• H – I dynamic brake housing configuration
• Extended fuel tank retrofit
• Modified radiators
• Air intake scoops
• Nose grab iron ladder
• Rubber water hoses between the “A” and “B” unit
• Radiator mounted Leslie S-5T-R Air Horn
• SKF and Timken bearings
• Wheel slip detectors
• Speed recorder
• 5-pole skew wound motor
• All-wheel drive
• All-wheel electrical pickup

“B” Turbine Unit

• Dynavane intake housing
• I – I dynamic brake housing configuration
• Blanked door panels and forward ventilation louvers
• Rear MU connections
• Timken bearings
• Wheel slip detectors
• 5-pole skew wound motor
• All-wheel drive
• All-wheel electrical pickup

23C Fuel Tender

• 24,000-gallon capacity
• Welded seams
• Insulated
• Commonwealth 6-wheel trucks
• Factory-applied air tank, brake cylinder, and control valve
• Factory-applied multiple unit (MU) hoses
• Photo-etched metal tender deck walkway
• Operating rear tender light
• Truck chains available separately (SXT80111)

Sound (if applicable)*

• “A” unit prime mover sound
• “B” unit turbine sound

LED Lighting*

• Dual headlight
• Separately controlled number boards
• Directional

Standard Rivet Counter Locomotive Features

• Fully assembled
• Color matched to Tru-Color Paint colors for easy touch-ups
• Available DCC & sound ready
• Available with ESU-LokSound DCC and sound pre-installed
• Factory-applied wire grab irons, coupler cut levers, windshield wipers, and multiple unit (MU) hoses
• Durable body-mounted die-cast metal semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers
• Color matched to Tru-Color Paint colors for easy touch-ups
• Minimum radius: 18” without water and electrical bus connections attached
• Recommended radius: 22”

*Some sound and lighting functions are only operable using DCC

History

• Record setting horsepower
• Massive measurements – 3-unit set spans over 180’ in length
• Screaming “jet” engine

These are the hallmarks of the Union Pacific Railroad’s unique GTEL 8500 Horsepower Turbine locomotives. Often called “Big Blows” because of their deafening noise, they roamed the less populated landscape between Council Bluffs, IA and Ogden, UT. 30 three unit sets were built between 1958 and 1961 and all were retired by the early 1970s.

Hear and See the Difference Now

Hearing and seeing the “Big Blow” Turbine in action is believing.  Our friends at ESU-LokSound have a created a video to demonstrate the sound and lighting functions.