by Allen Hazen
U23C locomotives for U.S. service were all built with DC transmission (GT586 generator): not TOO surprising given their early date. (Though the last domestic U23C were built after the first U23B-AC were built for C&O.) Somewhat more surprisingly -- given that they were built in the mid-1970s when AC/DC transmission (GTA-11 traction alternator) was becoming popular for domestic U23B. So apparently all U23C were built with straight DC transmission, though GE technical literature apparently mentioned AS/DC transmission as an option.
However, after-market modification... Someone with better Portuguese than mine should read this
http://vfco.brazilia.jor.br/diesel/dies ... rezzo1.htm
for the details, but apparently some number of Brazilian U23C have been modernized by GE do Brazil. From the photo, their external appearance is largely unchanged, but
----horsepower increased to 2600 with new or rebuilt FDL-12 engines
----752AF traction motors (this is the model used on B36-7, etc, with "Sentry" wheelslip control starting in 1980) and improved wheelslip control
----traction alternators: model not specified here, but GTA-24 would have been used on early domestic applications of "Sentry" with 752AF motors.
So: we had to wait, but yes, Virginia, there IS a U23C-AC!
(Also posted to GE Locos and Locomotive Enthusiast Yahoo groups: I hope other people find it as interesting as I did! I know that some are more interested in the "B18-7," but the U23C variant with AC/DC transmission is one of MY favorite unbuilt GE fantasy locomotives.)
However, after-market modification... Someone with better Portuguese than mine should read this
http://vfco.brazilia.jor.br/diesel/dies ... rezzo1.htm
for the details, but apparently some number of Brazilian U23C have been modernized by GE do Brazil. From the photo, their external appearance is largely unchanged, but
----horsepower increased to 2600 with new or rebuilt FDL-12 engines
----752AF traction motors (this is the model used on B36-7, etc, with "Sentry" wheelslip control starting in 1980) and improved wheelslip control
----traction alternators: model not specified here, but GTA-24 would have been used on early domestic applications of "Sentry" with 752AF motors.
So: we had to wait, but yes, Virginia, there IS a U23C-AC!
(Also posted to GE Locos and Locomotive Enthusiast Yahoo groups: I hope other people find it as interesting as I did! I know that some are more interested in the "B18-7," but the U23C variant with AC/DC transmission is one of MY favorite unbuilt GE fantasy locomotives.)