Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

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This review was taken from the July, 2001 issue of Model Railroad News and is reproduced with permission of Lamplight Publishing, Merlin, OR.

Atlas' N B23-7

Review by Mike Lindsay

Atlas’s newest N scale locomotive is a departure from the workhorses of EMD that have dominated the model manufacturer’s recent offerings. Now available is General Electric’s B23-7 diesel locomotive.

Atlas has accentuated its willingness to offer N scale locomotives that are highly detailed and prototype specific with the B23-7. The list of undecorated models alone is staggering, with a total of six different body variations being offered.

The B23-7

The first B23-7 was built in General Electric in 1977. The locomotive’s FDL-12, 12 cylinder engine is rated at 2,250 horsepower. The distinctive carbody of the B23-7 can be identified by its wide radiator, and six power assembly access doors that are just forward of the step in the long hood. The step is a result of relocating the oil cooler. Originally located vertically at floor level in earlier units, the oil cooler was raised and angled in the B23-7. This was done to allow the oil cooler to drain and prevent freeze damage.

Unless a trade-in truck style was used, either AAR or Blomberg type B trucks, GE’s B23-7 was originally delivered with floating-bolster (FB) style trucks. Changes that occurred during production include the extra fixed-position side cab windows. These side cab windows were eliminated in later production units, and many locomotives that were built with them have since had them plated over.

The larger, fatter exhaust made its debut in April of 1979. However, not all units produced after that date had the new manifold. Conrail units built between June and September 1979 were equipped with the original style exhaust. Between 1981 and the end of production, GE adopted a taller exhaust manifold on domestic B23-7s. The taller exhaust stack accommodates exhaust silencer baffles.

The locomotives could also be equipped with an anticlimber pilot. Southern, and later Norfolk Southern, operated units equipped with high, short hoods.

Conrail received the first order of B23-7s. Other roads to operate the locomotive include: Santa Fe, Louisville & Nashville, Southern, Seaboard Coast Line, Western Pacific, Southern Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, CSX, and Norfolk Southern. Production of the B23-7 ceased in December of 1984. In total, 411 were produced for American roads, 125 for Mexico. Many are still in service today.

The Atlas B23-7

Along with the correct anticlimber, battery boxes, trucks, and rear headlight, Atlas’ B23-7 also features two or four cab side windows depending on the prototype. Both low, and high short hood models are available. Low, short hood models include: Santa Fe (Warbonnet), BNSF (green and orange), Conrail (blue and white), CSX (gray, blue, and yellow), Southern Pacific (Bloody Nose), and Union Pacific (yellow with multi-colored herald). High, short nose units are available for Norfolk Southern (black and white, and Southern (black and imitation aluminum). Two numbered, and one unnumbered unit is available per roadname.

The six undecorated B23-7 versions Atlas is offering include: fat anticlimber, knuckle battery box, FB-2 trucks, low nose, flat rear headlight; fat anticlimber, buttons battery box, AAR trucks, low nose, flat rear headlight; fat anticlimber, buttons battery box, FB-2 trucks, low nose protruding read headlight; thin anticlimber, buttons battery box, Blomberg trucks, low nose, flat rear headlight; thin anticlimber, knuckle battery box, FB-2 trucks, high nose, protruding rear headlight; and thin anticlimber, buttons battery box, FB-2 trucks, low nose, protruding rear headlight.

Molding of the model’s shell is clean and crisp doors, hinges, and latches are subtle but well represented. Grills and screens are also nicely done. Atlas has also replicated the recessed jack pad under the cab on one side of the locomotive. Hand rails are super fine. No longer is there a need to replace factory plastic with brass wire.

Among the details of the new model are cab sunshades and factory-installed, AccuMate, magnetic knuckle couplers. The couplers are body mounted, and check out fine with a Micro-Trains coupler height gauge. Rapido style couplers, retainers, and springs are also included.

The Southern Pacific model reviewed is properly equipped with floating-bolster style trucks. The FB trucks feature a single brake cylinder and motion damper, and is quite nicely done. The Espee model is also outfitted with drop steps and extra side cab windows, all proper for the prototype.

The Atlas locomotive is equipped with a very tall exhaust stack, similar to those used on 1981 and later units. This is inaccurate for at least the Southern Pacific models. Other roads may be incorrect as well, as all photos posted on Atlas’s web site seem to show this tall stack. (Atlas’ included instructions illustrate two styles – small and medium). This is not a real issue for those wanting to correct the stack as it is a separate, factory installed item. With a little effort the stack can be removed, shorted for the right roads, then simply glued back in place.

For the most part, painting and lettering is up to Atlas’ latest standards. Espee owned only 15 B23-7 locomotives (#5100-5114). The GE locos were mainly relegated to working the southwestern lines, including one in Texas and those of the Cotton Belt.

The dark gray and red of the Bloody Nose scheme is well applied and hides none of the model’s molded in detail. The model also features painted hand rails at both ends. The SP version features safety labels and warnings on the long hood, sill, and subbase, which adds to the overall sense of outstanding detail. The rear numberboards of the SP unit are painted over, following prototype practice.

A disappointing feature of the model’s paint is the dark color used for the Southern Pacific on the long hood of the model, as well as the roadnumber on the cab. This would perhaps be fine for a weathered model, but I prefer to weather by own equipment.

The five pole, skewed armature motor is equipped with dual brass flywheels. The open case motor is housed in the typical split metal frame. Brass worm gears turn the plastic drive gears in each truck. The trucks feature blackened metal wheels, which match NMRA requirements.

The locomotive model operates well, with a starting voltage out of the box of 1.4 volts @ 0.07 amps. Scale speed at this low voltage is approximately 10 mph. Twelve volt speed is excessively fast. The locomotive does produce gear noise louder than most recent N scale releases.

Traveling around 9-3/4” curves and through Atlas snap switches proved no problem for the little locomotive. Weighing in at 2.5 ounces, our sample B23-7 workhorse chased its tail with 24 empty hopper cars (all equipped with Micro-Trains’ trucks) on a level oval of track.

Like N scale locomotives of past years, this new model is offered in two variations: one with a factory-installed Lenz decoder, and the other with a PC board which can be replaced for conversion to DCC. The standard PC board provides directional lighting. The directional headlights are visible at around 3-1/2 volts.

Despite its audible gears, Atlas has released a very fine example of modern N scale motive power with the B23-7. Now entering into production of quality General Electric locomotive models, Atlas is remaining one tough act to follow in N scale.

General Electric B23-7 diesel locomotive

Retail price: $99.95 DCC ready; $134.95 Decoder equipped