Proto 2000 Diesel GE U28B - Powered, No Sound -- Louisville & Nashville #2504 (gray & yellow)

GE's "Universal" line of road locomotives was introduced in 1960 with the 2,500-horsepower U25B. These new diesels had a look that made them readily identifiable: a long carbody with curved roof, a low nose with rounded corners, an angled fuel tank and partially curved cab roof. The units were quite successful, but this was the era of the "horsepower race" and railroads wanted more. The GE U28B first hit the rails in 1966 and offered owners a boost to 2,800 horsepower in a versatile road locomotive that was equally at home on fast freights or heavy drags. Early U28s looked like their predecessors, but GE updated the body shortly after production began with a shorter nose and slightly bulging radiator area. This restyled body still retained the "GE look," but with a stubbier appearance. Many units remained in service into the 80s and 90s, and by 2006 only a handful worked for shortline and regional roads. These models are accurate replicas of later