The GE U18B diesel-electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation as a branch line road-switcher in 1973.[1] It was the only North American locomotive powered by the 8-cylinder 7FDL engine.[2] The U18B was not a popular seller with GE only making about 150 of them, and they were mostly purchased by Maine Central and Seaboard Coast Line.[1] Railroads lost interest in specialized road units entering the 1970s.[1] The U18Bs were noted for having reliability issues and being underpowered.[1] The Maine Central referred to their U18Bs as the independence class and named their units after revolutionary war heroes.[3][1] 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.[4][5]

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2015)

GE U18B
A Maine Central Railroad U18B, on lease to the short-lived Niagara and Western New York Railroad, July 2002
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Electric Model U18B Build date March 1973 – October 1976 Total produced 163
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Length 54 ft 8 in (16.66 m) Prime mover GE 7FDL Engine type V8 4-stroke diesel Aspiration Turbocharger Displacement 5,344 cu in (87.57 L) Cylinders 8 Cylinder size 9 in × 10.5 in (228.6 mm × 266.7 mm) Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors Loco brake Straight air, Dynamic Train brakes 26-L Air
Performance figures Power output 1,800 hp (1.34 MW)
Career Locale North America

Original Owners

See also

• Maine Central
• Seaboard Coast Line

References