Is the U28C Hornsby new announcement, or old?

[OldEastRR]

I would think though it's like the U25 this loco needs a new mechanism to accommodate the gear tower of the 3 axle trucks. Tho logically it would follow that U30 and maybe later U-series shells could be made for the 6-axle frames.

[jagged ben]

I believe that early production prototype U28Cs looked the same on the outside as the U25C.   So the only things that distinguish these from the earlier Arnold run of U25Cs are the road numbers.   I think the U28C announcement is a few months old now, but all this has happened in the last year or so.

[drgw0579]

Yea, and I don't think its going to be the correct style for a Penn Central U28C.  But it will be for a PC U25C.  The 5 PC modelers in N scale will really love these.

Was hoping they'd do another run of U25C's and offer a PRR version.  Oh well, a 3rd tier roadname shouldn't expect any attention.

Bill Kepner

[jmlaboda]

Ron Bearden would be able to tell you the exact differences between the U25Cs and the early U28Cs but the difference is quite small.  The Phase II U28Cs on the other hand were very different.

[nkalanaga]

The NPs U28Cs were all Phase I models, and almost indistinguishable from U25Cs.   At least one source says that the NP, and earlier the CB&Q, ordered them in U25C bodies, because they wanted them all alike for easier maintenance.  Seems odd, but they did order them that way, for whatever reason. 

The last three of the 12, 2809-2811, were uprated by GE to 3,000 horsepower, effectively making them the first U30Cs.  But they were still U25Cs on the outside. 

Now all we need is a U33C and NP modelers will be set for the late 60s.

[jmlaboda]

At least one source says that the NP, and earlier the CB&Q, ordered them in U25C bodies, because they wanted them all alike for easier maintenance.  Seems odd, but they did order them that way, for whatever reason.

Ya take what you can get...

[nkalanaga]

Makes it easy for NP modelers, as we only need one model.  The paint was the same too, so I could use all U25Cs and just change the numbers.  Modeling the early BN the numbers have to be changed anyway, so it doesn't matter.

[u18b]

I'm not up on the exact differences-- if any between phase 1 U28C and the earlier U25C.

I guess this should almost be thought of as the "second run" of the U25C.  since it is the road number that will identify the U28C.

[nkalanaga]

From "The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide":  "The first U28Cs were indistinguishable in appearance from late U25Cs."  They only show one version of the U25C, so it's possible that any difference between them were road-specific.

So, if your road had both, one is available in this run, and you need a U25C, all it should need is a new number. 

I believe the Kato U30C was the later version, so there is still room for the Phase II U28C/early U30C, which would be a natural for Kato, since it used the more modern trucks.

[C855B]

... I believe the Kato U30C was the later version, so there is still room for the Phase II U28C/early U30C, which would be a natural for Kato, since it used the more modern trucks.

Don't forget that some of the Phase II U28Cs had Adirondack trucks, with UPs having the AD-1 version. Kato does the later GSC Flexicoil-knockoff trucks.

The Minitrix U28C model had the Adirondack AD-1 trucks.

[johnb]

From "The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide":  "The first U28Cs were indistinguishable in appearance from late U25Cs."  They only show one version of the U25C, so it's possible that any difference between them were road-specific.

So, if your road had both, one is available in this run, and you need a U25C, all it should need is a new number. 

I believe the Kato U30C was the later version, so there is still room for the Phase II U28C/early U30C, which would be a natural for Kato, since it used the more modern trucks.

the Kato U30C is a phase II....and Kato numbered their model as a phase I......yet the SP had both

[Jesse6669]

Here's a nice guide to the differences between the U28C phases:


http://dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thread/15529/guide-u28c

[nkalanaga]

Mike:  Interesting.  I never noticed the difference.  To me, they were "not Trimounts" and "not Flexicoil", and I left it at that.

Jesse6669:  So the NP and CB&Q U28Cs, while still "U25C bodies", were NOT identical, and the Q's two batches weren't identical to each other.  That's what I meant by "road specific details"!  Very useful website, thank you.

[drgw0579]

Thanks for the dieseldetailer link.  I learned why Hornsby mostlikely  didn't offer the U25C in PRR paint:

Note: All PRR and L&N units #1500-1517 had extended range dynamic brakes applied.  This can be identified by the longer box at the rear of the walkway. Which required three handrails stanchions instead of the normal two and with the ladder being half length.
  None of my PRR books ever pointed this out.  The vendor DID get it right!

.   I might check with them to see if extra shells or parts might be available so I could kit bash it.  Has anyone had to contact Hornsby for parts?  Maybe an Atlas U25B sill might could be adapted.

It's funny.  If they did offer a PRR version, the SPF's would be complaining all over.  But if they offer a PC version, they probably won't hear a peep.

Bill Kepner

[reinhardtjh]

It's funny.  If they did offer a PRR version, the SPF's would be complaining all over.  But if they offer a PC version, they probably won't hear a peep.

Bill Kepner

What is this "PC" thing you speak of?  And why should I care about it's locomotives?