Baldwin's first attempt at a diesel road locomotive was the DR-12-8-1500/2, which was also called the “Centipede” because of its many axles. Each locomotive had one cab and two bogies, which in turn were divided into four powered axles and a two-axle leading bogie. Power was provided by two eight-cylinder engines with 1,500 hp each.

The type designation was formed from this data, as well as the total number of twelve axles with eight powered ones. Usually two locomotives with a total output of 6,000 hp were coupled together. The UP initially ordered two Centipedes, which were not accepted and were then used together by Baldwin as demonstrator.

The series variant was ordered by only three railroads. The largest customer was the Pennsylvania Railroad with 24 Centipedes, which were later provided with a shorter gear ratio for freight traffic and were derated to 2,500 hp. Seaboard Air Line and Nacionales de Mexico each ordered 14. The NdeM locomotives were later equipped with multiple controls and used as helper locomotives. Ultimately, all Centipedes were scrapped because they could not assert themselves against their competitors.