GE BQ23-7

From TrainSpottingWorld, for Rail fans everywhere

The GE BQ23-7 was a variant of the B23-7 built between 1978 and 1979, the 'Q' stood for "Quarters". Identical to a regular B23-7, but equipped with an enlarged operating cab for accommodating the train crew, thus making a case for eliminating the caboose from the rear of freight trains. SCL 5130-5139 were the only ones built. Following a practice dating back to SAL U30B's of 1966-67, SCL's 10 BQ23-7's and 30 standard B23-7 were delivered riding on reconditioned Blomberg trucks from EMD trade-ins.

Only ten were built, all for the Seaboard Coast Line railroad, (originally numbered 5130-5139). CSX later inherited these locomotives, operating them into the late 1990s. These have come to be nicknamed 'Aegis Cruisers' by some railfans, due to the boxy shape of the locomotive resembling the superstructure of the guided missile cruiser.