GE U18B

GE U18B

A Maine Central Railroad U18B, on lease to the short-lived Niagara and Western New York Railroad, July 2002
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	GE Transportation Systems
Model	U18B
Build date	March 1973 – October 1976
Total production	163
AAR wheel arr.	B-B
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
Length	54 ft 8 in
Prime mover	GE 7FDL-8
Cylinders	8
Power output	1800 hp
Locale	North America
Disposition	some still in service

The GE U18B Diesel-electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation as a branchline roadswitcher in 1973, featuring an 8 cylinder FDL engine. This locomotive is easy to spot due to its relatively short length: 54 ft 8 in.

The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL) was the primary North American buyer of the U18B, purchasing 105 units, followed by the Maine Central Railroad (MEC), which ordered 10 units. Most of SCL's and MEC's U18Bs rode on refurbished Blomberg trucks, recycled from old EMD locomotives, making the U18B even more visually distinct from other GE locomotives.

Many railfans refer to GE's Universal Series locomotives as "U-Boats." Due to its smaller size, the U18B received the nickname "Baby Boat."

Not many U18Bs still exist, but some shortline railroads, such as the Pickens Railway, still have several U18Bs in everyday service.

GE included information about a B18-7 locomotive (which would have succeeded the U18B) in their 1978 "Series-7 Road Locomotives" service manual; however, the updated unit did not generate any orders and none were built or sold. Additionally, no other North American locomotives have used the 8 cylinder FDL engine since the U18B was discontinued.

References

• Sarberenyi, Robert. GE U18B Original Owners.
• GE Transportation. Locomotive Service Manual for Series-7 Road Locomotives (Section 1).
• GE Transportation. Operating Manual - Diesel-Electric Locomotive - GEJ-3856C (1973).