SP CAB-FORWARD AC-12 4-8-8-2
Features:
- Beautifully Detailed, Accurately Modeled Locomotive and Tender
Body
- Authentic Design, Paint and Color Schemes
- Authentic Sounds with Articulated Chuff (Sound Equipped Units
Only) and Prototypical Operation
- Many Separately Applied Details Including Brass Bell/Rails
- Detailed Backhead
- Operating Cab-roof Vents
- Constant Intensity Directional Lighting
- Lighted Number Boards
- Factory Installed Painted Fireman and Engineer
Figures
- Fan Driven Smoke Unit with User Controlled On/Off
- Heavy Weight Pulling Power with Metal Wheel Tire (no traction
tires)
- Locomotive Composition: Die Cast Metal
- Tender Composition: Die Cast Metal
- Locomotive Length: 10.8"
- Tender Length: 6.35"
- Total Coupler-to-Coupler Length: 17.68"
- Motor type: 5-Pole Can with Skewed Armature & Dual Fly
Wheels
- Couplers: (1) Kadee Compatible,
(1) Kadee
#58
- Compatible Tracks: Code 70, 83, 100 Rail
- Recommended Minimum Radius: 18"
"DCC & Sound
Upgradeable" Units denoted as DCC & Sound
Upgradeable are units that are not sound equipped and function only in
DC. Modelers may choose to purchase an optional Sound &
DCC upgrade kit, specifically tailored to the prototype which will add DCC
and sound functionality. Upgrade kit works only for PCM models with PCM
motherboards.
From the very beginning of
WWII, the Southern Pacific Railroad faced perhaps the most formidable challenge
of any stateside railroad. With the port of San Diego being the jumping off
point for the war effort in the Pacific, Southern Pacific required motive power
that could handle super long freight drags as well as passenger trains. These
locomotives had to traverse the rugged terrains from the Gulf of Mexico to Utah
and Northern California.
Numerous tunnels, many miles of
snow sheds and steep grades made the AC-12 the intelligent choice. This simple
compound articulated locomotive averaged speeds of 15 miles per hour over the
many cuts and passes. With this in mind, Southern Pacific acquired permission
from the War Production Board to purchase a group of 20 locomotives from
Baldwin.
Baldwin delivered the initial
group of AC-12's, beginning with # 4275, to El Paso, Texas in the fall of
1943. The balance was received in March of 1944. Interestingly, the 4294 was the
last new steam locomotive ever to be purchased by Southern Pacific.
Baldwin utilized the same newer
semi-streamlined cab shape that was practically identical to some of the earlier
cab forward classes. Many consider these to be the most attractive of all the AC
series. By the way, the AC-12's were equipped with both the conventional steam
whistle as well as a single note "fog" horn.
This legendary locomotive has
cemented a chapter in the histories of the Southern Pacific and the United
States. You will be proud to run and display this unique, articulated locomotive
on your layout. And your engineer and fireman will thank you as they will be
able to breathe easy.
**Specifications on this page subject to change.
