ATHEARN 4-8-2 MT-4 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

The first North American 4-8-2 locomotives were built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) in 1911, for heavy mountain service (hence the popular name, (“Mountain Type”). Southern Pacific joined the parade in October 1923, when it took delivery of ten new 4-8-2 locomotives, class Mt-1, from Alco. They were numbered in the new 4300 series as #4300-4309 and were put to work on the Sunset and Golden State routes. They were an instant hit; SP promptly signed with Alco for eighteen more (#4310- 4327) for delivery in March 1924.

Meanwhile, the art of locomotive manufacturing was evolving as specialized steel manufacturers learned how to create ever-larger and more complex steel castings. SP took note of these developments and performed cost studies to evaluate the possibility of building 4-8-2s in the shops at Sacramento. The numbers were all favorable and a project was approved to build eighteen class Mt-3 4-8-2s (#4328- 4345) in-house. Sacramento began work, with #4328 approved for service in September 1925. The last Mt-3, #4345, entered service on June 16, 1926.

Business continued to boom and trains kept growing—the SP’s Board of Directors approved a new program to build another 21 similar machines, #4346-4366. These locomotives would be class Mt-4.

Many of the Mt-4s assigned to operating districts with snowsheds were fitted with SP’s distinctive “clamshell” exhaust deflector. Their most important visual modification took place beginning in 1939, when they were fitted with sheet-steel “skyline casings,” similar to those on the new Lima 4-8-4s, that were developed to help direct exhaust smoke atop the boiler, away from the locomotive cab.

Still another visual treat was available for five short years, when #4350, 4352, 4353, 4361 and 4363 were partially repainted in Daylight red and orange for service on the San Joaquin Daylight. The tenders were completely painted, but only the cab area received vivid colors. The new paint was applied in 1946, approximately the same time that tender lettering standards were changed from “Southern Pacific Lines” to “Southern Pacific.” After 1951, all five engines were repainted in black and re-entered normal pool service.

As the 1950s progressed, new diesels were taking over more freight and through passenger assignments, leaving SP with a surplus of relatively modern steam power. A few Mt-4s were still operating into the fall of 1956. The final day for steam on Commutes was January 22, 1957, but SP clerks didn’t get around to preparing formal retirement papers for the last five Mt-4s until after diesels had completely taken over.

LEGENDARY LIVERIES

What are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to “What if?” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, proto-freelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of: “What if?”

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

Front coupler pocket able to accept an operating coupler
See-through running boards with safety tread detail
Boiler backhead with full details and printed gauges
Firebox with rivet detail
Factory applied detail parts, including:
- brass-painted bell and whistle
- valves
- steps
- air tanks
- coupler lift bar
- piping
- generator
- air pump
- reverser

McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
Laird multiple bearing cross head, where applicable
Non-operating marker lamps
Adjustable cab windows and doors
With or without Skyline casing
Builder’s plates
Metal handrails
Cab interior details
Blackened metal wheels
Lighted number boards
Adjustable Cab hatch
Era: 1926 - 1958
Minimum radius: 22”

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

Tender-mounted DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode

Precision slow speed control
Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
CV chart included in the box

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

#4354 Legendary Liveries - Two-tone grey paint scheme with Southern Pacific Lines lettering, Skyline Casing, Corrugated Pressed Steel pilot, Bopox style wheel center on main driver, Alligator style crosshead, 160-C-1 / C-2 Semi Vandy tender
#4361 Skyline casing, Daylight paint with Southern Pacific Lines lettering, Corrugated Pressed Steel pilot, spoked drivers, Alligator style crosshead, 160-C-1 /C-2 Semi-Vanderbilt tender

#4362 Standard black paint scheme with Southern Pacific Lines lettering, Skyline Casing, Boiler Tube pilot, Spoked Drivers, Alligator style crosshead, 160-C-1 / C-2 Semi Vandy tender.
#4365 Standard black paint scheme with large Southern Pacific lettering, Skyline Casing, Corrugated Pressed Steel pilot, Bopox style wheel center on main driver, Alligator style crosshead, 160-C-1 / C-2 Semi Vandy tender.

HO GEN 4-8-2 MT-4 Locomotive, Early Black SP #4351

Athearn Genesis - ATHG-2109