GE U18B
Encyclopedia
The GE U18B Diesel-electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation
as a branch line roadswitcher in 1973.
Easy to spot due to its relatively short length — 54 ft 8 in — it was the only North American locomotive powered by the 8-cylinder
7FDL engine.
The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
(SCL) bought 105 U18Bs, far more than the second-best U.S. customer, the Maine Central Railroad
(MEC), which ordered 10. Most of the SCL and MEC U18Bs rode on refurbished Blomberg
trucks, recycled from old EMD locomotives, making the U18B even more visually distinct from other GE locomotives.
Many railfan
s refer to the GE Universal Series locomotives
as "U-Boats." Due to its smaller size, the U18B received the nickname "Baby Boat."
Not many U18Bs still exist, but some shortline
railroads, such as the Pickens Railway
, still have several U18Bs in everyday service.
GE included information about a B18-7 locomotive (which would have followed the U18B) in its 1978 "Series-7 Road Locomotives" service manual, but none of these updated units were ordered, sold, or built.
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
as a branch line roadswitcher in 1973.
Easy to spot due to its relatively short length — 54 ft 8 in — it was the only North American locomotive powered by the 8-cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
7FDL engine.
The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad was a former Class I railroad company operating in the Southeastern United States beginning in 1967. Its passenger operations were taken over by Amtrak in 1971...
(SCL) bought 105 U18Bs, far more than the second-best U.S. customer, the Maine Central Railroad
Maine Central Railroad
The Maine Central Railroad Company was a railroad in central and southern Maine. It was chartered in 1856 and began operations in 1862. It operated a mainline between South Portland, Maine, east to the Canada-U.S...
(MEC), which ordered 10. Most of the SCL and MEC U18Bs rode on refurbished Blomberg
Blomberg B
The Blomberg B was a "B" diesel locomotive truck. These trucks were the standard EMD four wheel truck from the FT up until the GP60. EMD introduced the truck in 1936. Unofficially it is named after Martin Blomberg, who joined the company the year before...
trucks, recycled from old EMD locomotives, making the U18B even more visually distinct from other GE locomotives.
Many railfan
Railfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
s refer to the GE Universal Series locomotives
GE Universal Series locomotives
The GE Universal Series locomotives were diesel locomotives launched by GE in early 1956.Initially, there were nine U-series models: U4B, U6B, U9B, U9C, U12B, U12C, U18B, U18C and UD18B. They were designed to be readily adaptable to different track gauges for export markets. The U5B and U8B...
as "U-Boats." Due to its smaller size, the U18B received the nickname "Baby Boat."
Not many U18Bs still exist, but some shortline
ShortLine
Short Line is a brand name for three different Coach USA companies, Hudson Transit Lines, Hudson Transit Corporation, and Chenango Valley Bus Lines that provide local, commuter and intercity bus service in lower New York State, primarily along the Route 17 and Southern Tier corridor.-Service...
railroads, such as the Pickens Railway
Pickens Railway
Pickens Railway is a shortline railroad operating on two separate divisions in the Upstate Region of South Carolina:* Easley to Pickens: * Anderson, through Belton to Honea Path:...
, still have several U18Bs in everyday service.
GE included information about a B18-7 locomotive (which would have followed the U18B) in its 1978 "Series-7 Road Locomotives" service manual, but none of these updated units were ordered, sold, or built.
Original Owners
| Railroad | Quantity | Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Central Railroad Maine Central Railroad The Maine Central Railroad Company was a railroad in central and southern Maine. It was chartered in 1856 and began operations in 1862. It operated a mainline between South Portland, Maine, east to the Canada-U.S... |
10 | 400–409 |
| Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México, was Mexico's state owned railroad company from 1938 to 1998, and prior to 1938 a major railroad controlled by the government that linked Mexico City to the major cities of Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Juárez on the U.S. border... |
45 | 9000–9044 |
| Providence and Worcester Railroad Providence and Worcester Railroad The Providence and Worcester Railroad is a Class II railroad in the United States. The railroad connects from Gardner in central Massachusetts, south through its namesake cities of Worcester and Providence, Rhode Island, and west from Rhode Island through Connecticut and into New York City... |
1 | 1801 |
| Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Seaboard Coast Line Railroad The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad was a former Class I railroad company operating in the Southeastern United States beginning in 1967. Its passenger operations were taken over by Amtrak in 1971... |
105 | 250–261, 300–392 |
| Texas Utilities | 2 | 101–102 |
External links
- Sarberenyi, Robert. GE U18B Original Owners