Stewart Hobbies Alco C628 on curves?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have one of these? How does it handle curves 18" or 22"? How do they run? Any problems? Thanks.
Ted from Ohio.

[Anonymous]

The Stewart C-628 was reviewed by MR June 99. If nobody else responds, I will get out my copy and respond to you tomorrow, Sat.
Chuck-Grand Rapids

[Anonymous]

Directional Lighting, Drawbar pull:3.8 ounces
Only eight wheel electrical pick-up out of twelve wheels, weight 14.8 ounces, Minimum radius:22" NMRA DCC receptable.

According to this June 99 article, this particular model was undecorated and there were four pages of instructions.
Two to explain the kit's assembly, one is a exploded drawing with the parts identified and the last is the chart showing the detailed combinations.
The assembly work consists of window glazing, handrails, horn assembly and brake cylinders.
Under close examination, you'll find numerous drill starting spots, so it's easy to add details that aren't provided in the kit, including grab irons, lift rings, m.u. hoses and uncoupling levers. Runs smoothly and quietly, tops out at 70MPH and can haul 53 cars and straight/level track.

Looks like a lot of add ons.

I see the C-628 & 630 listed for $83.00 each + shipping at Standard Hobby.

[Anonymous]

Charles,

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like a good engine. I have 18" radius track on my small layout. I would like to get it but am worried about the radius. I called Steward Hobbies and the rep at Steward said that there is a small concern on the 18" radius. I was looking for another opion on the issue. Thanks again for the information.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of a way to maybe modify this train so that it can handle 18" radius track while pulling cars? Also how do you get your name to post with the message? I fell stupid not having my name with the post.

Ted from Ohio

[Anonymous]

The procedure may be called increasing the !Truck Lateral Truck Swing!
Stewarts may have exact scale truck spacing + other scale measurements that prohibit modification.
For instance, Athearn deviates from scale on their three axles to make them work on 18".
I think there are other engines out there that are similar to this Atlas model but right now I don't recall the manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

The procedure may be called increasing the !Truck Lateral Truck Swing!
Stewarts may have exact scale truck spacing + other scale measurements that prohibit modification.
For instance, Athearn deviates from scale on their three axles to make them work on 18".
I think there are other engines out there that are similar to this Atlas model but right now I don't recall the manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

CORRECTION: Should have said similar to this Stewart
model.
There are shell similarities between the Alco C628, manufactured years 63-68 and the GE U33C's/36's manufactured years 68-75 & 71-75, both 6 axle.

Perhaps the U's are worth looking at, $35.00 at train world. Assorted road names.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Charles. You have been more than helpful. I appreciate it. I no longer get Model Railroader just Trains. Does Train World have a web site? Who makes the GE U33C's/36's? $35.00 is a pretty good price. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Charles how do you get your name to show up with your posts? I can't find any way to do that.

Ted from Ohio

[Anonymous]

Ted, yes its www.trainworld.com and they have two tel #'s on their page. One is the 800 # for orders only and the second one (not free)is for inquires.

It's an Atlas GE U33/36
The U stands for universal use, the 33 stands for 3,300 horsepower and the C stands for 3 axles. Obviously they upgraded the engine to 3,600.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again. I will check it out. Always looking for good deals on engines.

[Anonymous]

Ted, O often wondered why some do and some don't have a name in their post. There a quite a few that don't.
If the system allows you to re-register, I would try
it and or send an E-Mail to Andy Sperandeo,Executive
Editor of MR who monitors this forum. You might try him at [e-mail]
Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again. I guess that explains it. Makes no sense but I guess that is the system. Once again you have been very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Ok. I ordered one of the Stewart Hobbies C628's through Stadard Hobby Supply. I put on the couplers. Then I set it on the track. I ran it around forward and backwark to break it in. Ran fine, even on the 18" radius curves. Then I hooked it up with various cars. Ran it again, forward and backward. It didn't pull the cars off track on the curves at all. I tried lightweight short cars, heavy short cars, long heavy cars, and lightweight long cars. No problem. So I guess it worked. Charles thanks for all your help. Ted from Ohio.