Review

Atlas continues its run of impressive diesel models that are based on General Electric prototypes with these HO scale B23-7 and B30-7 locomotives. Both the high-nose B23-7 (Southern) and low-nose B30-7 (Burlington Northern) feature sharp detailing and smooth operation.

GE introduced the 2,300-hp B23-7 and 3,000-hp B30-7 in the late 1970s to compete with EMD's successful GP38-2 and GP40-2. GE's "Dash 7" line featured upgraded electrical, power and traction components compared with the company's earlier U-series locomotives. GE built more than 530 B23-7s from 1977 through 1984, with 199 B30-7s built from 1977 through 1981.

The Dash 7 locomotives look similar to earlier GEs, but can be differentiated from their predecessors by the outward step in the long hoods near the exhaust stack. The 12-cylinder B23-7 can be identified by its six tall power assembly doors on each side of the hood; the 16-cylinder B30-7 has eight doors in that location.

Road names: B23-7: Family Lines (L&N), Providence & Worcester, Southern Ry. (high nose), Norfolk Southern (high nose), undecorated; B30-7: Burlington Northern, Chessie System (C&O), St. Louis-San Francisco (red and white), undecorated.