Blueline vs. Paragon PRR T1

[selector]

Some would  contend that the Pennsy's 4-8-4 was really their 4-4+4-4, which is essentially the T1 Duplex.  They opted not to acquire a Northern type.

-Crandell

[gmcrail]

Allegheny2-6-6-6

The PRR 4-8-4 is an M1a or M1b  (discontinued) at BLI

 

 

Sorry - wrong, there!  The PRR had no steam 4-8-4s.  The M1 is a 4-8-2. 

Not a lot of folks confuse a Pennsy locomotive with a Reading one....

[Utley26]

Hamltnblue

This LHS near me shows 6 in stock. 3 numbered 2101 and 3 numbered 2102.  I'm there every couple of weeks and they do have BLI steamers behind the counter.

http://www.nicholassmithtrains.com/store/category/183/833/STEAM-LOCOS/page3.html

Thanks Hamltnblue, but those are the Reading 4-8-4 T1's in stock, not the Pennsy T1.  Thanks for the heads up though.

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

Hamltnblue

Once again make sure it's the T1 that you are looking for. One is the T1 duplex 4-4-4-4 and the other is the T-1 4-8-4.  Totally different loco's

 

 

I may possibly be wrong but I don't think I am

The PRR 4-8-4 is an M1a or M1b  (discontinued) at BLI

The PRR T1 duplex is a 4-4-4-4 

Often the M1 is confused with the Reading T-1 which is/was a 4-8-4 wheel arraignment

If the O/P plans on buying his T1 new. he'll have to purchase a BlueLine as both the T1 and M1 Paragons are discontinued  if I am not mistaken the difference between the Paragon and the BlueLine is that the Paragon is a DCC sound equipped model where the BlueLine is a DCC ready version with a DC sound system which most of the time many of us like to install our own sound so it's a wash but the BLI paragon sound is great right out of the box.

[Hamltnblue]

Once again make sure it's the T1 that you are looking for. One is the T1 duplex 4-4-4-4 and the other is the T-1 4-8-4.  Totally different loco's

[D94R]

Hamltnblue

This LHS near me shows 6 in stock. 3 numbered 2101 and 3 numbered 2102.  I'm there every couple of weeks and they do have BLI steamers behind the counter.

http://www.nicholassmithtrains.com/store/category/183/833/STEAM-LOCOS/page3.html

 

 

Living in Utah means everything the local hobby shop (the one that specializes in only trains) carries is western :( . So the odds of them carrying anything Pennsy is zero, unless I order it through him. Which at that point, I'll just order it myself for the same cost.  I wish I was local to your area though, I'd stop and take a looksy at those engines. 

 

But, the main reason I won't bite for any of those, is my uncles a dealer.  Which is why I'm hoping BLI will do another run of the Pennsy T1's.   Dealer cost being much cheaper than any online place that I have found them available from.  I may be waiting a while though (as with anything BLI).

 

 

But for the OP, there's 6 to chose from right there :)

[Medina1128]

Q: Can I run my BlueLine Series model on a DCC layout?

A: Yes, the BlueLine Series models are designed to run on DC track out-of-the-box, and to run on DCC after the installation of a DCC motor decoder.  A BlueLine model has a DCC Sound system.  The sound system is a dual-mode DCC decoder.  The default address of the sound system is 03.  When you purchase a BlueLine model, it does not have a DCC motor control system.  The model will only move in DC.  If you want to use your BlueLine model on DCC, simply plug a DCC motor decoder into the NMRA standard socket on the main circuit board.  Please remember, this means your model now has two decoders.  Make sure both decoders are programmed to the same address at all times.

[Hamltnblue]

I also notice there are 2 different T1's in this thread.  The T1 and the T1 duplex. Totally different loco's

[Hamltnblue]

This LHS near me shows 6 in stock. 3 numbered 2101 and 3 numbered 2102.  I'm there every couple of weeks and they do have BLI steamers behind the counter.

http://www.nicholassmithtrains.com/store/category/183/833/STEAM-LOCOS/page3.html

[rjake4454]

If anyone wants a mint T1, PM me.

[D94R]

Utley26

Warning, newbie question... I am looking to buy an HO BLI PRR T1, and I saw that there are both the Blueline and Paragon versions of this loco. 

 

 

Were you thinking you were going to be able to buy one from BLI?  Or just finding out the differences of the two so you know what you want when looking at used engines?

As far as I know, you can't get them from BLI anymore (atleast until they hopefully do another run). 

The T1 is one of two BLI 'must have's' that I've been trying to find for a year or so now.  Hard to find online, or at local shows, and definitely not at a LHS around here anyhow.  The other being the Centipedes, if BLI ever commits to releasing them and stops extending their order and release dates.

[Flynn]

I do not have the Paragon version of the T1 (I have the Blueline versio) but I do have the older Paragon versions of other locomotives.  I actually prefer the sound systems of the Blueline locomotives over the Paragon.

As for the Bluelines being "ruined" by DCC, I have run mine on DCC with and without a decoder.  It's still not ruined.  For the price, it is an extremely fine locomotive.  If you really need the bell's and whistles of a glowing firebox, etc., the Paragon's are nice but I like my Bluelines.

[CAZEPHYR]

rjake4454

Both engines are primarily die cast with some plastic detailed parts. The Paragon has a better headlight and a flickering firebox.

The chassis is die cast metal but the shells are plastic.  Both are nice models and the Blueline is a rerun of the older Paragon.  The Blue Line has the BLI sound without a DCC drive for the motor.  i have the original T1 and it has QSI sound.   You can install your own decoder fo the motor drive on the Blue LIne if you want DCC to control the motor. 

 

CZ

 This is the T1 specification on the BLI web site for the Blue Line T1

• Powerful 5-pole Can Motor with Flywheel
• ABS Plastic Body with Die Cast Chassis
• Heavy for pulling power - weighs approximately 2 lbs.
• Authentic Paint Scheme and Lettering
• Metal Wheel and Axles
• Traction Tire Equipped Driver Set
• (2) Operating Metal Knuckle Couplers
• Constant Intensity Lighting
• Separately Applied Handrails and Decorative Bell & Whistle
• Factory-installed engineer and fireman figures
• Operating Tender Back-up Light
• Operating Cab-Roof Vents
• Detailed Backhead
• Seuthe Smoke Unit Compatible
• 1:87 Scale Proportions
• Will Operate on Code 70, 83, and 100 Rail
• Recommend Min. Radius: 22 inches.

 

Mechanical features include the following:
Synchronized Articulated Chuff with Open Steam **** Mode Powerful, Authentic Adjustable Steam Whistle, with enhanced playability Authentic Adjustable-Ring Bell Squealing Brakes Automatic Background sounds including Compressor, Slow Compressor, etc. Variable Volume Control Variable Pitch Control Individually adjustable sound volumes and intensities		Powerful 5-pole Can Motor with Flywheel ABS Plastic Body with Die Cast Chassis Heavy for pulling power - weighs approximately 2 lbs. Authentic Paint Scheme and Lettering Metal Wheel and Axles Traction Tire Equipped Driver Set (2) Operating Metal Knuckle Couplers Constant Intensity Lighting Separately Applied Handrails and Decorative Bell & Whistle Factory-installed engineer and fireman figures Operating Tender Back-up Light Operating Cab-Roof Vents Detailed Backhead Seuthe Smoke Unit Compatible 1:87 Scale Proportions Will Operate on Code 70, 83, and 100 Rail Recommend Min. Radius: 22 inches.

Mechanical features include the following:
Synchronized Articulated Chuff with Open Steam **** Mode Powerful, Authentic Adjustable Steam Whistle, with enhanced playability Authentic Adjustable-Ring Bell Squealing Brakes Automatic Background sounds including Compressor, Slow Compressor, etc. Variable Volume Control Variable Pitch Control Individually adjustable sound volumes and intensities		Powerful 5-pole Can Motor with Flywheel ABS Plastic Body with Die Cast Chassis Heavy for pulling power - weighs approximately 2 lbs. Authentic Paint Scheme and Lettering Metal Wheel and Axles Traction Tire Equipped Driver Set (2) Operating Metal Knuckle Couplers Constant Intensity Lighting Separately Applied Handrails and Decorative Bell & Whistle Factory-installed engineer and fireman figures Operating Tender Back-up Light Operating Cab-Roof Vents Detailed Backhead Seuthe Smoke Unit Compatible 1:87 Scale Proportions Will Operate on Code 70, 83, and 100 Rail Recommend Min. Radius: 22 inches.

[Medina1128]

 The biggest difference is that the Blueline models are DC locomotives with a sound card installed. You WILL damage it if you run it on a DCC system. The Paragon models are true DCC models with dual-mode decoders.

[Forty Niner]

Hey!!!! Maybe it's so you can tell the "Korean" one from the "Chinese" one????

That's gotta be the reason.................yea, makes sense doesn't it??

Mark

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 I can't say for sure how much of a difference there is between the two as I have three Paragon M1's and think they are pretty slick  locomotives. All the guys at the club keep battling over this question but never come up with a definitive answer. How can you compare the two once they have been modified and detailed like we have guys doing at the club.........lol But I can a test to the big difference in price, if I didn't buy mine form a guy at a train show for a killer price there wouldn't be either one sitting here

[Forty Niner]

You forgot to mention there is also a rather sizeable difference in the price as well, I, like you, have both versions and noticed the difference in the tender lettering. I just figured it was the diference between the painting at the Altoona shops and at the Juniata Shops, or maybe the painter wasn't observing "rule 13" that day!!!!

Mark

[rjake4454]

Utley26

Warning, newbie question... I am looking to buy an HO BLI PRR T1, and I saw that there are both the Blueline and Paragon versions of this loco.  I know there are some differences in sound quality between the two, but do they differ in terms of the actual model?  Are there other differences in quality between the two?  Sound is not as big a priority for me at this point; I'd rather opt for the better looking/better quality model if there is a difference.
Thanks

I've had both. The Paragon version is more prototypical. It has the correct size lettering on the tender. The Blue Line version has very oversized decals on the tender.

This may seem like a minor detail, but its very noticeable and it bothers me.

Blue Line tender lettering:

Paragon:

Both engines are primarily die cast with some plastic detailed parts. The Paragon has a better headlight and a flickering firebox.

[Darth Santa Fe]

As far as I know, there's no difference between the two models except for the electronics. I've never owned a Blueline or Paragon (or any BLI yet), so someone else will have to confirm that.

[Utley26]

Warning, newbie question... I am looking to buy an HO BLI PRR T1, and I saw that there are both the Blueline and Paragon versions of this loco.  I know there are some differences in sound quality between the two, but do they differ in terms of the actual model?  Are there other differences in quality between the two?  Sound is not as big a priority for me at this point; I'd rather opt for the better looking/better quality model if there is a difference.
Thanks