Featuring a smaller 12 cylinder version of the FDL engine, it is the successor to GE's U23B produced from early 1968 to mid 1977, but at 62 ft 2 in (18.95 m) long is exactly 2 ft 0 in (0.61 m).

The result was the GE model B30-7A, B30-7 with a 12-cylinder FDL prime mover.

They were not renumbered into the B30-7A series on the MP because they lacked Sentry Wheel Slip and had different engine governors.

17 B23-7s were built from GE kits in Mexico as Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México no.10047-10052 and no.12001-12011.

Ohio Central #4092 is owned by the Age of Steam Roundhouse Transferred to BNSF Three sold to Metro-North, others split between CSX & NS.