U18B in HO?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m interested in modeling a MEC U18B in HO for my layout. I found an article on MR’s site on kitbashing one from an Athearn BB U30B but I know that Lionel also manufactured one a while back which I’ve seen from time to time on ebay. Does anyone know anything about the Lionel model, IE what type of motor it has and how well it would convert to DCC?

Thanks!

Jason

2

Jason,

If you can hold your horses for a few months, I believe that Intermountain is producing a RTR version of the U18B.

Nate

3

ah, great news, do you know where we might find out more info, I have heard rumors of a production model, but so far just rumors. Hope they follow through and we can get a production U18B

thanks for the info. Jim

4

Check their website. There should be something on it or try to contact them from the site.

underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

5

Thanks for the info, I checked their website but didn’t see anything about an upcoming release so I sent them an e-mail.

6

According to my hobby dealer sources, Intermountain in currently in preproduction on the “baby boats” as we call them in SCL country - this is of great interest to us because they ran all over the Tampa division. Here is a shot of the shells:

ETA is fall 2007.

7

IM showed test shots at the last NMRA National, see MR’s coverage for more.

Regarding conversions, Jim Six mentioned that if he did one now, he’d start with an Atlas U23B, not the Athearn model - but he woould wait for the IM model instead of doing a conversion.

The Lionel model is not good; not even on par with the Bachmann and Life Like trains set locomotives. If you replace the cab, short hood, long hood, walk ways, steps, chassis, motor, drivertrain and trucks, it is okay - but then you have nothing left of the Lionel model… :slight_smile:

8

Just as an update, InterMtn now has info on there site about upcoming release of the U18B, with some spec.s and paint schemes, due out this fall, They do look nice.

Jim

9

This is one I did 20 years ago, I work at GE and actually built the real thing. Mine is not that great so I’m looking forward to the Intermountain unit.