Atlas, HO scale, GE U30C

A powerful model of a General Electric U30C six-axle heavy-duty road switcher is now available ready-to-run with and without Digital Command Control (DCC) decoders. Like earlier Atlas HO models, the decoder-equipped locomotives can be switched between digital and analog (DC) modes.

General Electric manufactured U30Cs from November 1966 to September 1976, producing 600 total. Twenty railroads purchased the 3,000-hp C-C units, with Burlington Northern acquiring the largest fleet (181).

One locomotive, many looks. General Electric made several production modifications to the U30C. The March/April 1994 issue of Diesel Era magazine lists the three production phases:

• Phase I (1966-early 1967) featured a carbody with the entire long hood the same width.
• Phase II (late 1967-1968) sported a wider radiator section with a small fairing blending it into the hood. Either smooth or corrugated radiator screens were used. [Atlas has also announced a Phase II U30C coming in HO. – Ed.]
• Phase III (1969-1976) covers 550 of the 600 U30Cs built. General Electric removed the fairing on these units to reduce production costs and used only corrugated radiator screens.
• Phase I and several Phase II models had truck sideframes cast by Adirondack, while a few Phase II and the majority of the Phase III U30Cs rode on GE’s floating- bolster trucks cast by both Adirondack and General Steel Castings.

Our review sample, decorated in Burlington Northern colors, represents a Phase III U30C. The model closely matches prototype drawings published in the Simmons-Boardman 1974 Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia.

Atlas’ U30C comes almost ready-to-run; the only parts that need to be installed are the end handrails, drop steps, cab sunshades, and firecracker antenna. All these parts (except for the antenna) can be press fit into place. However, I used a drill bit and pin vise to ensure the holes were completely open and then secured the parts with liquid plastic cement applied from the inside.

Smooth performance was evident from the locomotive’s steady slow speed to a scale 78.6 mph at 12 volts. It produced a drawbar pull equivalent to 76 free-rolling freight cars on straight, level track.

The model has neatly applied paint with crisp separation lines. There was a little black overspray on the right side of the long hood.

I was impressed by the sharp lettering, especially on the various labels on the sides of the carbody, including Fire Extinguisher Inside, Danger 600 Volts, and Emergency Fuel Trip. Fantastic!

In addition to the quality painting and printing, the model also features several factory-applied detail parts, including wire grab irons, windshield wipers, and plastic side handrails. The bell was painted to look like polished brass, but it should have been black to match BN practice.

Despite the few painting flaws, Atlas has done a fine job on its U30C model.

HO GE U30C

Price: $109.95 each; $139.95
with DCC decoder

Manufacturer:
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Ave.
Hillside, NJ 07205
www.atlasrr.com

Description:
Plastic and metal locomotive

Features:
Adriondack floating-bolster
trucks (with and without bearing
caps as appropriate)
Detailed crew figures
Die-cast metal underframe
Directional lighting with golden-
white light-emitting diodes
Drawbar pull: 5.4 ounces
Engine weight: 19 ounces
Five-pole skewed armature motor
with dual flywheels
Minimum radius: 18″
Scale 40″ RP-25 contour nickel-
silver wheels, in gauge
Snowplow
12-wheel drive, electrical pickup
Windshield wipers
Wire grab irons

Road Names:
(two numbers each)
Burlington Northern, CSX,
Louisville & Nashville,
Milwaukee Road, Norfolk &
Western, Rock Island, Union
Pacific, and unpainted