GE BQ23-7
Encyclopedia
The GE BQ23-7 was a model of diesel locomotive
manufactured by General Electric
, a variant of the B23-7
built between 1978 and 1979 (the 'Q' stood for "Quarters"). Identical to a regular B23-7, but equipped with an enlarged operating cab for accommodating the train crew, thus making a case for eliminating the caboose
from the rear of freight trains. SCL 5130-5139 were the only ones built. Following a practice dating back to SAL
U30B's
of 1966-67, SCL's 10 BQ23-7's and 30 standard B23-7 were delivered riding on reconditioned Blomberg trucks
from EMD trade-ins.
Only ten were built, all for the Seaboard Coast Line railroad, (originally numbered 5130-5139). CSX later inherited these locomotives, operating them into the late 1990s. These have come to be nicknamed 'Aegis Cruisers
' by some railfans, due to the boxy shape of the locomotive resembling the superstructure of the guided missile cruiser.
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
manufactured by General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
, a variant of the B23-7
GE B23-7
The GE B23-7 is a diesel locomotive model that was offered first by GE in 1977, featuring a 12 cylinder engine. It is 61 ft 2 in long. It competed with the EMD GP38-2. General Electric also produced a variant, the BQ23-7, for the Seaboard Coast Line.Ten Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México...
built between 1978 and 1979 (the 'Q' stood for "Quarters"). Identical to a regular B23-7, but equipped with an enlarged operating cab for accommodating the train crew, thus making a case for eliminating the caboose
Caboose
A caboose is a manned North American rail transport vehicle coupled at the end of a freight train. Although cabooses were once used on nearly every freight train, their use has declined and they are seldom seen on trains, except on locals and smaller railroads.-Function:The caboose provided the...
from the rear of freight trains. SCL 5130-5139 were the only ones built. Following a practice dating back to SAL
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad , which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad whose corporate existence extended from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line...
U30B's
GE U30B
General Electric's U30B was a further development of the U28B locomotive, with a 3000 horsepower 16-cylinder prime mover. It remained in production for over eight years. The U30B competed with the EMD GP40 and the ALCO Century 430, but was not as successful at the GE U30C.-External links:*...
of 1966-67, SCL's 10 BQ23-7's and 30 standard B23-7 were delivered riding on reconditioned Blomberg trucks
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...
from EMD trade-ins.
Only ten were built, all for the Seaboard Coast Line railroad, (originally numbered 5130-5139). CSX later inherited these locomotives, operating them into the late 1990s. These have come to be nicknamed 'Aegis Cruisers
Ticonderoga class cruiser
The Ticonderoga class of missile cruisers is a class of warships in the United States Navy, first ordered and authorized in FY 1978. The class uses phased-array radar and was originally planned as a class of destroyers...
' by some railfans, due to the boxy shape of the locomotive resembling the superstructure of the guided missile cruiser.