GE U-Boat (U30C) question

Ralph M posted:

Any GE U30C experts?   I came across this interesting little detail with regard to the placement of the headlight(s). Information I've found talks about 3 separate "phases" of U30C production and the diesel spotters guide notes some of the differences but make no mention of the headlight(s). 

High headlight:

Low Headlight:

Both high & low

So my question is, are these various headlight options indicative of when it was built or did each RR just order them that way?

Thanks,

-RM

IT more than likely was how the RR order them that way from GE. [Atleast the first and LAst Picture] the Second picture could have been done after a rebuild.

I agree that the railroads ordered the U30Cs that way. The next model, the C30-7, came with a cover on the nose that could be used for the headlight in the lower position.

I'm pretty sure  #2 was built that way. That's SBD #7274 which has bought new by L&N in 1971 and numbered  #1580.  Being built in 1970-71 would put it in the middle of production (1966 thru 1976). The earliest photos I can find of L&N #1580 show the headlight like that.

-RM

Ralph M posted:

Both high & low

The lower "headlight" on the Burlington unit is a MARS light. The Burlington (CB&Q) ordered (or eventually retrofitted) MARS lights for all their road diesels, even the shovelnoses.

And to add to the mix, Northern Pacific U25C's (and other U-boats) were delivered with a red warning light installed on the low hood:

Rusty

Each RR would tell GE how they wanted it built for them.

The short bodied Lionel U36B had them in both places on the model.

SP U33C had the full SP light package.

Ralph,

   In reality all the different engines were built to the specific engineering orders of the purchasing RailRoads, believe me the RR's did not want to keep changing their engineering orders, it would have severely increased the cost.  In fact once ordered very few times were designs altered.  

PCRR/Dave

The phases of the U30C are distinguished by the radiators.

Stuart

Boy dem things be UGLY critters. I like ugly.

Mongo

The Seaboard System engine was delivered with a Pyle Gyralite above the windshield.  After the Company policy changed, the Gyralite was removed and the headlight remained on the nose, in its original position.  Burlington ordered its U30's with a Mars Light on the nose (later removed by BN).

And, it could cost significantly, to configure the headlights and -- if used -- signal lights to any configuration other than the single stationary headlight above the windshield.  Not only was extra apparatus costly, but the control stand needed modification when an oscillating headlight was applied, and there were significant wiring changes inside the locomotive.  GE wanted $50,000 extra to deliver B40-8's to Santa Fe with a single headlight, mounted on the nose.  This prompted Santa Fe to go to EMD and purchase GP60's which had nose-mounted headlights and the additional cost was much less.  I was on the ATSF cab committee at that time, and we could not believe GE's charge, but they were serious about it.

Is there a reason why nose mounted headlights were preferred rather than the cab mounting of the headlights?

Most likely less glare and easy access for maintenance. 

Crews on the Valley Division liked the low headlights of the F45's, as they run in thick tule fog often.  They petitioned the cab committee to change the standard location of the headlight and the railroad agreed to do it, even retrofitting earlier units.