GE B23-7 Phase 1 Locomotive
(Standard DC)

CSX  No. 3103

Dash It All!

General Electric’s “Dash 7” locomotive line was introduced as a replacement for the older “Universal-Series” of the 60s and early 70s.

“Dash 7” series improvements included increased fuel efficiency, tractive effort and reliability.

The B23-7 was a direct replacement for the 2,250HP U23B model, while the B30-7 replaced the 3,000HP U30B.

The first B23-7s were produced for Conrail in September, 1977, and the first B30-7s were produced for Frisco three months later.

B23-7 production continued through 1984, with a total of 535 units built.

Conrail was the largest purchaser of the model, with a total fleet of 141 units.

199 B30-7s were produced through 1981, with the combined fleets of Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt being the largest at 110 units.

Several features distinguished B23-7s and B30-7s from predecessor models.

The long hood stepped outward in the area of the exhaust stack to accommodate a relocated oil cooler.

In addition, the frame was 2 feet longer than that of the U23B.

An FB-2 style truck was offered as standard equipment, but some railroads opted to use “trade-in” trucks.

Therefore, AAR type B and Blomberg trucks could be found on some models.

Six power assembly doors (located near the center of the long hood) indicated that the B23-7 was powered by a 12-cylinder GE FDL engine.

Eight power assembly doors in the same location help to identify the B30-7, which included a 16-cylinder FDL engine.

• NMRA 8-pin plug for DCC
• Separately-applied scale detail parts include: windshield wipers, metal grab irons, coupler cut levers, multiple-unit hoses, snow plow, train line hoses, fine scale handrails, and more
• See through step detail on sill
• Etched metal radiator grilles
• Painted crew members
• Factory-equipped with AccuMate® knuckle couplers
• Coupler pocket designed to accept AccuMate® Proto-couplers
• Five-pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels for optimum performance at all speeds
• Directional lighting

Optional/road name specific details:

• Pilots with and without anti-climber
• Cab headlights or low-nose headlights
• Cab with 4 or 2 side windows
• Bell mounted under the sill or on the long hood
• FB-2, AAR type B, or Blomberg truck side-frames used where appropriate per road name

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