N Scale BLI PRR M1a/b Engineering sample photos on Facebook

[Bob Bufkin]

The H9 and H10 had such minor differences that unless you are a steam expert you cannot tell them apart.  The brass one I have is listed as H9/H10 on the box.

[reinhardtjh]

The H9 and H10 had such minor differences that unless you are a steam expert you cannot tell them apart.  The brass one I have is listed as H9/H10 on the box.

True.  From what I gather on the PRR Yahoo groups the biggest difference might be the tender.

[victor miranda]

h8 h9 h10
the tender is the thing that clearly states which division

in that the variations didn't stray too far from home.

the h10 tender is unique

the other two can be used interchangeably...
in that various shoppings things would change.

I think the tie breaker for me would be which tender I can set behind the g5....

I plan to get the m1.  if the price of the possible h-unit is not unreasonable
I'll build an e-6 under it.

victor

[chicken45]

BLI has a whole stable of PRR steam they've done in HO - K4s, I1sa, H10s, J1/J1a, T1 and the S2 but, yeah, if any I'd guess the K4s would be next.  It would sure shut up a lot of PRR fans.    But a good I1sa would be fantastic.  Unfortunately, the H10s was mostly a Lines West engine, at least initially.  They did migrate east as steam faded.  The H8 and H9 were more common in the East as far as i can tell.

Ha ha! I would love nothing more than to be "shut up" on this. 

[muktown128]

I was thinking about the H8, H9, H10, since these were so common.  They would be next after a K4.  Although a J would be cool.  Based on Dr. Vollmer's theory, a T1 should be on the list of items from BLI.  Yes, definitely a good time to model the PRR.

Scott

[chicken45]

OOH! I just thought of something! If the T1 comes to N, it likely will not have independent drivers.
I'LL STILL HAVE SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT! SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET WIN WIN WIN!

[bbussey]

If the M1 series is successful enough to persuade BLI to continue with Pennsy steam releases ... the K4 is the glamorous flashy popular choice, but the H8/9/10 series is the more practical choice from a business standpoint.  A lot more consumers model freight service than passenger service and, even if they model both, they would be more inclined to buy multiples of a freight unit than a passenger unit.  The K4 would get released at some point, but I think at least one H-series model (if not all) will precede it.

[Chris333]

I remember in some video they said the PRR 2-8-0 in HO was their most requested locomotive ever.

[Dave V]

I agree...  There was a stable of H9s out of Lewistown as late as '57, but I'd be happy with an H10 as well!

Here's the only problem I see with that...  the H-class isn't a very big loco.  Not sure how easily they can cram their dual-mode DC/DCC QSI system into a tiny tender.  At least the H10 Lines West tender (which isn't really correct for my locale) has those tall, sloping extensions for the coal box that could make some room.

Besides, if BLI actually made a decent-running RTR K4 then 30% of the thread traffic on the Railwire would dry up!

[Kisatchie]

Besides, if BLI actually made a decent-running RTR K4 then 30% of the thread traffic on the Railwire would dry up!

Hmm... we can't allow
that to happen...

[robert3985]

Although I'm obviously not a SPF, I'm happy as hell that this engine is finally coming to fruition.  If the sale on this one, and the Kato FEF are as successful as I hope they'll be, that would bode well for more North American steam.  You guys could very well get your K4 or H-whatever and the SUPF's could get our TTT or Heavy MacArthur, and the SSPF's could get their MT-4's and/or their AC-9's.  With all that steam out there, I'd assume that the rolling stock manufacturers would chip in with more 40's and 50's cars... yeah!!...good things all around potentially!

The golden age of N-scale is here.

[Bob Bufkin]

I would actually prefer a short of regular tender with the M1s.  I can do without the sound and the short tenders will run round sharper curves.  Same with the K4. 

[Dave V]

I would actually prefer a short of regular tender with the M1s.  I can do without the sound and the short tenders will run round sharper curves.  Same with the K4.

Very few M1s pulled shorter tenders after World War II...  My humble opinion is that the 210F75 is part of what makes the M1 the "mountain."  As an SPF, I'm sure you know that it was Pennsy's M1 class that were first called "mountains."

But for your purposes, Bob, BLI's description says it can handle 9.75" radius curves. It probably won't look so good doing it, but hey...  If they'd have gone with the welded coast-to-coast with the 8-wheeled trucks, I imagine that would have been a higher minimum radius.

Although I want mine with bells and whistles (literally), I know there's a market for DC and quiet only.

[dougnelson]

I believe that the T1 was their biggest seller in HO.  Lots of appeal to those non-SPFs.  Bachmann had already done a K4 in HO.  Probably most N scaler's choice would be the K4.  If BLI does the K4 everyone has to buy at least 4.

[Bob Bufkin]

Very few M1s pulled shorter tenders after World War II...  My humble opinion is that the 210F75 is part of what makes the M1 the "mountain."  As an SPF, I'm sure you know that it was Pennsy's M1 class that were first called "mountains."

But for your purposes, Bob, BLI's description says it can handle 9.75" radius curves. It probably won't look so good doing it, but hey...  If they'd have gone with the welded coast-to-coast with the 8-wheeled trucks, I imagine that would have been a higher minimum radius.

Although I want mine with bells and whistles (literally), I know there's a market for DC and quiet only.

Dave I have a brass M1 with the long distance tender and all the bells and whistles.  That banshee whistle sends chills down you spine.  Looks good, sounds good but really lacks running ability.  Loses power at the drop of a hat.  And it does look funny on my sharper curves.  The tender has a habit of derailing..