The Southern Pacific had need for some powerful locomotives, but found that the new articulated 2-8-8-2’s proved to be a hazard for the crews in the long tunnels and snow sheds on their system: the 400 degree exhaust fumes from the low pressure cylinders were blinding and asphyxiating the crews.

It is a familiar story how the SP solved the problem. Running in reverse -- tender first -- solved the problem, so the next articulated engines from Baldwin were built with the cabs in the forward position. Eventually, there were many classes of cab-forwards on the roster, including the AC-4 and AC-5 4-8-8-2’s, which were virtually identical.

We received a lot of input from modelers who requested that we make something for those who favor the Western railroads. The SP cab-forwards are the first steam locomotive project for BLI in that direction.

The factory installed Quantum sound system with dual speakers will feature the following:
• Chuff
• Whistle
• Bell
• Squealing brakes
• Doppler effect
• Sound of Power (change in chuff sounds with differing loads for more realism)
• Air let off (in neutral)
• Air pumps (in neutral)
• Water sounds (in neutral - blow down, pop off & injector)
• Blower hiss
• Headlight (dim head light in neutral)
• Slave (mutes whistle and bell for double heading)

Mechanical features will include:

• Powerful 5-pole can motor with flywheel
• Die-cast locomotive chassis
• Die-cast tender chassis
• Detailed tender underbody
• Plated bell & whistle
• Deck plate from cab to tender
• Many exceptional prototypical added-on details like piping and appliances
• Prototypical cab interior, including backhead, etc.
• Operating headlight
• Directional backup light
• Constant speed control - keeps speed constant up or down hill, etc.
• Authentic paint scheme and correct locomotive numbers
• Magnetic knuckle coupler on tender
• RP-25 contour on drivers and wheels
• Will operate on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
• 22" Radius recommended for best results