AC-8 w/Sound SP #4185 - HO-Scale

A Pre-review. This is a re-release of a locomotive I already have so I can weigh in before you can buy and it may actually help you make a better choice for the right engine. Class alone doesn't account for all the variations seen over time with the AC class engines. The way the engine and tender is painted speaks volumes, if you know the language, and dates the engines more precisely. 1946 seems like it was a watershed year for the SP's motive power. Prior to 1946 the front of the ACs were painted all black. Starting in 1946 the front of the engines had silver paint applied for safety and to help with visibility at grade crossings. Engines shopped or painted during and after 1946 dropped the word Lines on the tenders and all rolling stock. Starting in early 1949 all engines in the AC classes on the LA, Coast, Western, Sacramento, Shasta and Portland Divisions when shopped or repainted dropped the lettering on the tender entirely. On the Portland Division this included the F class 2-10-2s as well. By 1952 the Southern Pacific letters had returned to the tender sides. I've never been able to get an answer to the question why this was done. What all this means is if you want to be specific, notice what the engine and tender are telling us. Detailing is phenomenal and delicate so beware when handling it, especially the front of the tender between it and the monkey deck. Small valves, pipes and handles just begging to get snagged on something. When first out of the box the engines are a bit stiff. The instructions will advise you as to how and when lubrication is needed beyond a short test hop to make sure everything is working correctly, but certainly before going into actual service. Once they get an hour or two on them they break in well and smooth out. And they pull! The ESU LokSound Select is the best steam sound I’ve heard. Starting with the AC-6s the air pumps were flown on the front of the smoke box venting straight to atmosphere via a short pipe without going out the exhaust stack. Thus they made a very distinctive sound just as unique as the engines themselves and found on no other locomotive. This sound system nails it. These engines are prototypical in another way in that the engine nearest the cab is rigid while the trailing engine swivels. This means they demand quality switches. By that I mean no snap switches, tru-track, other cheap-o etc. They perform well at all speeds with excellent slow speed operation. Here is one more tip when it comes to programming. The sound system allows you to choose a synchronized chuff or out of sync chuff between the engines. To chose the right one look at the position of the side rods. They will remain constant. If they mirror each other (side rods in the same position) then the engines are synchronized so that is where you want to set the chuff. If they are in different positions then they will be out of sync and you should opt for that sound. I hope this helps you with your selection and you won’t go wrong. I recommend these engines highly.