Jim Six is planning a U18b kitbash article online, in the near future. Details, when posted, will be found on his RAILROADmodeler group at Yahoo.
All U18b's were built for the Seaboard Coast Line. The first order, numbered in the low 300's, had FB-2 trucks and large fuel tanks. The second order, numbered in the 200's, had FB-2 trucks and small fuel tanks. The third order had Blomberg type B trucks (from trade-in F units) and large fuel tanks. The fourth order had Blomberg trucks and large tanks...this order was built but SCL did not take delivery due to an economic downturn. These were the units that went to the Maine Central, Mexico and the various smaller owners. For a decade or so, here in ft Myers, if it was a train, it was being pulled by a U18. Sure miss them. Bill