GE’s original B30-7 had a 16-cylinder 3000 horsepower FDL prime mover. After manufacturing 199 of the B30-7’s, GE switched to a 12-cylinder 3000 HP, launching the B30-7A variant of the original model. The Southern requested beefed-up dynamic brakes on the B30-7A. In order to accommodate the additional braking capability, blower equipment was relocated in the long hood, and the B30-7A1 was born. The Southern bought the entire production of 22 B30-7A1’s.
Here one of the B30-7A1’s works with a Norfolk Southern GP50, backing to make a pickup near the wye to the former N&W in Lynchburg, Virginia. That load, seen to the left of the photo, is N&W 2-6-6-4 1218, waiting to be turned for the return to Alexandria.
Selected photos of locomotives, passenger cars, and rolling stock in the Southern's livery as well as other assets once belonging to or used by the Southern.
