Kato U33C conversion

[Bruce Archer]

Hi All!
     Here is my latest D&H redo. It represents U33C 754. It was made from the Kato U30C and the radiator from a Bachmann U36B. The entire model needed to be repainted as Kato does a very poor job matching the grey in the plastic trucks and walkways and the paint on the body. A Sunrise Enterprises (now gone, too bad as they made nice detail parts) nose headlight mount was added, Polly Scale paints were used( D&H Grey and D&H Avon Blue) along with Microscale decals
     Unfortunately the Kato U30C is the wrong phase for both the U30C and U33C, and I just did not feel like modifying the radiator area of the model.
     Any questions...ask.

Bruce

[dandopinski]

Nice! I have a couple of Kato U30Cs that I want to convert to 33s or 36s. The Bachman donor is a great idea.

[GhengisKong]

C30-7 is probably the better radiator donor, but you did a good job

[basementcalling]

Nicely done.

This radiator section off Shapeways looks promising, but I have not ordered it and have no idea how it would print. It might save a C30-7 shell.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/WZEQN7ZSC/u33c-radiator-and-hood-end-1-160?optionId=301326870&li=shops

[Skeebo]

     Converting Kato U30C's into 33s or 36s is a quick and easy project. In years past, I made up an ATSF U33C, U36C and three SP U33Cs, all made with transplanted Bachmann U36B radiators. But as SP owned 212 of them,  I recently decided it wasn't enough, so I made up another four SP U33Cs this time using Kato C30-7 radiators as they look better than the old Bachmanns. The Shapeways offering is tempting as it looks to be quick and easy, but as they have number boards on the rear and the SP didn't have them I made my own radiators. I also am not satisfied with the quality of the even the higher quality option shapeways shells. But then I'm finicky.

      Jim

[randgust]

I managed to get a C30-7 shell to destroy for my conversion.   And when it's ATSF blue on the long hood, you really can't distinguiish a whole lot of detail on doors and grills, but yeah, you have to put in the big radiator.



Link:  http://www.randgust.com/U36C%20871404.jpg



Link:  http://www.randgust.com/U36C%208714%20Flagstaff%20sm.jpg

This and another couple of locomotives are the only ones on my layout that are truly 'sticky paint fresh' as they were being delivered in the summer of '72.   The U36C's were on the cover of the 1972 annual report, and they also had the reputation of being the only order delivered from GE in three separate paint schemes in the first order; pinstripe, warbonnet with the yellow steps and blue pilot, and with the all yellow pilot.  Then by 74 they got silver trucks.

[dandopinski]

    Converting Kato U30C's into 33s or 36s is a quick and easy project. In years past, I made up an ATSF U33C, U36C and three SP U33Cs, all made with transplanted Bachmann U36B radiators. But as SP owned 212 of them,  I recently decided it wasn't enough, so I made up another four SP U33Cs this time using Kato C30-7 radiators as they look better than the old Bachmanns. The Shapeways offering is tempting as it looks to be quick and easy, but as they have number boards on the rear and the SP didn't have them I made my own radiators. I also am not satisfied with the quality of the even the higher quality option shapeways shells. But then I'm finicky.

      Jim

Great work Jim. Where did you get the SP detail parts from?

[fcnrwy23]

I have done ONE U36C, but I used a Atlas BXX-7 Radiator...

Jerry G.

[nkalanaga]

Mine were done MANY years ago, with long out of production N Scale of Nevada resin shells.  I suspect that the masters used Bachmann parts, but never got around to asking.

[mecgp7]

I've done a handful. I wanted the paint to match the Kato U30Cs and SD45. I used the radiator from a C30-7. Pic below is one paired with the stock Kato U30C.


I did the solid blue unit with an NSN U33/36C shell.