Used in much the same manner as its four-axle counterpart, the AS-16, though the wheel arrangement spread out the axle load for operation on light rail such as are found on branch lines.
It was introduced in 1950 as a replacement of the DRS-6-4-1500 and remained in BLH's catalog until their cessation of locomotive manufacture in 1956.
Only 25 units were sold to four railroads — all of whom had bought the earlier model. The vast majority (17 of the 25 units) were purchased by the original Norfolk Southern Railway (1942–82), becoming a signature locomotive for the company.