NEW PIKO #97445 Southern Pacific ML4000 Diesel Locomotive #9001 w/ DCC/SOUND

Features: RP25 wheels Silky-smooth & powerful PIKO Mechanism for great low-speeds and precise running Period-specific details PIKO knuckle couplers PIKO TrainSound® Decoder (on DCC/Sound versions) A Little About The Prototype... Krauss-Maffei of Germany worked closely with the Southern Pacific and the Denver & Rio Grande to develop a revolutionary new diesel-hydraulic locomotive. At the start of the 1960s, these beasts packed 4000 horsepower, a feat that would not be matched by American Diesel locomotive builders for many years. Typical American diesels of the time had only 2000 HP or less. The idea of replacing two locos with one in mainline service had great appeal. The hydraulic transmissions were an effort to eliminate the complexity and maintenance issues of electrical traction motors and all their related controls.Three “Prototype” locos were delivered to SP in 1961 and three to D&RGW. These cab locos with their rounded noses and full carbodies looked very different