U-Boats: General Electric's Diesel Locomotives [Hardcover]

Greg McDonnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 1994

General Electric's legendary domestic U-series line put GE on the road to becoming the largest locomotive builder in North America. This marvelous book features the work of more than 50 top photographers and pays homage to the bold dreams of the GE designers and workers who brought to life the locomotives today known as U-boats.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Greg McDonnell's writing and photography have been praised by rail enthusiasts across North America. Each new book by Greg McDonnell is a major event in the large railfan community, and Boston Mills Press is proud to be his publisher. Greg is a featured columnist for Trains magazine. His acclaimed large-format pictorials include Signatures in Steel, Heartland, U-Boats: General Electric's Diesel Locomotives, Passing Trains and Wheat Kings. He is currently at work on a new book and overseeing a Masters of Railway Photography book series for Boston Mills Press. He lives with his wife and three sons on the edge of a ravine overlooking the Canadian Pacific Railway's Orr's Lake Hill.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Boston Mills Press; 1st edition (November 17, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550461125
• ISBN-13: 978-1550461121
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 11.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,156,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well-researched locomotive pictorial, April 11, 2000

By 

"davidotto_ch" - See all my reviews

This review is from: U-Boats: General Electric's Diesel Locomotives (Hardcover)

If you want to have a look at the locomotive family which marked General Electric's entry into the domestic high-horsepower market segment from a historical point of view, this pictorial volume might be well what you are looking for.

Every model of the of the 'U' (Universal) family is covered in a separate chapter, from the obscure UM20 and XP24 demonstrators through the mighty but ill-fated U50C and the best-selling U30C right down to the 'Super 7' rebuilds from Morrison-Knudsen, GE Montreal (former MLW), and Mexico.

A listing of all original owners opens every chapter, together with a concise summary of the coming-into-existence of a particular model. Most of the photographs are well selected (although sometimes too small in size), showing day-to-day business as well as uncommon assignments, lesser operators, or shop work, mingled with a little interesting anecdotal narration.

A 1994 roster of all 'U-Boats' built at Erie Pa. (plus some in Brazil) is given at the end of this book. Based upon frame serial numbers, it lists delivery, renumberings, changes of ownership, and eventual disposal or rebuilding of a particular locomotive.

The only evident flaw of this well-researched piece of work - and the reason why I would not rate it five stars - is that dimensional drawings are missing entirely, which is in contrast to other similar publications and greatly diminishes its value for railroad modelers.

Nevertheless - congratulations to Greg McDonnell !

5.0 out of 5 stars G.E.'s Utility Locomotives - known as "U-Boats", July 29, 2011

By 

Daryll - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: U-Boats: General Electric's Diesel Locomotives (Hardcover)

As a model railroader, this book is full of data covering time-line of production, mechanical data (tractive power, tonnage, etc.), and what railroad companies owned what models - and how many. It also provides other details such as popularity and information about owner's likes and dislikes regarding available features. There are LOTS of color photos to look at throughout the book. If you're interested in trains, G.E.'s locomotive history, or just want a good reference book to inspire you for your next kitbashed or scratch-built locomotive this book is highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars U-Boats as Locomotives, September 3, 2008

By 

J. Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: U-Boats: General Electric's Diesel Locomotives (Hardcover)

I have wanted this book ever since it came out, but I couldn't find it at a reasonable price, until now! Amazon.com came through again!