Introducing the complete Phase III GE 4-axle Dash-7 collection from Rapido! It’s a mess, and that is how GE made it. In late 1976, GE introduced the Dash-7 line, which consisted of dozens of internal updates to its Universal series model range. The most obvious external changes are that all Dash-7 models have a wider section of the hood ahead of the radiators, and feature protruding wings for the radiator section.

Like the C36-7, other changes to the 4-axle Dash-7 were made incrementally. The six-axle Dash-7’s always retained the same wheelbase, while the four-axle models feature not one, but three wheelbases identified in three phases which apply to each model.

In production by GE from 1977-1984,

• B23-7: GE 12-cylinder FDL diesel engine rated at 2250 HP
• B30-7: GE 16-cylinder FDL diesel engine rated at 3000 HP
• B30-7A/AB: GE 12-cylinder FDL diesel engine rated at 3000 HP
• B36-7: GE 7FDL 16-cylinder diesel engine rated at 3600, 3700 or later 3750 HP

Identifying phase features of the B23-7 and B30-7:


Phase I:

• Overall length of 62’ 2”, and truck centers of 36’2 2”.
• These truck centers are the same as the predecessor universal models, but those had a shorter overall frame. 

Phase II

• Same 62’ 2” overall length but change to wider truck centers of 37’ 2” by shifting the rear truck backwards, eliminating the space between the stepwell and truck at the rear.

Phase III

• Rapido's Dash-7 series in this release covers the Phase III models.
• Overall length is a foot shorter – 61’ 2”
• Truck centers 36’ 8”. Visually, this gives the appearance of the trucks being balanced and centered, without major gaps at the end.

Phase III design features begin in 1981, and additional orders for B23-7’s (MP, NdeM, Southern, Santa Fe and B30-7’s (Chessie/C&O) were built with the revised design features. ATSF, MP, and Southern units are defined most by their road-specific order details.

• Phase III B23-7, B30-7 and B30-7A — A first with correct details and accurate dimensions
• The unmistakable cabless B30-7A, with and without dynamic brake hump
• Insane amount of details such as: Step and walkway lights as well as 3-color class lights

HO Scale B23-7, B30-7, B30-7A Locomotives Features:

• “Phase III” details for the wide variety of Dash-7 4-axle models
• Headlights and rear lights
• Tri-color class lights (where applicable)
• Ditch lights (where applicable)
• Lit numberboards
• Walkway Lights
• Step lights
• Full traction motor casing details
• Rotating bearing caps
• Metal brake chain on engineer’s side
• Detailed underbody piping and conduit
  Separate grab irons
• Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
• Detailed cab interior
• Lighted control stand
• Heavy, die-cast weight for heavy hauling
• 5-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels
• Sound-equipped units feature ESU LokSound V5 decoders
• Many road specific details – see table
• Suggested minimum radius: 18"

Road Specific Details

Minnesota Commercial B30-7 & B36-7:


Most B36-7’s were built from 1981 onwards and feature Phase III specs except 4 early units delivered to the SSW in 1980 (these were essentially B30-7s with B36-7 internals). To celebrate America’s 250th, this release includes Minnesota Commercial #76, which was repainted in an America 250 scheme in late 2025. This B36-7 model comes with all the upgraded features of this project like step lights, walkway lights, rotating bearing caps and correct CSX style step wells.

MNNR

B30-7 | Road Number: 49

• Phase III B30-7 with a 3,000hp 16-cylinder engine
• Correct 16-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Eight tall hood doors for the 16-cylinder engine
• Built as C&O 8293 in 1981, formerly CSX 5575
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• Blanked class lights on nose
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Adirondack FB-2 truck frames
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front ditchlights
• Rear ditchlights
• Digital fuel gauge
• Air dryer
• Plow
• Knuckles on rear pilot

B36-7 | Road Number: 76

• Phase III B36-7 with a 3,600hp 16-cylinder engine
• Correct 16-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Eight tall hood doors for the 16-cylinder engine
• Built as SBD 5884 in 1985, formerly CSX 5884, TTI 5884
• Rear hood has 7-grille arrangement
• Ex-SBD Close clearance walkways
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• Blanked class lights on late nose with no headlight box
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front ditchlights
• Numberboard beacons (non functional)
• Roof antennas
• Digital fuel gauge
• Air dryer
• Plow

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