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By John Erickson

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General Electric U18Bs

The U18B series was built between March of 1973 and October of 1976, weighs 219,000 lbs and uses a 4-cycle model FDL8 diesel prime mover that develops 1800 hp, and 83,500 lb of tractive effort, and carries 1700 gallons of fuel. My thanks to The Diesel Shop for the information.

Maine Central bought 10 of these engines in 1976, called them the Independence class, and gave them prominent names from Maine Revolutionary War history. This was a welcome promotional move that was well accepted.