The prototype. General Electric introduced the C30-7 in late 1976 to replace the top-selling U30C in GE’s line. Rated at 3,000 hp, the new locomotive quickly proved itself as Western coal traffic boomed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. A total of 1,078 of these locomotives were built, and many still see regular service.
The C30-7 continued GE’s typical U-boat styling, but it had a host of internal upgrades for better performance and improved fuel efficiency. The C30-7’s primary spotting features are its wide radiator “wings” on each side and the extra width in the long hood starting just past the fuel tank.
The early cabs had four windows on each side, but new federal rules in 1980 required projectile resistant glass, so the extra side windows were eliminated. BLI offers both window versions.
Broadway Limited’s model of the C30-7 closely follows the dimensions listed in GE’s specifications published in the Simmons-Boardman 1980 Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia. The model is a scale 67′-3″ long (about 9¼”).
The body is held together by friction latches that snap into place, making it difficult to disassemble the shell without damaging it. This body fits snugly over the metal chassis and is secured by the coupler boxes through the pilots. Railroad-specific details are factory applied.
The handrails are molded in colored acetal plastic, so they’re more durable than their thin cross sections imply.
Our sample C30-7 came neatly decorated in Union Pacific colors. The yellow paint doesn’t obscure the fine detail, yet it still covered well. Numerous red warning labels are printed on the electrical cabinets, but they’re a bit fuzzy.
Special chassis design. This GE model has a heavy die-cast metal frame with a hollow fuel tank that holds the five-pole can motor and flywheels. This lowers the motor and drive train so it just clears the top of the frame.
The six-wheel trucks have low-profile gearboxes. A cast-metal weight fits over the motor with the QSI printed-circuit (PC) board on top. Both 1″-diameter speakers are mounted face down inside the fuel tank. Molded grills underneath allow the sound to be heard.
The C30-7’s drawbar pull is equivalent to 70 free-rolling freight cars on straight and level track.
Electronic capabilities. Like other models with the QSI diesel sound system, this one requires a minimum of 4.6 volts DC to begin operating. This means most DC operation of the locomotive will take place in the top half of your throttle’s speed settings.
Instructions for adjusting the DC starting voltage, maximum speed, and other sound-system functions, are provided in BLI’s comprehensive 58-page instruction manual. In case you have a problem with any of these control adjustments, BLI has built in a simple reset function that uses a magnetic wand to easily restore all of the electronic functions to their factory default settings.
When our C30-7 was set on a DCC layout it immediately started to make realistic sounds of an idling GE engine. These sounds rev up and gain intensity as the throttle is advanced before the model moves, and then they fall off as the speed is reduced so the locomotive seems to coast during deceleration. The air-operated bell is simply excellent, right down to the sound of the air-operated clapper an instant ahead of the bell’s ringing sound.
The horn sounded fine, producing a nice blended chord common on road diesel locomotives.
This well-known prototype GE locomotive is a great-looking addition to the HO diesel stable. The model certainly delivers excellent performance along with its superb, realistic GE sound effects.
Price: $124.99-$264.99 each (see road name list below)
Manufacturer
Broadway Limited Imports
4 Signal Ave., Suite C
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
www.broadway-limited.com
Description
Plastic and metal ready-to-run heavy-duty freight locomotive
Road names
Models without sound
$129.99; Union Pacific units,
$139.99; undecorated,
$124.99 each
Four-window cab: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Norfolk & Western (Tuscan red), Seaboard Coast Line, UP, and undecorated
Two-window cab: AT&SF, BN, Conrail, CSX, Louisville & Nashville, N&W, Norfolk Southern (Black), UP, and undecorated
Models with the QSI Quantum sound system
$249.99; UP units
$264.99; undecorated
$244.99 each
Four-window cab: AT&SF, BN, N&W (Tuscan red), SCL, UP, and undecorated
Two-window cab: AT&SF, BN, Conrail, CSX, L&N, N&W, NS, UP, and undecorated
Authentic GE diesel sounds
Cab interior with clear window glazing
DC units are DCC ready
Die-cast metal frame
Factory-installed QSI Quantum dual-speaker sound system and automatic dual-mode Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder
Five-pole can motor with flywheels
Kadee magnetic knuckle couplers mounted at the proper height
Minimum radius: 18″
NMRA RP-25 contour wheels
Prototype-specific details
Reversing constant headlights
I have 2 (UP) and they run very nicely and I love them. They have hauled 40 car grain train over our Club layout 12 hours a day at our State Fair without a hitch. I'd actually like to find another one to latch up with these two. Sound is very good, speed and running is smooth although they do sound a little loud at running speed.
I love this locomotive. Sound quality is really nice (the horn is great!), and the locomotive actually sounds as if it is doing work. Detail is pretty nice…but may not appeal to true rivet counters. Drive is quiet at slow speeds, but gets noisy when moving at mainline speeds.
I'm getting one. They sound awsome! Hope they are!