In the past I've owned several fine Overland Models (brass) passenger diesels. A few years back I was quoted $500 by a really good professional painter to paint a single Overland brass Santa Fe PA-1 and to install the side illuminated numberboards and do everything correctly for the Santa Fe version (the paint masks between plated, flat aluminum, and red areas can become challenging for any painter).
These new E Units from BLI are simply unbelievable. The quality of the fit and finish on the models I've seen in person matches or exceeds anything I've ever seen on HO Brass from Overland or Challenger Imports--at a price that I as a Dad don't have to feel guilty about.
I know BLI released at least some of the E units in the past, but the most recent run includes models and paint schemes that they may not have done before. Also, they do not offer all the road specific details found on some of the brass models--but again--their painting and finishing of the models is absolutely first rate. The operating mars headlights on applicable units are way cool, and the sound seems to be pretty good (I admit that I have no idea what a prototype E unit sounded like).
I have not always been a fan of every BLI product (I've had my challenges with some in the past), and I no longer even model Santa Fe, but after inspecting my son's ACL purple and silver E-7, and after seeing the Santa Fe E-6A in person, I had to put the last Santa Fe E-6 my dealer had available on layaway. Otherwise, I would have seriously regretted not getting it, because they are just way too cool. I drooled over the thought of getting one all weekend, then called back and got the last Santa Fe unit my local dealer had.
John
Not being a Santa Fe modeler or fan, I have still always loved the red/silver paint jobs. A well painted PA, E or F unit is impressive looking no doubt! I have been tempted more than once to buy some ATSF F units before. Being a D&RGW modeler, one could justify a ATSF E8 on the joint line. There are several photo's of those in my Rio Grande Trackside book with Jim Ozment, a D&RGW employee/photographer.
Do post photo's if you get the chance!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Mine are on layaway for now, but really sharp photo images of all the E units are available on the BLI website.
The models actually appear slightly better in person than the pilot model photos on there appear.
They also did many more roadnames than merely Santa Fe and Atlantic Coast Line--there's Florida East Coast, Illinois Central, UP, PRR (with the antennae), Kansas City Southern, Burlington, and even more I can't remember.
Warning: To the weak willed--you may not be able to resist these.
riogrande5761 Not being a Santa Fe modeler or fan, I have still always loved the red/silver paint jobs. A well painted PA, E or F unit is impressive looking no doubt! I have been tempted more than once to buy some ATSF F units before. Being a D&RGW modeler, one could justify a ATSF E8 on the joint line. There are several photo's of those in my Rio Grande Trackside book with Jim Ozment, a D&RGW employee/photographer. Do post photo's if you get the chance!
Those Santa Fe E8M units are nice and represent the units from the rebuilding until 57 or 58, depending on the unit number. Late in the fifties, the Santa Fe changed the number boards to the type that was on the F units replacing the rounded number boards.
I have the first run E8m and B unit and they are nice. The plating is as good as any of my brass units and certainly cost much less.
Thanks to BLI for their imports. By the way, the second run of those Santa Fe E8m units had the passenger pilot on those models. They are not correct.
CZ
That's good to hear. I'm interested in a couple myself, but they do seem to have a big pricetag. If they are as good as you say they are, I won't worry as much about the price.
Unfortunately, they no longer offer the plain DC, non-sound version of most of their engines. By only offering the "fully loaded" version with sound and dual mode decoder, they are encouraging (or forcing) the buyer to "step up".
However, I have tried many sound equipped engines over the last 6 years since returning to HO from large scale, and honestly, the few minutes I spent testing out the Atlantic Coast Line E-7, I thought it was pretty neat, especially with the flashing light in the nose.
I wish I had money to get either the Florida East Coast or Kansas City Southern versions, but, I just don't...
I did not keep my BLI RSD-15's, mainly because I just did not need them, and also because the long nose just in the end did not appeal to me enough. They ran great and the sound was very good--I had no complaints about them.
The E units that I saw are more of a visual "knockout" though.
For the best prices, try M.B. Klein...