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

Burlington Northern

BN Cabless B30-7AB:


Finally, we arrive at what modelers have been waiting for: BN B30-7A’s. Or are they B30-7AB’s? B30-7B’s? Some goofy nickname you’ve heard? To GE, despite completely lacking a cab, bell, or horn, there are also a B30-7A: because they are a 3,000 hp 12-cylinder model. In the cashed strapped 80’s BN saw the price of a large locomotive order without cabs and though the savings were worth it. (Crews may vehemently disagree!)


BN ordered the units in two batches. The first 53 units in 1982 were as if a usual 4-axle Dash-7 forgot to have a cab, with blank space where it would be. Originally, they came with 4 grilles on the rear, which 2 of our numbers will offer. By the late 80’s, those grilles had been updated the common 7-grille arrangement, which our other two numbers will offer. The second order for 67 units in 1983 came with some entirely unique features reflecting their late build date. The dynamic brake section was raised to accommodate different equipment, identical to a design on a small, specific batch of NS C36-7’s also had. Similarly, the 7-grille arrangement in the rear is also like those late-production C36-7’s, two large horizontal stacked panels instead of one.

No matter which cabless unit you order, they were essential, unavoidable power on BN in the 80’s and 90’s. Countless intermodal, manifest, and non-coal unit trains across the system would feature whatever unit with a cab leading, with cabless B’s trailing – often as the only trailing power. Despite lacking a cab, bell, and horn, these still have complete lighting and working tri-color class lights!


BN

B30-7A | Road Numbers: 4000-4052

• Phase III B30-7A with a 3,000hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• 4000-4052 built in 1982: “Twinkies”, smooth roofline
• No cab, no horn, no bell
• Two rear grille arrangements: #4000, 4039: 4-grille delivery
• Two rear grille arrangements: #4005, 4044: 7-grille retrofit, late 1980’s+
• Raised rear numberboards
• Lower rear class lights
• Front class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames with large casting holes
• Rotating Timken bearings

B30-7A | Road Numbers: 4053-4119

• Phase III B30-7A with a 3,000hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• 4053-4119: built in 1983, raised dynamic brake section
• No cab, no horn, no bell
• 4053-4119: Rear with unique 7-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Lower rear class lights
• Front class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames with large casting holes.
• Rotating Timken bearings

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