C30 7 - MagnumMacKivler/RLCPT2 GitHub Wiki
A westbound Conrail ore train behind C30-7 6606, 6601 and SD40-2 6384 at Duncannon, PA, 14 July 1978. Bill Wilcox photo.
The GE C30-7 is a C-C trucked 3000hp, V16 diesel electric locomotive offered as a replacement and analogue to the U30C as part of GE's new Dash 7 lineup and largely utilized lessons learned in iterative improvements in the late Universal lineup; improvements included microprocessor use, compressor isolation and dozens of subtle quality-of-life and performance measures; like the late Univerals it utilized a card system not unlike EMD's approach. Manufactured from 1976 to 1986, the type saw great success; 1,137 were built for North American railroads. While it retained less market share than it's EMD contemporaries, the relative fuel efficiency made it a popular option for the lower short-term maintance costs. A few survivors exist and remain in revenue service.
PT-Specific Information
| General Info | - |
|---|---|
| Prime Mover | GE-7FDL16G |
| Horsepower | 3000 |
| Truck Type | GE FB-3 (1) |
| Axles | 6 |
| Traction Motors | 6 |
| Minimum Weight | 366,000 lbs |
| Maximum Weight | 420,000 lbs |
| Model Base Speed | 70 MPH |
| Top Speed | 70, 80, or 86 ⚠ |
| Electrical System | - |
|---|---|
| Generator Max Current | 5400 Amps ⚠ |
| Max Traction Motor (TM) Current | 1600 Amps |
| Max Continuous TM Current | 1195 Amps |
| Traction Motor Type | DC |
| Factor of Adhesion | 29% ⚠ |
| Transition Mode | Automatic, no selector |
| Transition Groups | 2, 1 |
| Transition Shunts | 1, 1 |
| Generator Transition | No (3) |
| Traction Control | APR + Sand |
| Dynamic Braking (DB) Mode (if used) | Mechanical Blowers (2) |
| DB Max Current | 740 Amps ⚠ |
| DB Max Continuous Current | 740 Amps |
| Blended Braking | No |
| Miscellaneous | - |
|---|---|
| Head-End Power (HEP) | No |
| HEP Power Consumption | N/A |
| HEP Standby/Run Mode | N/A |
| Load Ramp Speed | 3 Amps/Tick ⚠ |
| TM Overload Protection | Yes |
| Starter Mode | Manual Primer, Manual Start |
| Air Brake Schedule | 26-L |
| Compressor CFM | 236.25 (Wabco 3CDCBL @ 1050 RPM) |
| Main Reservoir Volume | 32.4 Cu.Ft |
Notes
⚠: Not Verified or Educated Guess
(1) C30-7s were offered with various trucks classified as FB-3; Adirondac and GSC castings with various mountings for brake cylinders or clasp brakes could be found. Otherwise, the difference was cosmetic.
(2) An aftermarket modification was made available that allowed for electronic blowers to the dynamic braking system, the most famous of these being the C36-7i Estonian rebuilds. Dynamic braking capacity remained unchanged.
(3) Supposedly very late models would share the same alternator with the C36-7, which features generator transition. However I've been unable to find anything to substantiate this.