BLI 7612 HO Scale GS-4 Southern Pacific 4449 American Freedom Train 1975 Paragon4 Hybrid

The Southern Pacific GS-4 locomotives were a class of 4-8-4 “Northern” type steam locomotives operated by the Southern Pacific from 1941 to 1958. The SP owned a total of 28 GS-4 engines, numbered 4430 through 4457. The GS-4’s were quite similar to the SP GS-3 Northerns, except with the GS-4, the SP introduced a dual-headlight casing, with the top light being a Mars light, and also the GS-4 had an all-weather cab.

The GS-4 locomotives were designed and primarily used for passenger service. They were capable of reaching high speeds, and wore the colorful Daylight paint scheme to match Southern Pacific Daylight passenger cars. Some of the engines were painted black during WWII, and most of them were eventually painted black later in life.

In this first production run, BLI is offering several variations of the GS4. They are building locomotives with both an early appearance and late appearance – the most noticeable difference is the location of the numberboards/trainboards. They are also building two distinct tenders, with the primary difference being the MU box and associated conduit on the later type. In addition to the detail differences, they are offering models of several paint schemes, including two versions of the #4449 Excursion locomotives, an American Freedom Train model, and three different in-service paint schemes with multiple road numbers of each.

Each of these models will be available with the newest Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC sound system with synchronized puffing smoke and integral GoPack capacitors. These models have die cast locomotive and tender bodies for maximum weight and tractive effort. See below for additional model features including the full list of individually controllable lights.

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.

FEATURES:

• ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System
• Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
• Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
• Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
• Heavy Die Cast Boiler, Tender Body, and Chassis for Increased Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
• Prototypical Light Operation with Separately Controllable Headlight, Reverse Light, Cab Light, Mars Light, Front Numberboards, Front Marker Lights, Rear Marker Lights
• Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Conduit, Generators, Whistle, Horn, and Brass Bell
• Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 22 inches
• Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the SP GS-4 Northern
• Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:
• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Built-In capacitor pack to navigate imperfect track
• Capacitor Pack automatically disabled on program track for full compatibility with JMRI Decoder Pro
• 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 Whistle 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
• Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change
• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal – When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse. toots three times
• Chuff sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings