Rock Island U33B

[rock]

This weekend I started a new project, a Rock Island U33B. The Rock Island had 25 U33Bs, which lasted up until the 1980 liquidation in some form. From what I gathered, 285-299 were converted into slug mothers with decreased gearing ratio and 190-199 were left the same. Also, an order for 15 more in 1970 was cancelled and they went to Penn Central instead. In my alternate world, 190-199 were rebuilt in the early 1980s and put in service on the Golden State Route after the line was rehabilitated. They were retired from that service in the late 1980s with the new C40-8s replacing them and they were then relegated to local switching, the service they will see on my layout. My model will be #4191, former 191 put into the new number series.

I used a U33C for the hood and cab (with the square headlight), U23B parts for the sill, grab irons, and pilot details, and a nose and cab interior from a U30C. The model is basically ready for painting - I just have a couple more details to add such as an A/C unit and bell.

[Randy Earle]

That worked out slick!

[quadk]

Looking good already!

[diesel]

wow Eric, you must have cut the long hood down to fit it, but I can't see where, and you don't even have it painted! I like the story behind this. It's always fun to do proto stuff, but to rewrite history when you don't really like the way it went.

[rock]

Thanks! Dan - the cut is right behind the cab, so the hood is essentially one piece. That's what makes a U33B/U36B such an easy (and tempting) kitbash. The real Rock Island U33Bs ended up sitting around Silvis for a few years and then were sent east to the scrapper's torch.

[RunningExtra]

Eric, not sure how I missed this thread until tonight but that looks sweet, I like your RI equipment, very nice sir!

[rock]

Here's an update: this motor is now essentially ready for decals.

[ranchwagon]

Nice! I'm glad to see some info on GEs as I'm not as familiar with them as the EMDs, etc.

[rock]

Finished the decals this weekend:

[ranchwagon]

Excellent, Eric!

[SCLFanatic]

Very nice job Eric! I must say RI blue and white are cool on a U-Boat. Please post pictures of the unit in service.

What type of paint did you use?

[rock]

Here are some photos of the finished product. I am a little embarrased at how the cab is not sitting on the frame very well. I have this problem on most Atlas GE locomotives, but they don't look as bad as this one. I'll have to take it back to the workbench and try to figure out the problem. Carl - I used Badger Modelflex paint. I mix 2 parts RI Blue with 1 part Reefer white for all my Rock Island blue custom paint jobs.

[diesel]

wow, I really like the paint job! Are you going to add mu hoses ect.?

[dyglac]

Nice looking unit (was hoping for maroon/yellow). I think the U33 hood is just a little taller than the U23 hood. The difference being the gap. Should be an easy fix.

Doug F

[scl1523]

Its actually easier to use a level surface and sand the entire long hood down. If you use a Hitech details cab kit, you will notice the difference even more so. I completed this on my most recent U36B and it allows for the "step" where the cab and long hood meet. And if one uses the nose from the Atlas U30C, it too will need to be sanded appropriately.

www.pbase.com/jrmay/image/134886631

[rock]

Thanks very much for the tips on the cab gap problem! The cab and hood are from the U33C, the sill/frame is U23B, and the nose is U30C heritage. So it sounds like the best way to go is to sand down the long hood. I'll give it a try and post photos of the results.

I'll probably get around to adding MU hoses. I have some other GE projects to finish and will see where I stand with extra parts. I like using the Atlas MU hoses for these.

[rock]

Today I worked on filing down the shell and the nose so the cab would fit better and it looks much improved! After I chiseled down the shell enough, then the decoder was sticking up too far and keeping the shell from settling down, so I had to relocate it a little. I also added MU hoses.

Here is a photo of the prototype:
gelwood.railfan.net/ri/ri199abp.jpg

And here are some photos after modifying the shell.

[CP_8530]

Nice unit, I always had a thing for the Rock's Bankrupcy Blue scheme.