The C30-7 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems between 1976 and 1986 as an updated U30C with a 16-cylinder 3,000 horsepower (2,200 kW) FDL-series diesel engine. 1,137 were built for North American railroads.
GE C30-7A
A variant of the C30-7, 50 GE C30-7As were purchased by Conrail in mid-1984. Externally similar to the GE C30-7 model, six tall hood doors per side (in place of eight) showed it had a 12-cylinder (rather than 16-cylinder) prime mover. Both engines produced 3,000 horsepower (2,200 kW) but the C30-7A's smaller engine used less fuel. The C30-7A units were built between May and June 1984.
Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia purchased twelve former Conrail C30-7A locomotives in 2001 and used their traction components in the rebuilding of 442 class locomotives as the GL class. These entered service in Australia from 2003.[1]
Units went to BNSF after BN-ATSF merger in 1996. Some were returned to GE and placed in their lease pool in the early 1990s, Which GE sold some to Conrail. All remaining were sold in the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Many have found their way to the ALL (America Latina Logistica) Railroad in Brazil.
Units went to BNSF after BN-ATSF merger in 1996. Remaining units sold in the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Many have found their way to the ALL (America Latina Logistica) Railroad in Brazil.
In 2003 19 C30-7As were rebuilt and exported to Estonia as C30-7Ais to be used by EVR (Eesti Raudtee) which at that time was privately owned. The locos were numbered as part of Class 1500 (1558–1576) and were second-hand from Conrail/CSX/NS (USA).