I'm still looking for the single headlight fitting to backdate my BL2's as in MR Aug2004, but I've been told the part, custom finishing #CF210 is no longer available,I've tried other methods but it just doesn't look right. If anyone comes across any of these parts anywhere please let me know, it sure would help!
Keeping the BL2 alive in Australia!
Warren
I'm a big BL2 fan and have more than the Monon did, though only 4 in black and gold so far and a couple in my own road scheme,all of mine have needed curing of split gears, even the one I have from the last run... I notice also the detail parts on the later loco are much finer than the first run models.
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I've been trying without sucess to locate some of the custom finishing BL2 single headlight conversion parts to backdate my locos, if anyone knows where I can find some I'd love to hear from you
There's one trhat works, worked in KY Rail Museum. They might have cab pics or be willing to get some for you.
-Morgan
Another BL2 is on display at the Coles Transporation Museum in Bangor, ME. It is BAR 557. It is indoors, and is set up as a static display.
http://www.colemuseum.org/virtual_tour.cfm?node=node_five
In their virtual tour, click on "Fire Engine Lane" and it should come up. You need Quicktime to see the virtual tour.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I wish I could help with cab pics. The day I shot the video in Belington I was angling hard for a cab ride, but it was denied because it had snowed the night before, and they were concerned about the safety of the grade crossings. The train had to stop at several locations so they could clear ice that had built up in the flangeways.
If I'd have been thinking, I would have handed my camera to the engineer and let him shoot some interior shots between stops, but alas, hindsight is 20/20!
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
They were also 10 tons lighter than an SW7 and 17 tons lighter than a GP7.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
Frist I like to say I love the fact one is still running. If there is any PIC of the cab please post. I have PK2 4 BL2's in Monnon Paint. They are great pullers after I replaced the cracked gears. 1 of them will pull 35 cars up a 1.5% grade.
I will re read later to see if I missed the DCC sound converson details.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
The prime mover isn't the issue... the BL-2 used a cast frame with a truss design, similar, but smaller than the F unit.
The rivet pattern along the skirting reveals the truss carbody structure.
Access to the prime mover and generator were through the end doors, with walkways on the interior along either side of the diesel engine, just like an F unit.
Unlike the F's truss system, which rose to the full height of the sidewall, the BL's truss stays within the sloped "fender" to allow the engine crew to see to the rear for switching operations. This contributed to the weakness of the frame, which also kept the BL's limited to the lead unit on MU lashups, and restricted them from helper service on the WM.
The BL2 is essentially a design prior to the GP units, you can run them err...hood first than like the F units essentially one direction engines. They used similar prime movers as used in F units hence its wider hood design than the GP units. You would have to use them as the lead MU unit to avoid the cracking frame, they didnt have that good of a frame, hence they fare better on the smaller lines needing the multi-directional capabilities it had for switching like local work.
They filled shoes of steam lines dieselizing for an engine that could be multi-use.
This is how the Wikipedia entry on the BL1/BL2 reads now. Thanks to Fritz Milhaupt for the clarification.
"The BL1 and BL2 differed only in mechanical details. The only BL1 was built with an air-actuated throttle and could not MU with other units. The air throttle was replaced with a standard electrically-actuated throttle and became essentially a BL2. The production BL2 used the standard electrically actuated throttle as used in the F3 and 58 BL2s were built and sold to a few railroads, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States."
Ed
Thank you for the citation. I think I read it in a Hundman publication about the air throttle. I am going to update the Wiki page to the correct terminology of air actuated or electrically actuated throttle. You can't do that to a 35-year-old book.
My SWAG on the BL2s with Blomberg Ms is that the Proto BL2 and GP60 were somehow on the same production line. The BL2 and GP60 have basically the same wheelbase at 35'. I saw one of these BL2s in a hobby shop and had a good laugh.
fmilhaupt wrote: In John Paton's Chespapeake & Ohio BL2 Diesels (C&OHS, 1991), he explains the difference between the BL1 and the BL2 as being that the BL1 had an air-actuated throttle, while the BL2 was the version built with an electrically-actuated throttle like that used on the F3.BL1 demonstrator #499 (EMD project #89499) was built and demonstrated with the air-actuated throttle, but all production models had the conventional electrically-activiated throttles which permitted them to be MUed with other locomotives. #499 was converted to an electrically-actuated throttle and equipped with MU hardware before its sale to the C&EI.The C&O (which had the largest fleet of BL2s of any road) found that MUing BL2s put a good deal of strain on the frames, leading to frame cracking problems. Minor cracks were just patch-welded, but major frame cracking took BL2 #84 out of service for good by 1959. I'm not certain where Life-Like got the idea that the BL2 had the late-1970s-style Blomberg Type M trucks with "shock absorbers" they used on their HO model, but I haven't seen a photo showing any BL2 in prototypical service with that kind of modern truck beneath it. The sideframes from their GP7 , or the Athearn GP7, look much more convincing and are easy to substitute.
In John Paton's Chespapeake & Ohio BL2 Diesels (C&OHS, 1991), he explains the difference between the BL1 and the BL2 as being that the BL1 had an air-actuated throttle, while the BL2 was the version built with an electrically-actuated throttle like that used on the F3.
BL1 demonstrator #499 (EMD project #89499) was built and demonstrated with the air-actuated throttle, but all production models had the conventional electrically-activiated throttles which permitted them to be MUed with other locomotives. #499 was converted to an electrically-actuated throttle and equipped with MU hardware before its sale to the C&EI.
The C&O (which had the largest fleet of BL2s of any road) found that MUing BL2s put a good deal of strain on the frames, leading to frame cracking problems. Minor cracks were just patch-welded, but major frame cracking took BL2 #84 out of service for good by 1959.
I'm not certain where Life-Like got the idea that the BL2 had the late-1970s-style Blomberg Type M trucks with "shock absorbers" they used on their HO model, but I haven't seen a photo showing any BL2 in prototypical service with that kind of modern truck beneath it. The sideframes from their GP7 , or the Athearn GP7, look much more convincing and are easy to substitute.
I wrote that entry in Wikipedia, will have to find the source again, but the BL1 was built with an air throttle. The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide is a great 35-year-old book that is quite dated. If you want to bank on that book, I know what kind of research you do.
Flashwave wrote: Pathfinder wrote: wm3798 wrote: I believe BL-1 was their designation for the demonstrator model only. Not sure if it ended up in service anywhere..... According to the Second Diesel Spotters Guide, Page EMD 51 and 52, there was no difference between the BL-1 and BL-2. Just an example of over eager model numbering at EMD.The BL-1 was the demo, EMD road number 499. It was sold to C&EI who also had BL-2s. They reported no differences. I know, don't trust Wikipedia.The BL1 and BL2 differed only in mechanical details. The only BL1 was built with an air throttle and could not MU with other units. The air throttle was replaced with a standard mechanical throttle and became essentially a BL2. The production BL2 used a mechanical throttle and 58 BL2s were built and sold to a few railroads, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States.So the BL-1 wasn't a team player
Pathfinder wrote: wm3798 wrote: I believe BL-1 was their designation for the demonstrator model only. Not sure if it ended up in service anywhere..... According to the Second Diesel Spotters Guide, Page EMD 51 and 52, there was no difference between the BL-1 and BL-2. Just an example of over eager model numbering at EMD.The BL-1 was the demo, EMD road number 499. It was sold to C&EI who also had BL-2s. They reported no differences.
wm3798 wrote: I believe BL-1 was their designation for the demonstrator model only. Not sure if it ended up in service anywhere.....
I believe BL-1 was their designation for the demonstrator model only. Not sure if it ended up in service anywhere.....
According to the Second Diesel Spotters Guide, Page EMD 51 and 52, there was no difference between the BL-1 and BL-2. Just an example of over eager model numbering at EMD.The BL-1 was the demo, EMD road number 499. It was sold to C&EI who also had BL-2s. They reported no differences.
I know, don't trust Wikipedia.
The BL1 and BL2 differed only in mechanical details. The only BL1 was built with an air throttle and could not MU with other units. The air throttle was replaced with a standard mechanical throttle and became essentially a BL2. The production BL2 used a mechanical throttle and 58 BL2s were built and sold to a few railroads, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States.
So the BL-1 wasn't a team player
As from The Second Diesel Spotters Guide:"EMD demonstrator no. 499, officially a "BL1", is indistinguishable from BL2's. Many persons, including EMD's own public relations people, have said that lack of m.u. distinguishes the BL1 from BL2's, but this builder view plainly shows that 499 was m.u.-equipped. Also, BM's BL2's did lack m.u. but were BL2's nevertheless."I can not post the picture (it is on page EMD 52, a rear view of 499) as I do not have it but maybe it’s the different kind of m.u.?However, I would trust a book like the Guide over an unnamed author web entry, take mine as you see fit
wm3798 wrote:I believe BL-1 was their designation for the demonstrator model only. Not sure if it ended up in service anywhere.....
wm3798 wrote: I believe BL-1 was their designation for the demonstrator model only. Not sure if it ended up in service anywhere.There were two BL-2's on the Western Maryland, and both are still in existence. 81 is under glass at the Beano Museum in Baltimore, unlikely to ever run again, although it came into town as part of an operating lashup pulling a revenue freight (this was in the early 80's after she had been retired from yard service at Hagerstown) The nitwits at the museum didn't cover the stacks, so water got into the manifold and now everything is locked up with internal rust.Happily, her sister, #82, is still alive and well, and still in revenue service on the West Virginia Central in Belington, WV. Here's a video of her I shot when I was in the area in February of 2007.I have both models on my N scale layout: Lee
I believe BL-1 was their designation for the demonstrator model only. Not sure if it ended up in service anywhere.
There were two BL-2's on the Western Maryland, and both are still in existence. 81 is under glass at the Beano Museum in Baltimore, unlikely to ever run again, although it came into town as part of an operating lashup pulling a revenue freight (this was in the early 80's after she had been retired from yard service at Hagerstown)
The nitwits at the museum didn't cover the stacks, so water got into the manifold and now everything is locked up with internal rust.
Happily, her sister, #82, is still alive and well, and still in revenue service on the West Virginia Central in Belington, WV.
Here's a video of her I shot when I was in the area in February of 2007.
I have both models on my N scale layout:
Mechanical difference. I believe a read something about a Rock Island BL-1. But they sran the demo, then upgraded the product.
I bought the last two Blue box blts from a hobby store for 33 a piece. Undecs, one may become a Demo, or they may both become HO&N
Flashwave wrote: garya wrote:Life-Like also has a BL2 in N scale, as well as the Proto 2000 in HO. A friend of mine collects them--he has 33. I believe there were only something like 58 made by EMD, so he's more than halfway there. Does your friend have a photogallery? Please say yes so I can drool on my keyboard again.
garya wrote:Life-Like also has a BL2 in N scale, as well as the Proto 2000 in HO. A friend of mine collects them--he has 33. I believe there were only something like 58 made by EMD, so he's more than halfway there.
Does your friend have a photogallery? Please say yes so I can drool on my keyboard again.
Gary
Jon:Which decoder is that?
The P2K model is an excellent starting point for detailling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIwSpPcOmCQ
Jon
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AHM also had the in the 60's, but they weren't real good models or runners. ( I have at least 4 of them )
I also have 4 of the early Proto 2000's. All 4 cracked the axle gears. Lifelike sent free replacements. They run and look great.
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
Here is the list of roadnames from the last run:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Locomotive&scale=H&manu=920&item=&keywords=BL2&instock=Q&showdisc=Y&split=30&Submit=Search
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
Don Z wrote: Proto 2000 made them at one time. Here are some available on eBay:http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=proto+2000+BL2&category0=Don Z.
Proto 2000 made them at one time. Here are some available on eBay:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=proto+2000+BL2&category0=
Did they do any in the Demo scheme?
Also, the Prot BL2s in yellow boxes usually come with cracked axle gears. You'll probably need to replace them. Blue boxes have DCC plugs on them Yellows don't. (they predate DCC). Both are solid runners.