. . . Bachmann announced that they will re-release the EM1 in October and the N&W J in November. Both will have DCC and economy sound. Never had the J model but the EM1 was a good runner. https://resources.bachmanntrains.com/2019nmraslc/html5/index.html
The War Production Board didn't allow new, unproven designs to be produced. This is why the Frisco bought copies of the Burlington O-5, and the Pennsy bought copies of C&O Texas types. So, what happened with the EM-1? Are they copies of the SP AC-9, with their fireboxes slimmed down to burn better coal?
The AC-9 locos were built by Lima in 1939, whereas the NP, DM&IR and B&O locos were all built by Baldwin. The NP locos date to 1928 or 1930. The DM&IR locos were built in 1941 and 1943. The B&O EM locos were built in 1944 and 1945.
Living in the southeast and seeing the J so many times when it was running in the NS steam program, I may just have to start putting back some funds for one with sound to replace my way back first run Bachman J. I also agree with Hardcoaler that those track cleaning cars are interesting.
