Reskined by BTVFD with permission from Nelson C Godden.(dragonharh)
The General Electric BQ23-7 is a type of rebuilt (or modified) four-axle 2,250hp diesel locomotive specially built for the Seaboard Coast line railroad (later CSX) in the 1980s.
Only 10 were built, and were all scrapped due to being full of flaws
GE experimented with wide-cabs or 'safety cabs' on diesel locomotives during the 1980s to improve safety for head-on collisions and to provide better views for train crews on long and heavy freight trains throughout the US. But because of cabooses (or breakvans) were still in-use during the 1980s in the US on freight trains, GE decided to build a unique 'quarters' cab for their diesel locomotives to provide a better view for crews, and to eliminate the use of a caboose on freight trains. Hence, the development of the BQ23-7; a B23-7 with a 'quarters' cab. (The 'Q' stands for 'quarters'.)
They, however, were disliked by crews, and were relieved when the first commercially successful wide-cab diesel locomotive; the GE C40-8CW; was introduced, which replaced the need for the BQ23-7, and thus being converted into 'B-units' by CSX on their mainline trains.
But because of the fact that CSX no longer likes having B-units assigned to mainline trains, they were eventually assigned to road-slug and yard slug service, and finally scrapped by 2001 due to no longer being needed due to dislikes by employees and train crews.
EMD trucks were also equipped on all units for smoother traction, yet they often made the BQ23-7s run slower even at full power.
Handbrakes were also installed on the inside, yet they were never really used due to having dynamic brakes.
Since most GE Dash 7 locomotives tend to take longer to get to full speed, the BQ23-7 actually took the longest due to the weight of the cab.The interior of a BQ23-7.
Because of how large most train crews were up until the 1980s, BQ23-7s were equipped with 5 seats for crews like a caboose as opposed to having 2 on every other diesel locomotive.
The BQ23-7 was often nicknamed the 'ugly duckling' by most railfans and railroad employees.
Тип: Кабина