GE B23-7 Low Nose w/Headlight, No Anticlimber - LokSound and DCC -- Santa Fe #6396 (Warbonnet, blue, yellow)

The prototype for this detailed Atlas N Scale GE B23-7 was General Electric's competitor to popular EMD four-axle EMD diesels in the late 1970s. The Dash 7 locomotive line was introduced as a replacement for the older Universal-Series of the 60s and early 70s. Dash 7 series improvements included increased fuel efficiency, tractive effort and reliability. The B23-7 was a direct replacement for the 2,250HP U23B model. The first units were produced for Conrail in September, 1977 (ironically, 3 months after the last U23B was delivered to Conrail). Production continued through 1984, with a total of 535 units built. Conrail was the largest purchaser of the model, with a total fleet of 141 units. Several features distinguished B23-7s from predecessor models. The long hood stepped outward in the area of the exhaust stack to accommodate a relocated oil cooler. In addition, the frame was 2 feet longer than that of the U23B. An FB-2 style truck was offered as standard equipment on B23-7s, but som