Post by rock on May 7, 2012 11:17:48 GMT -5
My first U33B kitbash was so much fun, I couldn't resist doing another one. I was buying a cheap U23B from a friend and I had a spare U33C shell on hand, so that was all the impetus I needed.
However, I learned something else interesting that helped fuel this project. In 1970, the Rock Island ordered 15 more U33Bs for delivery in June/July. These ended up going to the Penn Central instead and were the last U33Bs ever built. I have heard a couple reasons why these were canceled: lack of funding (from X2200 South) or the fact that the Rock Island didn't need high-horsepower 4-axles anymore with its deteriorating track conditions and went with GP40s instead (RITS Yahoo Group).
Even more interesting, these U33Bs were to be part of a new numbering system for the Rock Island, putting things in the 4000s to complement a hopeful merger with UP/SP. So these 15 were to be numbered 4510-4524. The fairly new U25Bs, U28Bs, U33Bs, GP35s, and GP40s already on the roster were to be renumbered in 4400s, 4500s, 4600s, and 4700s.
So I figured I would model this as 4524, the very last U33B built by GE. The number would be kept through my own fantasy 1977 renumbering plan as the 4000-4550 numbers represent 4-axles with 3000+ horsepower. This model will be aged appropriately for my 1995 era.
Here are a few construction shots. I am using a U30C nose, just like the last kitbash. The cab and hood are from the U33C (need the square headlight housing from the U33C). Next step is to add road-specific detail parts!
However, I learned something else interesting that helped fuel this project. In 1970, the Rock Island ordered 15 more U33Bs for delivery in June/July. These ended up going to the Penn Central instead and were the last U33Bs ever built. I have heard a couple reasons why these were canceled: lack of funding (from X2200 South) or the fact that the Rock Island didn't need high-horsepower 4-axles anymore with its deteriorating track conditions and went with GP40s instead (RITS Yahoo Group).
Even more interesting, these U33Bs were to be part of a new numbering system for the Rock Island, putting things in the 4000s to complement a hopeful merger with UP/SP. So these 15 were to be numbered 4510-4524. The fairly new U25Bs, U28Bs, U33Bs, GP35s, and GP40s already on the roster were to be renumbered in 4400s, 4500s, 4600s, and 4700s.
So I figured I would model this as 4524, the very last U33B built by GE. The number would be kept through my own fantasy 1977 renumbering plan as the 4000-4550 numbers represent 4-axles with 3000+ horsepower. This model will be aged appropriately for my 1995 era.
Here are a few construction shots. I am using a U30C nose, just like the last kitbash. The cab and hood are from the U33C (need the square headlight housing from the U33C). Next step is to add road-specific detail parts!
