The GE U18B diesel-electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation as a branch line road switcher locomotive 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]
Quick Facts Type and origin, Power type ...
GE U18B |
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Type and origin |
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Power type | Diesel-electric |
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Builder | General Electric |
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Model | U18B |
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Build date | March 1973 – October 1976 |
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Total produced | 163 |
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Performance figures |
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Power output | 1,800 hp (1.34 MW) |
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