General Electric U30C

[buzz456]

I have my monitor at home way brighter than the one at work and a lot of pictures on the forum look pretty dark at work and look just fine on the one at home. Just try turning your monitor lighter and see how that looks.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

It isn't exactly cheap at TaD, and there is no discount apparently for returning VLC customers from outside the US. Or am I mistaken?
As an avid COARW fan and player, these units are a must have, but ....
What trucks are these?

The 3D renders seem to indicate the released model has different trucks from the C&O pictured.

[buzz456]

3312cs-c&o.jpg

[buzz456]

.There were two styles of trucks on the C&O U30C. Adirondack and GSC trucks.

[buzz456]

GSC and Adirondack trucks.jpg

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Some U30C rosters: http://www.trainweb.org/jaydeet/u30c.htm
Description of U30C "phases": http://trainiax.net/mephase-geuc.php

So C&O 3301 is a Phase 1b:

While C&O 3312 is a Phase 2a:

Now I want both! Both different trucks at least.
There were 5 kinds of floating bolster truck used under Co-Co U-boats!
However, C&O 3301's trucks aren't explained here: http://www.hosam.com/ge/getrk.html
What mysterious brand are they?

What phase is the VRC locomotive, or is it a hybrid?

[Bananarama]

However, C&O 3301's trucks aren't explained here: http://www.hosam.com/ge/getrk.html
What mysterious brand are they?

Those sure look like FB-3 Adinrondacks, 3rd image on the page: "AD2LES-Two low brake cylinders, shocks above end wheels."

[JerryC]

The VRC U30C that is Chessie and Conrail is a "generic" phase 1. The Chessie's came from the C&O, and the Conrail units from Penn Central and Reading. The major notable differences are the U28 style rear radiator section with the top extension, and the KC-type control stand. The control stand that is represented in the model is only one of several KC-types that were in use at the time. The trucks are pretty much the same as the U30C saw in Illinois, however theirs is a later type and uses only one high-brake cylinder per side. Some folks, especially at that other train sim, complain about accuracy in the models, when the fact is that even the prototype railroads don't have locomotives that are the same from unit to unit. To model each and every different small feature in each phase would be ridiculously time prohibitive, and I can guarantee you that DTG won't do it.

It isn't exactly cheap at TaD, and there is no discount apparently for returning VLC customers from outside the US. Or am I mistaken?

At Trains and Drivers, the U30C and the GP40 are $20 USD PLUS the European VAT tax. I will not absorb the VAT tax, as that would double taxing. I already pay Fed and State on what I make here in the U.S, and in Europe I also pay TandD a distribution fee. It would also not be fair for the U.S. folks (and also anti-competitive) if I allowed it to be sold abroad for less than what it is here. And as far as a discount for returning customers - never heard of that one. I'll ask Tesco that the next time I go there. Don't you think you get enough of a discount by getting a good locomotive with two liveries, freight cars, QD and Career Scenarios, and a repaint kit?

[Chacal]

IIRC, each time I bought something from TaD, a VAT tax was added at first, but when I got to the actual payment this was removed, presumably because I don't live in Europe.

[BoostedFridge]

For what its worth, Trains and Drivers have a automatic discount based on volume of purchase. 2% off for orders over 20 Euro ($21.58 USD) and 5% for orders over 50 Euro ($53.96 USD). So if you're buying one of these units, you're already getting a slight price break.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

However, C&O 3301's trucks aren't explained here: http://www.hosam.com/ge/getrk.html
What mysterious brand are they?

Those sure look like FB-3 Adinrondacks, 3rd image on the page: "AD2LES-Two low brake cylinders, shocks above end wheels."

They are indeed! But probably an early series, mainly used under U28C's and those phase 1 U30C that still had the U28C radiator section.
Here is a good picture of them, with the AD casting mark and telltale casting holes at the ends clearly visible.
Lots of other details as well, enhanced by the characteristic silver paint UP used on its locomotive trucks.

Are those cables attached to the journal boxes for wheelslip detection? I suppose the speedometer cable was on the engineer's side.

Of course VRC cannot model every phase and variation, but trucks different from the existing 7 and 8 series GE locomotives available in Railworks would make the VRC U-boats stand out even more.

I remember seeing an introductory discount mentioned on this board but suppose I must be glad the locomotive is available outside of the US at all.
Now some good reviews and detail photos of the locomotive might persuade my wallet so spend my remaining November 2015 gaming allowance on this instead of saving up for that expensive H.O.T.A.S. system for Elite and DCS flying simulators come Christmas.

[JerryC]

One of the smartest PR moves ever by an American company was when Santa Fe let every toy train manufacturer on the planet paste it's image on their products. Anyone from my generation who had a toy electric train set probably had one of these paint schemes in their toy box! It's a shame though that the company child does not follow the efforts of the father.

2015-11-13_00001.jpg

[buzz456]

I know I will need to weather this before I release this however I thought I would post quick picture before I get down and dirty with this beauty.

Screenshot_Adriana County _48.29645--110.93308_08-16-06.jpg

Screenshot_Adriana County _48.29314--110.93236_08-14-54.jpg

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Continuing with GE FB3 trucks, this is another Adirondack truck, probably of the second release:

There still was no traction motor hanger casting at the inner ends connecting the side frames, those came later? Probably around the same time the EMD Dash 2 locomotives came about which rode on HT-C trucks.

[Bananarama]

I thought I would post quick picture before I get down and dirty with this beauty.

Hubba, hubba!