The General Electric 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 what were called 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 foot 2 inch 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

Additional Features:

* 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

Atlas Master Series Silver Additional Features:

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

Atlas Master Series Gold Additional Features:

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

QSI Quantum System Features Including:

(Atlas Master Series Gold locomotives only)
* 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!

Note: Due to the higher starting voltage required to operate the sound system, it is not possible to MU a non-sound-equipped loco in DC (analog) mode

Body Style:

Note 1: Phase 2 sill, with anticlimber and nose headlight
Note 2: Phase 2 sill, with anticlimber, without nose headlight
Note 3: Phase 2 sill, without anticlimber, with nose headlight
AccuMate couplers are made under license from AccuRail, Inc.