A General Electric U33B is the latest diesel locomotive to join the Master Line from Atlas Model Railroad Co. The newly-tooled model features prototype-specific details, a Scale Speed motor, and body-mounted Accumate couplers.
Prototype history
General Electric produced the U33B from September 1967 until August 1970. During that time 137 locomotives were built. The four-axle unit was rated at 3,300 hp and was equipped with a FDL-16 diesel engine.
The sample we received is decorated as Rock Island No. 193, part of the railroad’s 190 through 199 series. This group of diesels was delivered in May 1969. In addition to the 190-series, Rock Island had two other batches of U33B locomotives. Units 290 through 299 joined the railroad’s diesel fleet between July and September 1968. Engines 285 through 289 came on the property in January 1969.
Model features
Construction of the N scale GE U33B follows other Atlas N scale diesels. The injection-molded plastic shell consists of the body, cab, and sill unit. Separate, factory-applied details on the Rock Island model include a snow plow, uncoupling levers, brake wheel, antenna, and air horn. The grab irons on the nose and cab are freestanding. Those on the back of the long hood are molded.
Four round depressions on the inside of the shell (two on each side) fit over raised nubs on the die-cast metal chassis. Gently rocking the shell while lifting up was all it took to separate it from the chassis.
The chassis on the U33B is divided horizontally. The motor and flywheels are centered in the bottom half of the chassis. The upper half of the chassis, attached with screws, spans the motor and flywheels. On top of that is the motherboard, secured with two screws.
Wires from JST plugs are soldered to wheel wipers. The plugs are connected to headers on the bottom of the motherboard. These wires transfer power from the rails to the board. A third set of wires runs from a JST plug on top of the board to the motor contacts.
Measuring up
The sample we received is decorated in Rock Island’s maroon-and-yellow scheme. The paint is smooth and evenly applied, with crisp separation lines between colors. The herald on the front of the short hood is well executed, and the white printing is opaque. There are a few small voids in the road name, but those could easily be touched up.
The placement of the door latches on the long hood varied a bit from the full-size 193, but hardly what I’d consider a deal breaker. Details like Automatic Car Identification panels, cab sunshades, and windshield wipers were omitted. They’d be easy to add with decals and aftermarket parts as appropriate.
Prototype drawings of the GE U33B were published in the 1970 Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice (Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp.) The model’s dimensions closely follow published data.
I tested the Atlas model at the workbench with an NCE Power Cab. At step 1, the four-axle unit moved at 1 scale mph. At step 28, the model achieved a top speed of 77 smph, within the prototype’s speed range. Rock Island’s U33B diesels had a 79:24 gear ratio and a maximum speed of 83 mph
For real-world testing, I had the U33B pull a freight train and switch the yard and gravel quarry on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route. The diesel had no problems navigating the 18″ radius curves and No. 6 turnouts.
In addition to the GE U33B, Atlas offers a GE U36B decorated for Auto Train and Seaboard Coast Line. Head over to your favorite Atlas dealer to pick up one of these diesels for your model railroad.
Facts & features
Price: Direct current model with speaker, $159.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $274.95
Manufacturer
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Ave.
Hillside, NJ 07205
shop.atlasrr.com
Era: 1967 to 1990s (varies based on paint scheme)
Paint schemes: Rock Island, Penn Central, and Reading & Northern. Two to three road numbers per paint scheme.
Features
• Body-mounted Accumate couplers, at correct height
• Metal wheel stubs on plastic drive axle gears, in gauge
• Weight: 2.6 ounces
