Atlas HO 10004292 - Master - Gold Model - GE U30B "Norfolk & Western" #8526 (Block NW)

• Road Name: Norfolk & Western
• Road Number: 8526
• Product Line: Master
• Scale: HO Scale

Features:

• Snow plow (included when appropriate per road name)
• Separately-applied scale detail parts include: windshield
  wipers, metal grab irons, coupler cut levers, multiple-unit
  hoses, train line hoses, fine scale handrails, drop steps
  and more!
• Five pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels
  for optimum performance at all speeds
• Directional lighting with Golden-white LEDs
• Blackened metal wheels

Special Features:
• Optional high short hood
• Optional low nose headlights
• Low nose cab with square or round headlight housing used where appropriate per road name
• AAR-B, FB-2 or Blomberg trucks used where appropriate per road name

Atlas Master Series Gold Features:
• ESU LokSound decoder, supporting all DCC programming modes.
• Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F31.
• Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.
• Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up
  and shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell,
  air horn, air compressor and more.

Overview:

Powered by a V16 FDL prime mover, the 3,000 h.p. U30B was GE’s answer to EMDs popular GP40 and ALCOs C430 Locomotive. GE built a total of 295 U30Bs between 1966 and 1975.

This model represents a “phase 2” U30B locomotive. The primary spotting feature of phase 2 units was the hood below the radiator, which was evenly built out to the same width as the radiator. A U30B could be differentiated from the lower-horsepower U23B by the presence of two sets of four tall engine access doors near the center of the long hood. During production, the U30B was equipped with various trucks, including Blomberg trucks from EMD trade-in locomotives, AAR-style trucks, or GE’s own four-axle “FB2” truck.

Norfolk & Western owned the most phase 2 U30Bs with a total of 75 units; all included a high short hood. Other major owners included C&O, Frisco and Western Pacific. While some U30Bs found homes on other railroads after being retired by their initial owner, very few examples of this model are still in service today.