Few, if any, U30Cs are still in service, but at least one is on exhibit at the Illinois Railway Museum.
What’s in the box
The O gauge MTH Premier Line model looks terrific. The short, rounded nose is business-like, with the standard air and control lines on the pilot. The uncoupler arm is black with white safety accents on the ends. You’ll find white accents on the steps of the pilot and on the edge of the decks.
The handrails are finely done and are painted green, save for the white sections alongside the steps.
The short snout has running lights on the nose, two fine wire grab irons on both sides of the top, and a sand spout.
The cab is illuminated and has two crew figures and separately applied door handles. The forward and rear cab windows have wiper arms installed. The cab door is a separate piece.
Just below the window on the engineer’s side, you’ll find a step (presumably for a window washer). Of course, on the side of the nose is a brake wheel.
The cab features crew figures, illumination, and sunshades. Just above the cab’s front windows are the headlights and number boards, and on top of the cab roof is a strobe. Also topside, you’ll find an add-on radio antenna, add-on air horn, and exhaust stack.
The cast-in details are first rate. Of note are the louvers about 2 inches behind the cab and those farther back near the rear of the model. They are so deeply cut that I initially thought they were see-through (they were not).
The screen on top of the roof’s rear lifts off and hides the smoke and volume controls as well as the three-to-two-rail conversion controls. The rear face of the locomotive has backup and marker lighting, illuminated number boards, and add-on grab irons leading up to the roof.
On the test track
This model was able to prove itself a champ by digging in and hauling the longest trains on the dirtiest track on my layout. In the world of train operation, that’s where the money is. This model is a typically robust MTH six-axle stump-puller. Our drawbar pull was an impressive 3 pounds.
Our low-speed average was 1.9 scale miles per hour, and the high-speed average was 65.7 scale miles per hour.
As we noted with the Lionel Train Master in the previous review – this model has the flange-blank-flange wheel configuration. Unlike Lionel’s locomotive, this model is identified as requiring O-42 or wider diameter track for running.
Operation was quiet, and the U30C was very responsive. This model has all the usual MTH features: ProtoSound 2.0, coil couplers, a smoke unit, and three-to-two-rail conversion capability.
Controls for the conversion as well as the smoke and sound units are located beneath the rear screen, which is held on magnetically.
The sound system was good. When the system starts up, you hear a wheezing sound that evokes the image of some giant starting to awaken, suggesting “Stand Back! Big Things are About to Occur Any Second Now.”
Way cool. This would have been nifty to have been loaded in the Flying Yankee (May 2009 Classic Toy Trains). Non-prototypical, but neat.
The smoke unit output will probably require you to buy some carbon credits for long-term operation.
Another two-thumbs up to MTH for capturing a heavy freight-hauler that can pull a heavy load, and looks and sounds terrific doing so.
Price: $429.95 (no. 20-2778-1)
Features: O-42 operation, two can-style motors, ProtoSound 2.0, coil couplers
Staff comments: This model captures the original’s hulking appearance and tireless pulling power, but green classification lights on the low nose would have been a pretty unusual sight when this prototype was in service. White lights were the norm. – Carl
would like to get it
This is one of the many premier models I have recently purchased.
MTH has done an excellent job at recreating this famous U-boat.
I have the BN version; which I frequently lash-up to my MTH BN SD 24. With the lash-up standing still; and then using my MTH DCS labor rev up button; to increase the prime mover sounds, with the smoke unit activated, makes for one of my favorite operating scenarios, as the screaming locomotives are gaining momentum.
Respirators are needed for this kind of action. MTH's U 30C is a fine piece of craftsmanship.
I just bought this engine in NS along with the Dummy unit. It is a winner, has great sound and pulls real well. Ido like the start up of the engine with all the cool noises. Well done MTH.