Nostalgia & History > Getting the "BQ eye" from the hogger

On a pleasant March 1981 afternoon in Tampa, Florida the "Lutz Local" heads out of the yard and eventually the Brooksville Sub with one of the unique GE BQ23-7's in charge. The engineer is checking me out, probably wondering why anyone would want a photo of his oddball engine. We all pretty much know the history of these SCL units, and have our opinions on it's looks, but back then it was sure something different from all the normal stuff.

Roger Durfee
Akron, OH

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Those engines look like they were designed for a Star Wars movie!

Add a nose and some teeth and it would look kinda like Sponge Bob

Cab was designed by GE when full crews were still required and they were starting to get rid of the caboose.
The idea was to be able to seat the entire crew in the cab.
Laws and union agreements over crew sizes changed and eliminated the need for the big cabs.

A mug only a mother could love? Surprisingly some lasted long enough (as B-units) to get CSX paint.

John

So ugly they are pretty! Nice grab of a rare bird though for sure.

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD