The Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2 (known informally as the Centipede) was the Baldwin Locomotive Works' first serious attempt at a production road diesel locomotive. The Baldwin type designation was DR-12-8-1500/2 meaning Diesel Road locomotive, with 12 axles (8 of which were driven), and two engines of 1,500 horsepower each. The trucks were configured in a 2-D+D-2 wheel arrangement. The nickname came from the numerous axles set in a nearly unbroken line, much like the legs of a centipede.

Built between December, 1945 and July, 1948 the "Babyface" design reflected Baldwin steam and electric locomotive practice. The carbody rode on two massive articulated cast steel half-frames cast by General Steel Castings, linked at the middle with a hinged joint. Unpowered four-wheel trucks at each end guided the locomotive through curves for stability at speed. Internal wiring was passed through metal conduits exactly like those used on a steam locomotive, which proved troublesome in practice.

The prototype 2-unit set was built in 1945 and toured American railroads. Orders followed from the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, and the National Railways of Mexico (NdeM). The two demonstrators (originally ordered by Union Pacific Railroad as #998 and #999) were never sold and were eventually scrapped. The "Centipedes" were very soon made obsolete as the state of the art overtook them. Reliability was an ongoing problem, and as they were built one at a time (like steam engines) each one was a bit different in the placement of wiring and equipment, which complicated even routine maintenance. The PRR units were eventually derated and relegated to helper service. None of the units are known to exist today in any shape or form.

Industry-Leading Features:

• Both Units: Feature the ALL-NEW Paragon2 Sound & Control System
• Both Units: Feature Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry-Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Both Units: Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• Both Units: 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
• PRR A-units are equipped with trainphone antennae.  B-units are not.
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
• Prototypical Light Operation with Golden White LED Headlight
• Operating Metal Knuckle Couplers
• Factory Installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Near-Brass Caliber Detail at a Plastic Price
• Minimum Radius: 22" or greater recommended

Industry-Leading SOUND Features:

• Operates in DC & DCC (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Auto Pilot (ATS) - Records and plays back sound and movement for automatic operation (Macro Operation)
• 16-bit Sample Rate for exceptional high frequency sound clarity
• Playback Whistle for multiple whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable Whistles / 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
• Passenger Station Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Freight Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Lumber Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Farm Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Crew Radio Communications - Controlled with Function Key
• Maintenance Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
• Demo Mode for display and demonstrations
• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
• 8 Diesel Motor Revs (Diesel Only)
• Simple Programming with Integral DCC Decoder
• 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.
• Engine sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings