Description
The GE U34CH was built for one job: moving New Jersey commuters. In the early 1970s GE built 32 of them for the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Erie Lackawanna's push-pull trains out of Hoboken (EL 3351–3382). It was the first commuter locomotive to make head-end power with an alternator driven directly by the prime mover, so its 16-cylinder FDL engine ran at a constant speed to keep the train's electrical supply steady, and the dark blue and silver "Bluebird" paint gave the class its nickname.
Conrail took over Erie Lackawanna in 1976 and renumbered the units 4151–4182, and NJ Transit inherited them in 1983. Many kept the Bluebird scheme with NJ Transit markings, while seven were repainted in NJ Transit's striped scheme. Unit 3351 was rebuilt by GE after a 1974 wreck and came back as Conrail #1776 in Bicentennial colours. The U34CHs ran their last trains in 1994, and only one, #4172, survives today.
Rapido's HO U34CH is offered DC/Silent (DCC ready) or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound. It has a die-cast frame, metal grab irons and brake chain, metal handrails with plastic stanchions, etched-metal steps, rubber sanding lines, road-specific fuel tanks and walkway tread, and illuminated control stand lights.
This unit: HO GE U34CH (DC/Silent): NJ Transit - Bluebird w/ Nose Logo: #4152
- GE U34CH commuter diesel with head-end power, as built for NJDOT
- Die-cast metal frame
- Metal grab irons, brake chain and handrails with plastic stanchions
- Etched-metal steps and rubber sanding lines
- Road-specific fuel tanks and walkway tread patterns
- Illuminated control stand lights
- DC/Silent (DCC ready) or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound
📦 Preorder details:
Expected ship date: see the Rapido Product Delivery Schedule for the latest dates
Preorder cancellation: free within 7 days of ordering; a 10% cancellation fee applies after that.
Browse more from Rapido Trains and our HO scale collection, or see all preorders. Ships from Oakville, Ontario. Contact us for special orders.