Bowser MLW C630M

[MLW]

Anyone has first hand experience with this loco?

It seems the internet is 50% divided with people who (a) absolutely love it, and (b) people who absolutely hate it: box with a badly damage body, poor motor performance and overall gross QA.

I saw one at my LHS, running on an oval and it was great, sound was awesome and was pulling a string of cars no problem [ of course ].

I had him put one aside for me. Of course I'll inspect it first before I bring it home.

Now with all these people on the net complaining about it, how possible can it be that there seem to be so many badly damage loco with so many issue including poor performance floating around?

Seems strange...

 

[NYSW F45]

of the video's i've seen everyone seems to love it but just hate the crappy lighting it has.

 

[MLW]

Not the one I've seen in person at the LHS. Lighting was ok, not crappy

unlike IM SD-40W2 Now that was a major lemon/dud.

Anyways here's something I got from the yahoo group I belong too.

Had a great talk with Lee English, Bowser owner at Trainfest in Milwaukee over the weekend. I told him how well his new C630's have been received. He's going to announce many new Canadian locomotives in the future (I was sworn to secrecy). One problem they have had, was with the handrails. This is because to keep them small and well detailed, they were made out of plastruct material, not delrin. This makes them more fragile but means they can be glued and painted with no problem. He also has replacements coming in should anyone need them. He and other manufacturers are taking notice of the quantity of these engines that were sold and how important the Canadian market is to the industry at the moment.
I traveled with the NFR NMRA 'Crafter's Corner' guys all that are incredible modellers and great guys. Special mention has to be made that Neville M. from the group won the Chairman's award for best model in show, incredible train station (on Horizon Hobby you tube channel) and the S scale Workshop guys that traveled with us, Pete M., Andy M., and Jim M. as they won Chairman's award for best layout in show. Canadians take the hardware home from one of the top train shows in the USA! Well done all!
Bob

 

[DaveTheTrain]

Well I for one hope Bowser does more Canadian models. I have 3 of the C630Ms and I rate them a 9 out of 10. Yes, the lighting isn't the best but it could be a lot worse. Mine run very smooth - almost as good as an Atlas! Some details are incorrect (like dynamic brakes on the CN models) but overall they've done a great job on a model that was only available in brass before. I'm a happy camper!

 

[zoegraf]

I've seen some lately. Some with warped walkways especially near the cab; front and back of it. Also some sloppy assembly issues and residual glue stains on the cab and crooked side-shades that can be straightened with due care. Great details though. I saw one run and it ran slow and smooth, but a bit noisy, which doesn't bother me.
QC is a big issue nowadays and for this reason, I prefer to inspect it in person before I buy it. This always isn't possible and it seems a gamble to pre-order, but what can one do? I ordered one and will weather the poop out of it to hide any flaws.

It's not 100% prototypical, but the best stand-in for now. Forgot to mention, excellent paint job.

 

[cv_acr]

About 3 or 4 members of my club ordered these units, and they started to arrive just in time for our operating session last weekend. 3 units were placed in service for the session and all 3 looked and ran great. They just need a little weathering to get them into a more in-service appearance, especially the marroon & grey unit which really needs to have it's paint savaged, as the last ones to get repainted in the mid-1970s were really nasty looking at the end.

 

[PEIR]

I have four and they arrived with no exterior damage. Put decoders in all four and two worked flawlessly. The third had no lights after the decoder install (haven't had time to diagnose) while the fourth had two wires broken off. One off of the rear truck and the other off of the nose circuit board. I re-soldered both wires and now have a dead short. I will spend some time on the two trouble makers this weekend to see if I can get the bugs worked out.

The drive on the two that run seems to be smooth and quiet, quite comparable to either Atlas or Kato. I haven't hooked them to a coal drag yet but will get them broken in this weekend to see how they pull.

As for the details I am pleased with the overall appearance but wish the CN units from #2002 forward and CBNS didn't come with dynamic brakes and removing them without stripping and repainting the shell doesn't seem possible.

Right now I'd rate the 7 out of 10 and will update when I get the other two running.

 

[zoegraf]

I have four and they arrived with no exterior damage. Put decoders in all four and two worked flawlessly. The third had no lights after the decoder install (haven't had time to diagnose) while the fourth had two wires broken off. One off of the rear truck and the other off of the nose circuit board. I re-soldered both wires and now have a dead short. I will spend some time on the two trouble makers this weekend to see if I can get the bugs worked out.

The drive on the two that run seems to be smooth and quiet, quite comparable to either Atlas or Kato. I haven't hooked them to a coal drag yet but will get them broken in this weekend to see how they pull.

As for the details I am pleased with the overall appearance but wish the CN units from #2002 forward and CBNS didn't come with dynamic brakes and removing them without stripping and repainting the shell doesn't seem possible.

Right now I'd rate the 7 out of 10 and will update when I get the other two running.

Are the units numbered under #2002 suppose to have dynamic brakes?

Please keep us posted on how you work out the bugs.

 

[PEIR]

Are the units numbered under #2002 suppose to have dynamic brakes?

Please keep us posted on how you work out the bugs.

For the CN units only 2000 and 2001 came with dynamics so they are incorrect on anything numbered from 2002 - 2043 came without them. The CBNS got 2003, 2015, 2016, 2029, 2032, 2035, 2035 & 2039 and they were repainted into the black and yellow scheme. 2022 and 2038 came later and were stripped for parts while 2028 was used as a trailing unit and retained CN colors so no dynamics on them either.

I'll update what it takes to get the trouble makers running properly.

 

[zoegraf]

For the CN units only 2000 and 2001 came with dynamics so they are incorrect on anything numbered from 2002 - 2043 came without them. The CBNS got 2003, 2015, 2016, 2029, 2032, 2035, 2035 & 2039 and they were repainted into the black and yellow scheme. 2022 and 2038 came later and were stripped for parts while 2028 was used as a trailing unit and retained CN colors so no dynamics on them either.

I'll update what it takes to get the trouble makers running properly.

Thanks. I ordered no.2001.

I noticed some photos of CN M630s without the horns on top of the bell in 1972 and with horns on top of the bell in 1979. Do you know what year the horns were moved up to the top of the bell. I model 1974 and can't find a photo of one in 1974.

Also, could you direct me to an image that indicates if a diesel has dynamic brakes? Modelling diesels is fairly new to me.

 

[PEIR]

Thanks. I ordered no.2001.

I noticed some photos of CN M630s without the horns on top of the bell in 1972 and with horns on top of the bell in 1979. Do you know what year the horns were moved up to the top of the bell. I model 1974 and can't find a photo of one in 1974.

Also, could you direct me to an image that indicates if a diesel has dynamic brakes? Modelling diesels is fairly new to me.

Here is a great resource for pics of the CN C630M's http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=8073 Not sure when the horn was moved to the bell mount location. Pics on the above site may help you.

On the C630M's there are two vents and a hatch between the cab and air filter box on units that do have dynamics.

 

[zoegraf]

Here is a great resource for pics of the CN C630M's http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=8073 Not sure when the horn was moved to the bell mount location. Pics on the above site may help you.

On the C630M's there are two vents and a hatch between the cab and air filter box on units that do have dynamics.

Thank you very much. It looks like the horns were moved in 1973. Great shots and a good reference for weathering. One of the shots was taken in the area I model.

Cheers!

 

[CBCNSfan]

Neat site I didn't know about that one thanks for the link, it will be useful in the future.
Photos at that site
2003 March 31st 1972
http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=8091
Note horns above the aftercoolers

2003 Apr 13th 1978
http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=45989
Note horns now above the bell

2003 May 21st 1991
http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=8094
Horns not visible (in fact they are now in the rear on the fireman's side)

2003 May 21st 1991
http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=45994
Horns now visible

In 1993, 2003 was sold to the CB&CNS along with six or seven more and the horns were all in the rear location.
My models of some of them are at freewebs http://cbcnsfan.webs.com/mlwc630ms.htm
All the MLW's (630's and RS18's) of the CBCNS were scrapped in the mid 90's and cut up with torches for junk value, excepting one RS 18 that was donated to a museum.

Cheers
Willis

 

[zoegraf]

Anyone has first hand experience with this loco?

It seems the internet is 50% divided with people who (a) absolutely love it, and (b) people who absolutely hate it: box with a badly damage body, poor motor performance and overall gross QA.

I saw one at my LHS, running on an oval and it was great, sound was awesome and was pulling a string of cars no problem [ of course ].

I had him put one aside for me. Of course I'll inspect it first before I bring it home.

Now with all these people on the net complaining about it, how possible can it be that there seem to be so many badly damage loco with so many issue including poor performance floating around?

Seems strange...

Just got my C630M (DC model) and am not impressed with it. It doesn't move only hums and the lights go on. Also not impressed with the sloppy application of the details. Will have to return it.

I miss the days you could go to a hobby shop and test run what you want to buy. Ordering is such a gamble nowadays.

 

[PEIR]

I just got both of my troublemakers running. The unit with no lights was decoder related. I had it laying around for awhile and it IIRC I had an issue with it in another unit. Installed a new decoder and it works flawlessly. Unit #2 had a dead short. Originally I had to solder two broken wires and when I put the shell back on I broke one again. I soldered it again and that unit also runs perfectly. All four sound and pull equally well and look terrific together.

Yesterday two more arrived that I plan on stripping and repainting for my home road. One has sound (My first) and I think that I am now on the sound bandwagon. I think it is well done and I think a trio on a coal drag would sound awesome.

Of the six I bought

2 - CN Stripes
2 - CBCNS
2 - A&M (to be stripped)

One CN had the light issue but I blame that on a faulty decoder and the CBNS had two broken wires. Perhaps I pulled too hard on the shell when I was taking it off or maybe they were already broken before I can't say for sure. None of the units had any damage to the details and none were knocked off in the box. I got two units from one dealer and the other four from another in a total of 3 separate shipments so I wonder those people who had damaged units stems from actual shipping damage or poor packaging? I would not have an issue picking up more of these units when funding allows and I am looking forward to the upcoming run of C636's. I reserved the three Cartier units two with sound.

 

[PEIR]

I saw one at my LHS, running on an oval and it was great, sound was awesome and was pulling a string of cars no problem [ of course ].

I had him put one aside for me. Of course I'll inspect it first before I bring it home.

Did you end up getting one?

Just got my C630M (DC model) and am not impressed with it. It doesn't move only hums and the lights go on. Also not impressed with the sloppy application of the details. Will have to return it.

I miss the days you could go to a hobby shop and test run what you want to buy. Ordering is such a gamble nowadays.

Sorry to hear you had issues with your unit. Are you going to return or exchange it?

 

[zoegraf]

Did you end up getting one?




Sorry to hear you had issues with your unit. Are you going to return or exchange it?

The place I bought if from won't take it back. Told me to deal directly with Bowser. I'm waiting on a reply from Bowser.

It looks like I need the motor replaced. I hope they will mail me one with the flywheels on it. I don't want to go through the hassle of shipping across the border, etc. Also I can reinstall the crooked and bent details on the roof. I can live with the shell after that.

 

[zoegraf]

Does anyone know why the front light is green on the C630M?

 

[PEIR]

The place I bought if from won't take it back. Told me to deal directly with Bowser. I'm waiting on a reply from Bowser.

It looks like I need the motor replaced. I hope they will mail me one with the flywheels on it. I don't want to go through the hassle of shipping across the border, etc. Also I can reinstall the crooked and bent details on the roof. I can live with the shell after that.

That sucks that they won't take it back but not surprising in today's world.

GIve us an update when Bowser replies to your email.

Does anyone know why the front light is green on the C630M?

I noticed my lights had an odd color as well. There was something posted on another board about there being an extra resistor for the headlights possibly causing the lights to be dim.

 

[zoegraf]

That sucks that they won't take it back but not surprising in today's world.

GIve us an update when Bowser replies to your email.



I noticed my lights had an odd color as well. There was something posted on another board about there being an extra resistor for the headlights possibly causing the lights to be dim.

I'll keep you posted.