Well, I won't be buying it personally, because it would look kind of out of place on Yuba Pass, LOL!, but I have to admit that that's one big beautiful HUNKER of a big non-articulated loco.
I noticed that the front driver of the second set is blank, which leads me to my next question--what minimum radius did BLI design this loco for? Since it is a Duplex, I'd be very doubtful that BLI decided to 'articulate' the mechanism, and those drivers look BIG. I mean, we're actually talking 4-10-4 here, if you ignore the second set of pistons. For 'mass market' value are they thinking a minimum of 24" radius or so? I'd hate to think of the overhang on that baby!
But I'll tell you, if that big lokie is all BRASS, then for THAT price, BLI ought to start thinking about maybe heading 'down' in scope and putting out some smaller wheel arrangements. Maybe some road-specific 4-6-2 or 2-8-2 lokies?
That's one gorgeous locomotive. And I'm still staggered about the price for BRASS! Whew!
Tom
PS: Crandell--when does yours arrive?
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!
twhiteI noticed that the front driver of the second set is blank, which leads me to my next question--what minimum radius did BLI design this loco for? Since it is a Duplex, I'd be very doubtful that BLI decided to 'articulate' the mechanism, and those drivers look BIG. I mean, we're actually talking 4-10-4 here, if you ignore the second set of pistons. For 'mass market' value are they thinking a minimum of 24" radius or so? I'd hate to think of the overhang on that baby
The specifications below show 22" or greater on the BLI page. I would guess greater is a key term here. Mine is on its way.
Did you get the NP Z6 from Sunset yet? I have one of those on layaway and it looks very nice overall.
CZ
My thought is you have to buy what is available and continue to email BLI, Atlas and Athearn or anyone out there that will listen to our wants in the future. Some have actually come true.
No, I don't have to buy what is available because there's nothing being produced right now that I just HAVE to have. I have mailed the usual suspects multiple times telling them what I want. Apparently, they don't want my money and apparently there aren't enough people who want the same things I do. Either that, or the usual suspects aren't willing to take any risks, preferring instead to crank out endless variations on the same tired big locomotive theme.
Andre
twhitePS: Crandell--when does yours arrive?
Tom, I have asked BLI to hold mine until mid-March. Wife and I will be away from home for a while and we won't be able to receive it. They have agreed, and will ship my repaired Y at the same time.
With my tastes and interests, and with the price point for the features, this one is a no-brainer.
-Crandell
rjake4454 I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel lucky that my favorite engines are being produced, but that doesn't mean other models shouldn't be made for fellows like yourself. I think Crandell a few months ago said that Broadway should look out for the other guys, the non PRR guys, I feel the same way as him, even though we are both PRR fans.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel lucky that my favorite engines are being produced, but that doesn't mean other models shouldn't be made for fellows like yourself.
I think Crandell a few months ago said that Broadway should look out for the other guys, the non PRR guys, I feel the same way as him, even though we are both PRR fans.
I like the idea of "customer service". This thing used to be that you would make various models that reached out towards a larger audience than what we see now. Now we make what SELLS. If that means that the Big Boy/Challenger/FEF is what sells then that is what is produced. Forget every other client base out there.
I'm not saying that the profit motive is wrong--it is just how that motive has become the ONLY motive left that is problematic here. Margins have become more 'inflated' as well. I have a couple of books on the retail/cottage industry sector from the mid 1990's that had margin set at 20-25%. Now we talk of about 40%. Interesting this---
Me. Huh--rather start working on the models--
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
andrechapelon My thought is you have to buy what is available and continue to email BLI, Atlas and Athearn or anyone out there that will listen to our wants in the future. Some have actually come true. No, I don't have to buy what is available because there's nothing being produced right now that I just HAVE to have. I have mailed the usual suspects multiple times telling them what I want. Apparently, they don't want my money and apparently there aren't enough people who want the same things I do. Either that, or the usual suspects aren't willing to take any risks, preferring instead to crank out endless variations on the same tired big locomotive theme. Andre
Again, I'm in complete agreement with Andre. In my case Bachmann, Proto and to some extent Athearn seem interested in my money, so it keeps going there.
If BLI keeps making PRR monsters, or gives up on lower priced non sound/DCC they will loose what little business they have gotten from me.
I have bought from them:
2 - STEALTH Reading T-1's (these are the only BLI/PCM locos I paid anything near full price for)
2 sets of PCM STEALTH F3's (really cheap from factory direct trains)
1 - first release N&W class A (at the super sale price factory closeout to justify removing the sound/DCC)
1 - Blue Line 2-8-2 Heavy (at a good price - tender replaced in kit bashing project)
1 - Powerhouse 2-8-2 Heavy (bought used at a good price - also kit bashed with different tender)
I will not pay $300, $400 or more for locos that I will then have to modify to run on my DC system. I will pay fair prices for non DCC/non sound locos I need/want - regardless of their pysical size.
Sheldon
Even though I am a big fan of DCC and sound, I gotta agree with Sheldon on this one. I'd rather buy them plain jane and upgrade them. A DCC and sound READY loco can serve both markets whereas a DCC and sound equipped model only serves one. The DCC and sound upgrade can be done incrementally.