U50c or BB

[traingeek087]

Does anyone have any photos of U50C or U50BBs? I'm thinking about modeling one and I just really love the locomotive.

[AntonioFP45]

YAHOO! [:0][:D][8D]

After some intense searching I was able to find a U50BB! ( I've always liked these oversized 5,000 horspower GE U-Boats too!)

Go to www.railfan.net

Here's the tricky part. On the locomotive category, leave it as it is
(All Locomotives)as the U50 is not listed! Go to select railroads, click it, scroll down to Union Pacific and select it. Then go towards the bottom where it says "Sort by". Click on "Most Popular First". LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE INTACT!

Click on "Find the Photos". When it goes to the page, you will see a row of numbers at the top. Click on 15. It will take you to that page. You'll see U50 #37 towards the bottom of the page. Interestingly enough,when you see the photo's "i.d" category it's apparent that the photographer didn't know what type of locomotive this is . Go figure! Enjoy!

While you're at it, explore the other pages as well as you may find some more! According to my info, only the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific owned these giants.

One more thing. If you're modeling HO, the U50 was produced in brass some years back in the late 80s or early 90s. You might be able to find some for sale on e-bay. They can be expensive.

An HO U50 was also produced in the early 70s. This version supposedly ran rough "Like a Rock Crusher" as my LHS rep stated. If a modeler happens to find one for sale, it could likely be remotored and reageared with an NWSL kit from a Model Railroad dealer.

There were also plastic models produced in N scale more recently. These might still be more commonly available. [:)][;)]

God Bless, Amigo!

[Anonymous]

I happen to own a U 50C in brass by ALCO models. It is a rock crusher, and thats being polite. I also have a GE turbine with BB+BB wheels and its worse than the U50. But i'm still looking for an ALCo C855 BB+BB to complete my collection of double engine diesels [bow]

[traingeek087]

The U50s were built from some old gas turbine parts left over from the scrapping. That is why the trucks look so alike -- cause they're the same trucks. I don't know the exact day they were built but I do know they were scrapped in 1974. Southern Pacific acquired three of these units and rumor has it they didn't like them at all. They were two U25Bs but together, not suprising for Union Pacific --- (seems they liked everything BIG).

[AntonioFP45]

TrainGeek087

Did you find the photo on Railfan.net? Thanks for the good info on the U50s![:D][8D][;)]

Drailed1999.

It's great that you have these rare brass HO models! If you have a layout that you regularly run these locomotives on and you don't intend to ever sell them, why don't you consider repowering them with the high quality Mashima brand of motors? If the locomotive trucks are noisy, there are high quality gears sets and brass flywheels now available also from several companies in the Walther's catalog. NWSL would be a great starting point! [8)][;)][:D][^]

Go to your search engine and type in NWSL or North West Shore Line. Once you get to the website, call or e-mail and tell them exactly what you have. They do answer e-mails, just give them a few days. They may have a combination that may make the "rock crushers" into smooth runners you can be glad to show off!

If you'll pardon just one more suggestion: Go over to the Model Railroader Forum,- General Discussion category and post any questions that you have about repowering locomotives brass model locomotives or if any modelers that have repowered their units can post their success stories. There's plenty of talent on the MRR Forum![swg][tup]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Drailed1999.

It's great that you have these rare brass HO models! If you have a layout that you regularly run these locomotives on and you don't intend to ever sell them, why don't you consider repowering them with the high quality Mashima brand of motors? If the locomotive trucks are noisy, there are high quality gears sets and brass flywheels now available also from several companies in the Walther's catalog. NWSL would be a great starting point! [8)][;)][:D][^]

Yeah but the thought of $140 + worth of motors is out of my price range at this moment, never mind the cost of the re-gear kits. All four of my brass locos have KMT tower gears and they're a little pricey.[:(!][V]