part of their series 5050-5060 (nee 5000-5010, nee-381-391), is actually a U25B. I wonder where they got the oversized logo? Wow. It's about twice the size of the original. Boxcab E50
Ken, Thanks for the correction on the 5057. I will change my notes. That logo came on it, when we aquired it from a university that was using it in its diesel mechanics program. I will have to check to see which school it came from. Greg
Greg- The logo as seen on it now, is about twice the size of what was on it originally. I have one in my collection....... Can supply accurate dimensions. Back to the model- Looking at the photo, these appear to have the big hole in pilot for a tinplate coupler. Does anyone make a replacement pilot, or supply one for coupler conversions, for a more scale/prototypical appearance? Boxcab E50
Ken, The pilot does have the tin-plate hole in it. It seems to be a new direction AM is taking, witness the SD60's and FM Trainmasters. As far as I know, no after market part like N scales MT's pilot conversion kits. I will be scratching a pilot for it too. If my design works for the SD60, it might be adaptable for the U-25B, or the other way around. Greg
American Models has finally posted the news of their U-25B on their web page. They are supposed to be delivered in the next week or so from what I hear. Not a bad looking model, but not up to their earlier diesels IMHO. It shouldn’t take much to put Kadee’s and fill the hole in the pilot. http://www.americanmodels.com/locos/u25.html Greg
Greg- I will guess that AM sells more units to tinplaters than scale folks? It would seem to me that there would be very little extra tooling to make a shell without that gaping hole in the ends. Ugh. What is it that is giving you an impression this offering is a slight decrease? Quality of detail? Paint? Both? Other? Boxcab E50
The last three new engines offered by AM have had the tin-plate AF style coupler truck mounted. You are correct in your assesment that they sell to the AF crowd more than the scale crowd. The AF people complained about the body mounted couplers on the GP-9's and GP-35's. Oh well, we wouldn't have these otherwise nice models if it weren't for the AF crowd. One thing though, it reminds me of the days when you bought a model and improved it with your own sweat equity. I remember doing detail work on Athearns and not thinking a thing about it. I have one on order, for my birthday. It will fun to elevate it up to scale standards. I guess we have gotten spoiled by the quality of models offered by Kato and such. On the other hand, if it runs as nice as my SD60's then the time spent refining it will be worth it. Also it looks like it has a nice paint job. Greg
