Is the new Arnold U25C the best N scale engine ever?

[spookshow]

Some pics -







You have to remove the couplers (and risk having them fall apart) to get the shell off, which I find somewhat annoying.

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

I asked that same question a while back and Charlie Vlk answered. If you search the forums for Vlk, you'll find out what happened to the Vlk coupler.

Is this quote from Charlie what you are referring to?

"My design was implemented by Hornby. The problem is that the metal spring is both too stiff to provide centering action and still allow opening for coupling and uncoupling, yet it is too delicate for factory or home installation. I want to avoid a plastic spring but that may be the only practical solution in the end. Back to the drawing board!!!"

Based on the above, I'm still not entirely clear as to whether the couplers on the U25C are Charlie's design or something else 

Thanks,
-Mark

[jagged ben]

You have to remove the couplers (and risk having them fall apart) to get the shell off, which I find somewhat annoying.

Cheers,
-Mark

One positive for that design is that it prevents the problem wherein a loose shell rides up and the couplers end up at the wrong height.    On balance, though, I do prefer shell mounted couplers.

Thanks for pics!    Neat that they stuck metal underneath the walkways like the old Atlas/Kato RS3.   That will make it a bit heavier.   Still trying to figure out how that pick-up system works.

[spookshow]

Still trying to figure out how that pick-up system works.

The wheelback wipers have vertical extensions that stick up through the truck towers and wipe up against flexible contacts that extend down from the lightboard.

Cheers,
-Mark

[bbussey]

These new couplers have a copper coiled spring, similar to the MTL couplers. You can see the edge of it if you look at the bottom of the coupler. The question is whether or not the centering nubs are gone, and if so, what design change was implemented to keep the coupler from going off-center.

[delamaize]

Damn thats sexy, too bad it's out of my era......might have to get one anyways.

[wazzou]

I think they forgot to paint the trucks Silver.   

Regarding the NP model, specifically;
There are a number of other paint and or deco issues I see that match the same errors from the HO release. 
Prior to production, the NPRHA did provide all the paint diagrams and color cards to Hornby America.  I am told that paint color and deco corrections will be made in subsequent runs.
I'd say overall, though, the model looks as though it's proportioned very well.

[spookshow]

Until you look under. Wheel back wipers, wires and traction tires. What the hell?

Point of clarification - apart from the windings inside the motor, there are no wires anywhere on this model.

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

I think they forgot to paint the trucks Silver.   

My brightly lit picture doesn't really capture the coloring of the trucks very well. Under less intense light they look more like a light silver/gray. But if they're supposed to be a metallic silver, then no, they sure aren't that.

Cheers,
-Mark

[peteski]

Thanks for the photos Mark. Any chance you woudl be willing to take the truck apart to show the closeup of the gears?  They do look like the Roco-type gears from way-back.  I have Arnold locos with similar gears (probably over 25 years old) where the gear split (from stress around the axle).  If these will have the same problem, this will nto be good.  I'm hoping that there is a thicker shoulder on the gear around the axle.

I'm also puzzled why they used plastic gears on metal axles when another recent Arnold (European prototype) loco I own has metal gears.  Those will not crack!

Lack of wires is impressive (and so is the high component count on the DC board).  That also brings up a question about how the number boards will be lit with a DCC decoder (since 6-pin socket only allows 2 function outputs)?  I suspect those will always be lit using DCC track power.

The electric wipers hanging down the light board look a bit odd, but I'm sure they will adequately perform their function.

The skew-wound motor looks to be the best part of the mechanism.

Overall, to me, the mechanism has a bit of a Bachmann-ish flavor. I'm ducking now!    Also, there seems to be plenty of open spaces they could have filled with metal for better traction (like other manufacturers do). But they instead used traction tires. 

[spookshow]

Overall, to me, the mechanism has a bit of a Bachmann-ish flavor.

It does look a bit like recent Bachmann diesels - with the important difference being no wires soldered to the wheelwipers. In that regard, it more reminds me of the first-run Athearn F59 (a comparison which I believe was mentioned earlier in this thread).

I'm also curious as to how the unique lighting scheme (directional lighting, but with the numberboards always lit regardless of direction) will function when a decoder is installed.

I'll take a look at how difficult it's going to be to get at the truck gears.

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

Damn thats sexy, too bad it's out of my era......might have to get one anyways.

Mike, PM me if you want mine (when I've finished with it). I'll give you the "it's been taken apart" discount 

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

Well, that was crazy easy. The truck sideframes are separate parts that are simply press-fit to the main truck assembly. The bottomplate is held in place with traditional clips.

Behold... the gears!



Cheers,
-Mark

[peteski]

Thanks Mark!  That makes me feel better - the gears have shoulders which should make them less prone to cracking. Still, after having similar plastic gears cracking (on models from multiple companies), I am a bit leery of this design.

Plenty (way too much) lubrication though. Typical on what you see coming from China (where more grease is better). 

[spookshow]

I'm not that worried about the gears or the lubrication. Mine runs flawlessly and I doubt I'll still be walking the planet when/if the gears become an issue.

My minor dislikes are the "gotta remove 'em to take the shell off" couplers, the traction tires (why??) and the "they dislodge from the sidesill whenever you even look at them" handrails.

Hurm, I guess I should stop wasting all my energy here and go write my danged  review

Cheers,
-Mark