New Paint Schemes!

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.

There were three distinct “phases” of GE 4-axle “Dash 7” locomotive production. Our models on this run represent "Phase 2" units with a 37' 2" wheel base. Phase 2 production lasted from the Spring of 1979 through the Fall of 1980.

Features:

The Atlas B23-7 and B30-7 locomotive models include such optional/road name specific details as:
• 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

• 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

• NMRA 8-pin plug for DCC (Decoder-ready)

• Electronic Dual-Mode® Decoder (e-DMD) that allows your locomotive to run in DCC or traditional DC

• Dual speaker system
• Authentic diesel engine sounds
• Squealing brakes
• Doppler effect
• Air let-off in neutral
• Coupler impact sounds when operated with DCC
• Helper mode that mutes the whistle and bell for double heading
• And more!