U33B Diesel Locomotive

Prototype Information

The GE U33B entered production in 1968 as one of the most powerful four-axle road locomotives of its time. GE built it to give railroads a high-horsepower option in a lighter, more agile B-B wheel arrangement. Powered by a 3,300-hp FDL-16 engine, the U33B delivered strong acceleration and worked well on fast freight assignments.

Railroads like the New York Central, Penn Central, Seaboard Coast Line, Southern Pacific, and Reading bought the model. Even with solid performance, the U33B saw only modest sales because many railroads preferred six-axle units for heavy freight. GE ended production in 1975 as the Dash-7 line took over. Most U33Bs served into the early 1980s before retirement, leaving a short but notable mark in the U-boat era.