Rapido 1074524 HO GE B36-7 (DC/DCC/Sound): Minnesota Commercial - 250 Anniversary: #76

Specifications

Manufacturer	RAPIDO
Control	DCC&SOUND
SCALE	HO Scale
Railroad	Minnesota Commercial
Paint Scheme	MC 250 ANNIVERSARY

HO Scale B23-7, B30-7, B30-7A Locomotives Photo courtesy: Bobby Allard Introducing the complete Phase III GE 4-axle Dash-7 collection from Rapido! It’s a mess, and that is how GE made it. In late 1976, GE introduced the Dash-7 line, which consisted of dozens of internal updates to its Universal series model range. The most obvious external changes are that all Dash-7 models have a wider section of the hood ahead of the radiators, and feature protruding wings for the radiator section. Like the C36-7, other changes to the 4-axle Dash-7 were made incrementally. The six-axle Dash-7’s always retained the same wheelbase, while the four-axle models feature not one, but three wheelbases identified in three phases which apply to each model. In production by GE from 1977-1984,

• B23-7: GE 12-cylinder FDL diesel engine rated at 2250 HP
• B30-7: GE 16-cylinder FDL diesel engine rated at 3000 HP
• B30-7A/AB: GE 12-cylinder FDL diesel engine rated at 3000 HP
• B36-7: GE 7FDL 16-cylinder diesel engine rated at 3600, 3700 or later 3750 HP

Identifying phase features of the B23-7 and B30-7:
 Phase I:

• Overall length of 62’ 2”, and truck centers of 36’2 2”.
• These truck centers are the same as the predecessor universal models, but those had a shorter overall frame.

Phase II

• Same 62’ 2” overall length but change to wider truck centers of 37’ 2” by shifting the rear truck backwards, eliminating the space between the stepwell and truck at the rear.

Phase III

• Our Dash-7 series in this release covers the Phase III models.
• Overall length is a foot shorter – 61’ 2”
• Truck centers 36’ 8”. Visually, this gives the appearance of the trucks being balanced and centered, without major gaps at the end.

Phase III design features begin in 1981, and additional orders for B23-7’s (MP, NdeM, Southern, Santa Fe and B30-7’s (Chessie/C&O) were built with the revised design features. ATSF, MP, and Southern units are defined most by their road-specific order details. 


• Phase III B23-7, B30-7 and B30-7A — A first with correct details and accurate dimensions
• The unmistakable cabless B30-7A, with and without dynamic brake hump
• Insane amount of details such as: Step and walkway lights as well as 3-color class lights

HO Scale B23-7, B30-7, B30-7A Locomotives features:

• “Phase III” details for the wide variety of Dash-7 4-axle models
• Headlights and rear lights
• Tri-color class lights (where applicable)
• Ditch lights (where applicable)
• Lit numberboards
• Walkway Lights
• Step lights
• Full traction motor casing details
• Rotating bearing caps
• Metal brake chain on engineer’s side
• Detailed underbody piping and conduit Separate grab irons
• Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
• Detailed cab interior
• Lighted control stand
• Heavy, die-cast weight for heavy hauling
• 5-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels
• Sound-equipped units feature ESU LokSound V5 decoders
• Many road specific details – see table
• Suggested minimum radius: 18"

Photo courtesy: Craig Walker Road Specific Details NdeM B23-7:
 The largest active group of Phase III 4-axle Dash-7 units are B23-7’s in Mexico, originally ordered by NdeM. Our model features the distinctive lower-capacity fuel tanks that this massive fleet came with, as well as ditch lights and etched metal rock guards on the window. In daily service, many of these units still wear Ferrosur paint and can be found on local, yard, and industry operations. A very special addition is Ferromex 2501, which has been upgraded and assigned to the executive train. Our model features unique communications equipment details added to the real unit. NS B23-7 In our first run, we are making NS and Lhoist units with a whole host of Southern-specific details that they retain to this day. Both offerings come with front and rear ditchlights that reflect their original configuration as LHF units, with the horn and bell on the rear. They also have (dummy) walkway lights, high short hoods, knuckle boxes, open cutouts in the walkways near the steps, and more. In 2026, Lhoist 4021 and 4023 are still working in an appealing paint scheme hauling cement. Chesapeake and Ohio/Chessie B30-7: 
 Chessie ordered 20 Phase III B30-7’s featuring a distinctly Chessie look - AAR Type-B trucks and rock pilots. The same 20 units went to CSX yet end up looking so different that it is hard to tell. CSX swapped the trucks to FB-2’s, blanked the class lights, added ditch lights to both ends, and added electronic fuel gauges and air dryers. One of these units, Minnesota Commercial #49, is still in active service on the railroad with the same features. Chesapeake and Ohio/Chessie B30-7: 
 Chessie ordered 20 Phase III B30-7’s featuring a distinctly Chessie look - AAR Type-B trucks and rock pilots. The same 20 units went to CSX yet end up looking so different that it is hard to tell. CSX swapped the trucks to FB-2’s, blanked the class lights, added ditch lights to both ends, and added electronic fuel gauges and air dryers. One of these units, Minnesota Commercial #49, is still in active service on the railroad with the same features. Minnesota Commercial B30-7 & B36-7:
 Most B36-7’s were built from 1981 onwards and feature Phase III specs except 4 early units delivered to the SSW in 1980 (these were essentially B30-7s with B36-7 internals). To celebrate America’s 250th, this release includes Minnesota Commercial #76, which was repainted in an America 250 scheme in late 2025. This B36-7 model comes with all the upgraded features of this project like step lights, walkway lights, rotating bearing caps and correct CSX style step wells. Missouri Pacific B30-7A:
 GE made another new model once Phase III features were in place: the B30-7A. By this point, GE had found that the 2,300hp 12-cylinder FDL engine used in U23B’s and B23-7’s could be uprated to 3,000hp, offering the B30-7’s horsepower with better fuel economy. Missouri Pacific tested uprating 3 of their B23-7’s to 3,000hp and liked them so much they ordered 55 B30-7A models in 1981-1982. These often ran in sets of three on hot trains across their system. Southern also ordered 22 B30-7A1 units built on a slightly longer frame. BN Cabless B30-7AB:
 Finally, we arrive at what modelers have been waiting for: BN B30-7A’s. Or are they B30-7AB’s? B30-7B’s? Some goofy nickname you’ve heard? To GE, despite completely lacking a cab, bell, or horn, there are also a B30-7A: because they are a 3,000 hp 12-cylinder model. In the cashed strapped 80’s BN saw the price of a large locomotive order without cabs and though the savings were worth it. (Crews may vehemently disagree!)
 BN ordered the units in two batches. The first 53 units in 1982 were as if a usual 4-axle Dash-7 forgot to have a cab, with blank space where it would be. Originally, they came with 4 grilles on the rear, which 2 of our numbers will offer. By the late 80’s, those grilles had been updated the common 7-grille arrangement, which our other two numbers will offer. The second order for 67 units in 1983 came with some entirely unique features reflecting their late build date. The dynamic brake section was raised to accommodate different equipment, identical to a design on a small, specific batch of NS C36-7’s also had. Similarly, the 7-grille arrangement in the rear is also like those late-production C36-7’s, two large horizontal stacked panels instead of one. No matter which cabless unit you order, they were essential, unavoidable power on BN in the 80’s and 90’s. Countless intermodal, manifest, and non-coal unit trains across the system would feature whatever unit with a cab leading, with cabless B’s trailing – often as the only trailing power. Despite lacking a cab, bell, and horn, these still have complete lighting and working tri-color class lights!
 Photo courtesy: Warren Calloway Photo courtesy: Craig Walker Photo courtesy: Craig Walker Photo courtesy: Craig Walker Please note these are pre-production models and are subject to change.

• Santa Fe
• Ferrosur
• Ferromex
• Norfolk Southern
• Lhoist
• Chessie
• CSX
• MNNR
• Missouri Pacific
• BN

B23-7 | Road Numbers: 6405 - 6418

• Phase III B23-7 with a 2,300hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• 6405-6418 built in 1984, ATSF’s final B23-7 order
• Rear hood has 7-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Lower rear class lights
• Front class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• AAR trucks
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Anticlimber, plow
• Rooftop A/C unit

B23-7

• Phase III B23-7 with a 2,300hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• Phase III units make up portions of the 9100-series, 10000-series, and 12000 series
• Unique smaller capacity fuel tank
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• Smaller early dash-7 exhaust stack
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames with large casting holes
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front Ditchlights
• Etched window grilles

B23-7 | Road Number: 2501

• Phase III B23-7 with a 2,300hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• Executive unit #2501
• Unique smaller capacity fuel tank
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• Smaller early dash-7 exhaust stack
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames with large casting holes
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front Ditchlights
• Etched window grilles
• Rooftop A/C unit
• Unique Telecommunications antennas and equipment

B23-7 | Road Numbers: 3990 - 4023

• Phase III B23-7 with a 2,300hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• Built as Southern 3990-4023 in 1981
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• High short hood with blanked class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Adirondack or Rockwell FB-2 trucks
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front and rear ditchlights
• Horn and bell on long hood
• Horn on front high hood
• Circular cutout in walkway for fuel filler
• Access cutouts on all four walkway corners
• Hood walkway lights (non-operable)
• Knuckle box on walkway
• Tall plow on front and rear

B23-7 | Road Numbers: 4021, 4023

• Phase III B23-7 with a 2,300hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• Built as Southern 3990-4023 in 1981
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• High short hood with blanked class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Adirondack or Rockwell FB-2 trucks
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front and rear ditchlights
• Horn and bell on long hood
• Horn on front high hood
• Circular cutout in walkway for fuel filler
• Access cutouts on all four walkway corners
• Hood walkway lights (non-operable)
• Knuckle box on walkway
• Tall plow on front and rear

B30-7 | Road Numbers: 8279 - 8298

• Phase III B30-7 with a 3,000hp 16-cylinder engine
• Correct 16-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Eight tall hood doors for the 16-cylinder engine
• Built as C&O 8279-8298 in 1981
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Lower rear class lights
• Class lights on nose
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• AAR trucks
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Chessie rock pilot on front pilot

B30-7 | Road Numbers 5561 - 5580

• Phase III B30-7 with a 3,000hp 16-cylinder engine
• Correct 16-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Eight tall hood doors for the 16-cylinder engine
• Built as C&O 8279-8298 in 1981
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• Blanked class lights on nose
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Adirondack or Rockwell FB-2 truck frames
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front ditchlights
• Rear ditchlights
• Digital fuel gauge
• Air dryer
• Plow or no plow, per unit
• Knuckles on rear pilot

B30-7 | Road Number: 49

• Phase III B30-7 with a 3,000hp 16-cylinder engine
• Correct 16-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Eight tall hood doors for the 16-cylinder engine
• Built as C&O 8293 in 1981, formerly CSX 5575
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• Blanked class lights on nose
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Adirondack FB-2 truck frames
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front ditchlights
• Rear ditchlights
• Digital fuel gauge
• Air dryer
• Plow
• Knuckles on rear pilot

B36-7 | Road Number: 76

• Phase III B36-7 with a 3,600hp 16-cylinder engine
• Correct 16-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Eight tall hood doors for the 16-cylinder engine
• Built as SBD 5884 in 1985, formerly CSX 5884, TTI 5884
• Rear hood has 7-grille arrangement
• Ex-SBD Close clearance walkways
• Raised rear numberboards
• Blanked lower rear class lights
• Blanked class lights on late nose with no headlight box
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Front ditchlights
• Numberboard beacons (non functional)
• Roof antennas
• Digital fuel gauge
• Air dryer
• Plow

B30-7A | Road Numbers: 4800 - 4854

• Phase III B30-7A with a 3,000hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• MP 4800-4854 built in 1981-1982
• Rear hood has 4-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Lower rear class lights
• Front class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Adirondack or Rockwell FB-2 truck frames
• Rotating Timken bearings
• Plow

B30-7A | Road Numbers: 4000-4052

• Phase III B30-7A with a 3,000hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• 4000-4052 built in 1982: “Twinkies”, smooth roofline
• No cab, no horn, no bell
• Two rear grille arrangements: #4000, 4039: 4-grille delivery
• Two rear grille arrangements: #4005, 4044: 7-grille retrofit, late 1980’s+
• Raised rear numberboards
• Lower rear class lights
• Front class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames with large casting holes
• Rotating Timken bearings

B30-7A | Road Numbers: 4053-4119

• Phase III B30-7A with a 3,000hp 12-cylinder engine
• Correct 12-cylinder FDL sound file for sound equipped models
• Six tall hood doors for the 12-cylinder engine
• 4053-4119: built in 1983, raised dynamic brake section
• No cab, no horn, no bell
• 4053-4119: Rear with unique 7-grille arrangement
• Raised rear numberboards
• Lower rear class lights
• Front class lights
• Tall bathtub exhaust
• Rockwell FB-2 truck frames with large casting holes.
• Rotating Timken bearings