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 Typeâ€). 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?â€
