Broadway Limited 2506 – Baldwin Centipede Paragon 4 Sound/DC/DCC National Of Mexico (NdeM) 6401 – HO Scale

The Baldwin 12-8-1500/2 were BLW’s first serious attempt at a production road diesel locomotive.   Baldwin built the famous “Centipedes” between 1945-48.   The carbody rode on two enormous articulated half-frames that were linked at the middled 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 NdM.  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.   

In our 2022 production of Centipedes, we are offering models in all of the prototypical paint schemes, including the Demonstrator scheme.   We are also offering two Union Pacific sets.  There has been a debate over the years about which road numbers the units would have been assigned, so we have built models painted for both 1600A/1601A and also 998/999.  

 

Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: The new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4 locomotive comes with BLI’s own integral DCC Decoder factory installed.  Paragon4 locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable electrical pick-up, industry best on-board sound with Rolling Thunder functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher model for precise low speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, and the same excellent detail level as Broadway Limited’s Paragon3 Series models. 

 

Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:

• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)

• Built-In extra capacitance to navigate imperfect track

• Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model

• Switcher Mode for precise low speed control

• Record & Play Operation – Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation

• High Resolution Audio

• Quillable Horn for various whistle lengths and patterns

• Choice of 3 selectable Horns

• Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle – both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played

• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell

• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys

• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command

• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal

• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal

• Prime Mover sound intensity varies with load

• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect

• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings