The Gilmaur S U18B and S Get Together

A U18B when American Models offers a U25B???

 

An Alco S1, S2, S3, S4 would make more sense.

I'm in no position to judge as to how and why, but apparently folks have been asking Gilmaur for a U18B for some time.  Here's a comparison between the U18B and U25B.

 

This kit is for a body only.  The user supplies the drive.  Some particulars about the U18B body kit can be read here.

 

Rusty

Well, it's a nice looking model, that's for sure.

 

If I were still in S, I would admire it, but it just wouldn't be a sale for me. I think the U18B was very limited in use (115 total units built) and only two railroads purchased/used them (SCL and MEC). Sure, there could be a meager secondary market for U18B's among a handful of short lines, perhaps, but that's a stretch.

 

IF I were developing new product for a scale that is hurting on almost all fronts for power, I would go with the units that were more wide spread in use and seen more frequently on as many railroads as possible, hence more potential interest/sales.

 

For example, If I'm not mistaken, S scale doesn't even have a readily available plain vanilla GP7 "out of the box". Instead, you have to do a considerable amount of kit bashing in order to turn the AM GP9/18 into the more ubiquitous GP7. GP7's were cranked-out in amazing numbers to an equally amazing list of railroads, yet no readily available model for a GP7 in S scale.

 

And so it goes...

Hi All

 

To answer several of the questions I am involved in the development of this model and have built all the pilot models. The only reason that there is a U18B in S is because there is an O scale kit which could be resized to S and there are suitable drive components, simple as that really.  The kit designer and owner is a chap called Mike Calvert. Mike produces some kits in O and agreed to offer a kit to try the S scale market. The condition was that I had to build the pilot models, make the casting masters and provide feedback on the development. I did this and between Mike and myself we have spent hundreds of hours bringing the kit to market. The nice thing with the U18B is that the casting masters also fit the u23b and u30b which may follow. The O scale kits for these models already, exist. The other reason why we did the u18b was that I was experienced at building this kit in O scale, am fairly knowledgeable about the prototype and also happen to like the loco. As to production numbers, etched brass kits are fairly new to S and numbers will never be high, however as one S scaler to another I am pleased we did this.

 

Colin

"GP7's were cranked-out in amazing numbers to an equally amazing list of railroads, yet no readily available model for a GP7 in S scale."

 

   That's interesting. Living along the SP line I never saw  GP7's so I assumed most roads had followed the SP pattern of buying tons of F3's and F7's then not needing any more locos till the GP9's showed up. I do recall seeing some zebra striped GP7's on trips into ATSF country though. I'm glad to see any new S models but I too have no need for a U18B, I could use an Alco switcher S-1 thru S-4 models...DaveB

I will probably buy one or two depending on the price. They would go on one of my private road rosters, as I don't do MEC or SCL .

DaveB:

 

Sounds like a local thing.  Here in the Midwest the GP7 was the go-to engine for almost all the railroads.  There were something like 2,734 GP7's made. 

 

Yes, there were MORE GP9's at 3,441 US units, but the key thing about the GP7 vs GP9 is the beginning date of manufacture: The GP7 beginning production in 1949 vs 1954 for the GP9.

 

This means the GP7 fits squarely into the all-important "Transition Era" that most modelers still prefer, whereas the bulk of the GP9 sales were made toward the mid-late 1950s, and the "Transition Era" was almost over.  The "Transition Era" was surprisingly short, actually. (The Frisco was done dieselizing by 1954, as I recall, and ended up with 132 GP7's on their roster.)

 

 

"Here in the Midwest the GP7 was the go-to engine for almost all the railroads."

 

   well, modeling the CCT I could certainly use one( or two) as the traction co.  bought two second hand Reading GP7's .....DaveB

The kits are $200 each including shipping,

 

Colin

An SW-1 would be most welcome too. 

An eBay auction for an Oriental Limited brass model closed Sunday evening for >$400. 

Listening MTH?? 

Well shame on me for assuming.

 

I went to the Gilmaur U-18B and S get together that was announced top take place at Des Plaines Hobbies at 3 pm.

 

I assumed the presentation would last until closing. I got there a bit after 4, and it was all wrapped up, and U-18 and presenter gone. 

 

Oh well, there's a couple kits that won't be on my stack of eternal projects. Perhaps I'll bump into an ad down the road with the info, and maybe the mood will move me to purchase then. 

 

I guess I'll chalk this up to just another "S Gauge Experience." Grab for the carrot, get hit with the stick.

 

Quick Casey

 

That was a real shame that you missed the loco, after being at Des Plaines Hobbies, the crowd moved off to the DP Valley club's layout where they test ran it with a train 19-20 cars, by all accounts it ran well. There are a couple of photos taken by one of the group on the yahoo S - List.

 

If you have any questions about the loco or the kit, just drop me a note off line and I'll be happy to answer them.

 

Colin

The U18B was sold to the P&W short line in New England as well as a couple of railroads in Mexico.  It should pave the way to make a bigger U Boat such as the U23B and U30B.  $200 dollars shipping and handling from England for a brass kit.  IMO a reasonable price especially since it is now available where as our choice for late model U-Boat was what?  A plastic toy that need a whole lot of kit bashing?  I say well done Mike and Colin. 

 

Greg

Thanks Greg,

 

This project was certainly a labour of love with hundreds of hobby hours spent to bring it together.

 

Colin

Collin, how can I get a hold of this kit?

Hi Cocker

 

To get one, please email Mike Calvert, the kit designer, mike.calvert(at)btinternet(dot)com

 

Colin

 

Thanks Colin.  I tried but got a message to try again next week. And that was last week may be you can help.  Thanks Steve

Hi Steve

 

Mike was traveling last week, I'll sort it for you, can you contact me soo4513(at)gmail(dot)com

 

Thanks

 

 

Colin

I got my kit and it looks nice.  It is very similar to the O scale U-boats kits he sells.  Mike and Colin did a great job on this kit IMHO.  Now to find time to assemble it.

 

Greg

Hi Greg, I can't recall if I've asked you this before but did you ever get over to the CCT in Lodi in the 80's-90's era? I'm trying to find someone who knows what the Super mold plant on E.Lodi ave looked like ......Thanks DaveBranum

Dave,

Have you contacted a historical society?

Charles Smiley has a DVD with the CCT featured.  Brief videos of the Alco S units running in the late 60's and of plenty footage of Geeps in the late 90's.  Lodi Ave street running too!  Also a mention of the book: The Central California Traction Company.

Did you check insurance maps?

 

 

 Hi OG,  I have the CCT book which is very well done but no photos of super Mold in it. I haven't found an insurance map for Lodi yet but I'll look some more. Super Mold was only at the Lodi ave facility from about 1970 to their closing. I'm not sure when they closed but IIRC another company started a plastic business there in the late 1990's. .....DaveB

Hi Dave,

I missed a lot of the CCT operations during the 80's and 90's so I can't help you on that.  I will ask a friend of mine who lives in Lodi and models in S.  He may have some idea of what Super Mold had for a plant and such.  David Stanley one of the authors of the CCT book might have an idea also.  I hope to see him and his layout this spring and will endevor to ask.

 

Greg

   "David Stanley one of the authors of the CCT book might have an idea also.  I hope to see him and his layout this spring and will endeavor to ask."

 

    Thanks Greg, that would be great. I think Dave would have worked Lodi around the time Super Mold was operating at the E. Lodi Ave site.   Is he having a layout open house this spring? ........DaveB