Although not the UP Mountain, I have the BLI NYC 4-8-2 Mohawk and have been very happy with it. It's one of BLI's "Hybrid" models (i.e. brass and plastic) and came with the QSI decoder.
As far as Mikados, you might want to also consider the Trix UP Mike - if you can find one. It's more expensive than the BLI Mikes but the detailing is outstanding and it runs extremely smoothly.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Yes, the traction tires wear out. Yes, replacements can be purchased, or a product called Bull Frog Snot can be used to replace the broken or missing tires.
Sometimes I think the use of traction tires leads to more track dirt on the layout.
Yes, the better engines usually come with a replacement standard (non-traction tire equipped) driver that can be substituted for the traction tire equipped axle (careful--don't lose the tiny springs if drivers are sprung and you try to change them out).
Also, on some engines (I don't have the BLI 4-8-2 to know) the traction tire may not be on the same driver as the gearbox. This is a flawed design that leads to excessive valve gear wear, among other things, as the grip of the tire combined with it not being on the geared axle can wear the main rod holes egg-shaped over time.
I personally despise traction tires, and therefore, I totally reject some engines simply because they come with them. I'd rather have less pulling power than deal with some of the other issues associated with traction tires.
As always, that is my opinion, and others' experience may vary significantly.
Best Regards--
John
Thanks, I'll think I'll bite this bullet and call the LHS. An excuse (for my supervisor) is that, with the lead and trailing trucks, it should be a better test of the main trackworks I've got down vs the GP9. Therefore, it is nearly imperative to acquire a 2nd loco ASAP. Kinda like justifying a new golf driver.
Can you please explain the traction tires? Is it like an o-ring that you put on or off a groove on a driver as you prefer? Or do you substitute traction vs non-traction wheels? Do the traction items wear and can one get replacements? Thanks.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Like Tom, I have the two-tone gray (#7018) UP 4-8-2 with QSI sound.
It is from the Paragon series, and it was produced around 2003.
Paragon was BLI's original series of steam locos with sound.
Like all BLI steamers, it is reliable.
Most of the BLI 4-8-2 locos were in the Paragon series.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Locomotive&scale=H&manu=broadway+limited+imports&item=&keywords=4-8-2+union+pacific&words=restrict&instock=Q&showdisc=Y&split=30&Submit=Search
Rich
Alton Junction
I had the UP model in the two-tone grey for a while--it had the QSI sound and was a good, smooth runner. Without traction tires it was a little light on its feet, but with traction tires, it was a pretty decent puller. The main reason I don't have it anymore is that it was dual/mode and I run strictly DC, so I couldn't run it with any of my other locos. Sold it about a year ago. But it was a good locomotive. Running strictly DCC it should be a winner.
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
I have a older version of the BLI 4-8-2 with QSI sound. I bought it used so I don't know when it was made. I have the PRR version and it looks great and runs well. It is one of my favorite steamers. Later this year I believe BLI is re-releasing the PRR version with their Paragon operating/sound system.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Hi. I'm wanting to add someDCC/sound UP steamers to my fleet and my LHS happens to have a Broadway Limited 4-8-2. Can you advise on this engine: when built (the model), operational qualities, what BLI "line" this is from (and what that means as I'm learning, DCC/sound qualities, etc? I have an interest in the BLI Mikado that's supposed to be out this summer, but would not mind both as UP-specific steamers with DCC/sound are a bit limited.