Product Information:
This HO Scale Baldwin Centipede from Broadway Limited is a model of Baldwin's attempt to produce a high-horsepower diesel locomotive. The Baldwin 12-8-1500/2 were BLW's first serious attempt at a production road diesel locomotive. Baldwin built the famous "Centipedes" between 1945 and 1948. The carbody rode on two enormous articulated half-frames that were linked at the middle with a hinged joint. One unpowered four-wheel truck at each end guided the locomotive through curves and helped provide stability. The Centipedes were huge - 91.5' feet long for single units as operated on SAL and NdeM. Semi-permanently coupled pairs, as operated on the PRR, were 183' long! Each unit contained two 1500-horsepower diesel motors, so a pair contained four motors and totaled 6000 horsepower. Centipedes were heavy, totaling 1,200,000 pounds (1.2 million) for a pair, with more than 800,000 of those pounds carried by the 16 drivers. In 1945, the prototype A1-A2 set toured American railroads and three railroads placed orders - PRR, SAL, and NdeM. Union Pacific originally ordered two units, but never took delivery. Unfortunately, the Centipedes did not last long in service. PRR and SAL retired theirs by the early 1960's and NdeM followed in the late 60's. The Centipedes were enormous, and maybe the most unique diesel locomotive design of the era, but they could not compete with the more capable EMD locomotives.
This detailed HO Scale Baldwin Centipede features full Paragon4 sound and DCC for realistic sound and motor control complete with back EMF for smooth slow speeds. The Paragon4 sound system works with all Broadway Limited Rolling Thunder(TM) advanced sound systems. Other features include a heavy die cast body and chassis; smooth-running drive, applied details; directional warm white LED lighting and magnetic knuckle couplers. The Centipedes can be operated on all DCC systems as well as on standard DC railroads (with limited sound functionality). This model has wheels profiled to operate on Code 70 and larger rail and curves of 18" radius or larger are recommended. The Baldwin Centipede is one of many Broadway Limited HO Scale Paragon4 locomotives.
