Paragon2 PRR M1a/M1b

rrjim1 Jun 23, 2015

  1. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

    4,325
    1,424
    77
    Which only reinforces the idea that PCM/BLI lied through their teeth in claiming all along that there weren't enough orders for production. They did a tremendous disservice to PRR modelers by poisoning the well with their fraudulent allegations. Do they think that people will believe that orders which BLI claimed for ten years were never there, suddenly materialized out thin air? Does anyone really believe that?????
     
    KevinTheSPF likes this.
  2. Virginian Railway

    Virginian Railway TrainBoard Member

    780
    44
    19
    +1
     
  3. rrjim1

    rrjim1 TrainBoard Member

    821
    12
    15
    -1 (n)
     
  4. k-59

    k-59 TrainBoard Member

    242
    29
    18
    Probably people weren't willing to pre-order a product it seemed might never be made, but once they could actually buy it from a retailer which it had it shock they jumped at it.
     
  5. Jay Gould

    Jay Gould TrainBoard Member

    109
    1
    16
    No doubt the availability of the new K4 encouraged people to also buy the M1a/b. I think the two of them might look pretty darn good on the same layout.
     
  6. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

    1,833
    468
    42
    Rumor has it that their next loco will be the T1 .......
     
  7. Sepp K

    Sepp K TrainBoard Member

    623
    3,904
    49
    I would like to see something that works for more than one railroad also. Something like the J1 2-10-4 that would work for C&O too.
     
    silentargus likes this.
  8. silentargus

    silentargus TrainBoard Member

    154
    76
    14
    BLI has already done HO models of both the C&O T1 and the PRR J1 that derived from it... that would be a great next move for them if the M1s sell the way I think they will. The H6/E24 is also a fantastic idea... there were thousands of those, split between the PRR and B&O variants. I'd buy one J1 for flavor (and because it's a darned lovely engine), but I'd buy at least a pair of consolidations every time they did a production run until I had a small fleet of them (great potential for bashing/superdetailing, too; H6s underwent a lot of modification over the ~50 years they ran for... the locations of the air reservoirs changed, there were multiple different tenders including a few that wound up with slopebacks, etc).

    In another thread, it was also noted that the Bmann Spectrum 2-8-0
    has a very similar wheelbase (within a few inches) to and the same driver diameter as the H8/9/10, with a wider boiler, and that it would save the trouble of developing a new mechanism if Bmann worked up a new shell and valve gear for the same chassis. The shell, with different add-on details, could then be repurposed for an E6s (thank you, Pennsy standardization!) at some later time. Road-specific steam and parts that can work for multiple prototypes are not mutually exclusive and could be a great way for manufacturers to save money while expanding their product lines.

    I saw a rumor on another forum, though, that there's talk of the next release being the T1 duplex? If true, I'd definitely get one, but unless released with a collectors' set like Kato does I'm not sure it would be the best course of action... The M1 and K4 are great because there were loads of them in service for decades, but the majority of the T1s lasted only about 5-6 years... but, then again, the Centipedes were pretty short-lived too and those are selling just fine! I'd just rather see a more complete selection of workaday power before another very niche engine (albeit one of my personal favorites).

    ...and my compact little 2'x4' compromise layout is starting to look really tiny. Can't wait to upgrade, even though I'm not even finished that yet. One of these years I'm going to have to just not look at the internet for a good couple months so I can't keep track of all the pretty shiny new stuff that I don't even have a reasonable use for. Or maybe I should just look at it as an incentive to stay ambitious? :cautious:
     
  9. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

    4,325
    1,424
    77
    Way, way back, many, many years ago but still in this galaxy, Model Railroader magazine did an article on a short line railroads using the ubiquitous 4X8 sheet of plywood in which they recommended the 2-8-0 as the steam engine of choice for such a small layout. The diesel of choice was the GP7/9. Of course this was for an HO layout but I think it holds true for an N scale layout of the same size or smaller. The prototype 2-8-0 was almost the ideal locomotive and although the design was eventually superseded by more modern and more powerful engines the 2-8-0 labored on in branch line as well as switching and other duties. When diesels came on the scene some of the 2-8-0's were being replaced in branch line service but many, thanks to lighter rail and bridge loading factors, were kept on the rosters. Many were sold to regional railroads and short lines. Over 33,000 of the 2-8-0 locomotives were built in the U.S.

    Due to the great running qualities of the Bachmann 2-8-0 I have made it my standard locomotive. I would love to see Bachmann use the mechanism to do a PRR H 8,9,10 (externally they were all the same) but I doubt that will happen. There simply is too many of the generic 2-8-0's out there and I doubt that the decision makers would want to tool up a new shell. As far as PRR locomotives go I would rather see an H series 2-8-0 or an I1, 2-10-0, than a T1 but the T1 is, admittedly, the more glamorous of the three.
     
  10. rogergperkins

    rogergperkins TrainBoard Member

    885
    31
    18
    I just read Spook Show (Mark's) review of the locomotive. I am pleased I have one on order.
    As for B&O, mine is undecorated but I plan to letter it for B&O.
     
  11. silentargus

    silentargus TrainBoard Member

    154
    76
    14
    Quoted this again because apparently there already is a special run of 6755, which was only distributed to select retailers. I saw these listed as in stock at trainworld, albeit for a pretty hefty sum compared to the other rd#s. No idea how many there are or which other retailers have 'em... or, for that matter, if I want that particular rd# enough to pony up 90 more bucks for it (though I'll admit it's tempting). Weird that these aren't listed at the BLI site, though.

    Good to see a positive spookshow review- it cements my desire to get a second one, though I probably won't order it until I have the first in hand.
     
  12. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

    2,879
    7,585
    71
    You would think that BLI ought to have listed the 6755 model on their website - and then mentioned that it was an exclusive for Hobbytyme.
    Also agreed that the apparent $90 premium for only a different roadnumber is simply ridiculous.

    The LHS I used to buy from (before the owner retired and closed up shop) did some business with Hobbytyme and would occasionally receive a flyer announcing an exclusive item, usually in HO scale. It seemed as though the distributor expected the dealer to publicize the offering of these special runs.

    As far as which other retailers might have it - or can get it - there is a retail dealer listing on the Hobbytyme site:
    http://www.hobbytyme.com/dealer-locator.cfm
    Also odd is that a certain dealer in MD [who we can't name here] is on the list, but they don't seem to have the 6755 model available.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2016
  13. papahnash

    papahnash TrainBoard Member

    337
    69
    17
    I think if I wanted a special # I would order it unlettered. Oh, I did, Spookshow's review pushed me over the edge.
     
  14. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

    4,325
    1,424
    77
  15. rschaffter

    rschaffter TrainBoard Member

    242
    3
    24
    I got my two. They look and run great. Sound is very good, if a bit loud. I discovered a turnout issue on my main, so I haven't tried pulling a train yet...
     
  16. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

    2,879
    7,585
    71
    A similar turnout issue (with PECO insulfrog) was mentioned over on TRW.
    Start here and read through following posts: http://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=38960.msg473964#msg473964
    If your turnouts are PECO, it seems that some paint or nail polish applied to the rails just beyond the plastic frog solves the problem.
    Apparently the driver wheel treads are wide and flat enough to short out the rails near the frog.
     
  17. PMOC

    PMOC New Member

    5
    1
    2
    Received mine Thursday but didn't have time until Saturday to try it out. Looks and sounds very nice. I know a lot of people were upset by the very long delay...twice, but I feel it was worth it. They did a really nice job. The sound is a little loud as they have the factory default settings close to maxed out so I will be turning them down a few notches. Other than that, am very happy.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  18. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

    1,833
    468
    42
    Still waiting for mine to show up at the LHS .....:(
     
  19. rschaffter

    rschaffter TrainBoard Member

    242
    3
    24
    Interesting. My issues were with Atlas C-55, and were unrelated to the locomotive; somehow I had a section of rail expand which closed the expansion joint and forced the curved stock rail out of gauge. I pulled it out and trimmed the rail, but haven't yet glued the turnout back in.
    I also had a guard rail shorted to the frog on another; turned out one M1 had tight gauge on one of the tender wheelsets. Flash had shorted it to the electrical lug for the frog; an easy fix to pop off the guard rail and file the underside. It was laid 8 years ago, and it hadn’t caused a problem before...
     
  20. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

    4,325
    1,424
    77
    I can understand how that can happen (on more than one level too). Just like I can watch a train traverse an Ntrak layout for 20 minutes with no problems but the moment I look away, Bingo! So what changed to cause the problem?
     

Share This Page