PRR M1a/b test shots from BLI

[Dave V]

Fair enough Dave, it's just this time there's actually something to see and look at, all those previous announcements had either drawings or images of the HO models with them. I think a bit more weight can be put into the current announcement that these will actually show up.

...which is why I said we might actually see them.   

I don't want to go down a bashing road...  My opinions of previous manifestations of BLI's N scale foray (aka PCM) are well known.  I want to be as positive as is warranted by this development, to the point where I enthusiastically shared it on the Juniata Division's Facebook page.  However, I remember being told some time around 2007 that tooling was "underway."  Granted, these are the very first pictures anyone has ever seen of the product.  But, it's not a 100% certainty that this will go to production...much depends on whether the pilot models are up to snuff, whether the motor, electronics, and running gear all fit together properly, etc.

That they've gone this far suggests that they have enough pre-orders to feel confident, as pre-orders were the most common reason cited for delays.  I don't want to get into a semantics game over the word "might," but since I model the Middle Division when these locos were king, I've been stung just too many times pinning my hopes on this.  In fact, I kitbashed my own M1 back in 2006 out of frustration.

It does seem that BLI has reinvigorated its N scale line.  I wish BLI all the best.  If their first N scale steamer comes close to the quality of its HO scale offerings, then we're in for a new era of N scale Pennsy modeling.  And, if one or two do finally end up in my stable...and they are reliable...I will be grateful in a way that will border on groveling.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

[Leggy]

A Canadian friend says the shell with the cab isn't CP, not 100% going to write it off as anything Canadian tho.

[Chris333]

Aren't they gonna be like $400 anyways??

[reinhardtjh]

Aren't they gonna be like $400 anyways??

3 prices from some of my LHS in the Cincinnati area: $279.99, $274.99 and $262.50 (One of which posts here)
$262.49 @ BLW  http://www.blwnscale.com/pcm-prr-m1.htm

$297.50 @ Wig-Wag http://wig-wag-trains-cart.com/broadway-limited-imports/bli-n-4-8-2-m1a-steam-locomotives

$265.00 @ Feather River  http://www.featherrivertrains.com/cgi-bin/webstore/shop.cgi?ud=BwcEAQQIDwUCABQUEhARHQQABgYFAAECBAgSEAAA&storeid=1&c=search.htm&categories=050005-102009

List is $349.99 so those are all discounted pre-order prices.  Post delivery prices may be different.

[pjm20]

Let the age of the Keystone begin!!!!!

Man I can't wait to get my hands on 5 or 6 or more. And then there the M1b. Anybody going to get 46 M1bs to replicate the entire class? 

[bbussey]

... That they've gone this far suggests that they have enough pre-orders to feel confident, as pre-orders were the most common reason cited for delays.  I don't want to get into a semantics game over the word "might," but since I model the Middle Division when these locos were king, I've been stung just too many times pinning my hopes on this.  In fact, I kitbashed my own M1 back in 2006 out of frustration ...

These we're still active in 1956?

[Bob Bufkin]

Yes, still active.  PRR completly dieselized in 1957. 

[MichaelWinicki]

These we're still active in 1956?

It depended on the line they were being run on.

For example steam lingered longer on the Elmira Branch. 

The Buffalo line was devoid of steam by '55.  As a matter of fact in our local yard, the turntable was pulled in '53.

[reinhardtjh]

The Buffalo line was devoid of steam by '55.  As a matter of fact in our local yard, the turntable was pulled in '53.

Don't remind me.   

In the Pittsburgh Division where the Juniata lives there were still 56 M1's of various types in March 1956.  Only 8 by July 1957.  Only 10 total not in a deadline in Altoona or Columbus.  The other 2 were in the Northern Division.  God knows where. Sure weren't on the Buffalo Line.

PRR M1 distribution March 1, 1956 from M.P.229

Division M1 M1a M1b Total New York 0 0 0 0 Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 Chesapeake 0 0 0 0 Pittsburgh 27 4 25 56 Northern 5 1 8 14 Lake 0 0 0 0 Buckeye 12 1 6 19 Northwestern 0 0 0 0 Southwestern 0 0 0 0 Total 44 6 39 89 PRR M1 distribution July 1, 1957 from M.P.229 Division M1 M1a M1b Total New York 0 0 0 0 Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 Chesapeake 0 0 0 0 Pittsburgh 3 0 5 8 Northern 1 0 1 2 Lake 0 0 0 0 Buckeye 0 0 0 0 Northwestern 0 0 0 0 Southwestern 0 0 0 0 Total 4 0 6 10

[Dave V]

In 1956 close to half of the freight on the Middle Division moved behind M1s.

[ljudice]

Still one around - at the RR Museum of PA:



My son with one of the drivers....

[chessie system fan]

That mystery boiler looks germanic to my eye.  Remember that Precision Craft did a German steamer way back when.

It also looks decently close to a US Army 2-8-0 of some sort.

[nstars]

That mystery boiler looks germanic to my eye.  Remember that Precision Craft did a German steamer way back when.

It also looks decently close to a US Army 2-8-0 of some sort.

I checked with my brother (he is a walking cyclopedia) and we both think it's a german BR52 decapod. This is a very basic german war locomotive, which you still can find in running condition at many museum lines.



Marc

[peteski]

I checked with my brother (he is a walking cyclopedia) and we both think it's a german BR52 decapod. This is a very basic german war locomotive, which you still can find in running condition at many museum lines.

Marc

Interesting.  Don't both Minitirx and Fleischmann already make a model of that loco?  Do we need another one?

I also realize that this is totally OT for this thread.