HO AC12 Cab Forward SP#4294, Sound Upgradeable
| MAY BE SOLD OUT BEFORE EXPECTED SHIPPING DATE |
$599.99 Reg.
$549.99 SALE
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From the 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. The simple compound articulated locomotive averaged speeds
of 15 miles per hour over the many cuts and passes. With this in mind, the
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 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 whistle; fog horn.
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