New Model Power 4-6-2 ... with sound?

[MVW]

OK, am I the only one who didn't know this was coming?

http://blwnscale.com/mp-462-pacific.htm

A revamped 4-6-2.

I've never run one of these. Spookshow sites pickup problems as just one of many negatives with the original models. The new version has added pickup from the pilot truck.

I've also never heard MRC sound, but I don't know if anybody would consider that a big plus.

It will be interesting to see how it performs. A good-running 4-6-2 would be most welcome.

Jim

[CodyO]

Never heard anything until seeing that today, would be nice if it was a good runner

[TVRR]

Almost any of their engines, with an all wheel tender added, work flawlessly. I put DCC and Sound into one and have run it for a couple of years now, it creeps or flies on command. Any  messing with the driver wipers is a real no no though. They now run as well as any steamer I own.

[Cajonpassfan]

Cautiously optimistic here....
But Rapido couplers, in 2015, really?
Otto K.

[mu26aeh]

Cautiously optimistic here....
But Rapido couplers, in 2015, really?
Otto K.

On BLW's page, it states "Please note: all photos are of previous run Model Power locos. They are used for illustration purposes only. New production will feature knuckle type couplers, as well as mechanism and paint scheme modifications / upgrades. "

BLW also has a link for MP Mikado 2-8-2's

[Cajonpassfan]

Ahh, thank you. Still cautiously optimistic here
Otto

[TVRR]

Just pre-ordered a Crescent Limited should look great with the 2-8-0 and 4-8-2 B'mann green machines. I don't own any  MRC sound, anyone care to comment on their system?

[mmagliaro]

$130 or so (without sound) seems like a reasonable price to me.
However, it's not clear whether they added all-wheel electrical pickup in the tender from the notes
on the BLW site.  If they only added pickup on the pilot wheel,  I will pass.

The other unknown is whether they did anything about how the drivers are mounted on the axles.
That is a notorious failure point on these engines.  Those drivers slip on the axle, so they are out of quarter,
and even after you get them realigned, it is sometimes impossible to ever get them to stay again.
Believe me, I've been down that road repairing these.  If they haven't fixed that problem, I would
also pass.

Odd that BLW lists this, yet MRC's website says nothing about it yet.

[Chris333]

No new tender trucks listed so I'm not holding my breath. Also the pilot wheel pick-ups sounds like they are saying "now the pilot wheels won't spin", but I guess at least then they would match the tender wheels 

[BeastofTheEast]

They need to get rid of those damn molded on boiler handrails. Filing them off is a nightmare, and drilling small holes for stantions into their diecast is almost impossible.

[spookshow]

Ajin made a few improvements to the MP 4-4-0 when they did a run for Micro-Trains a few years ago (improved axle wipers on the tender trucks and extensions running from the driver wipers up to the rear pilot truck wheels). My guess is that that's what we're going to see on these new MRC models, but I won't know for sure until I get my hands on one.

Cheers,
-Mark

[Chris333]

"improved axle wipers" are still axle wipers. Just sayin'

FWIW they have the 2-8-2's listed as well:
http://www.blwnscale.com/mp-282-mikado.htm

[spookshow]

"improved axle wipers" are still axle wipers. Just sayin'

Oh, for sure. Not saying it was an optimal solution, but it was at least an improvement over what used to be there. The MTL 4-4-0 I tested ran (and pulled) about as well as my modified MP 4-4-0 (the one where I replaced the stock tender trucks with Bachmann trucks).

Cheers,
-Mark

[u18b]

Remember- I'm a diesel guy.

But I would say a truly state of the art Pacific is the biggest gap in N scale right now.

Diesels are wonderfully getting to some of the more esoteric/less popular stuff.  That's great.

But the MP pacific is about all we have.

Kato doesn't make one.
Bachmann doesn't make  one.

I have a MP pacific that runs pretty well.  I like it.
But taking it apart is a nightmare.  Controlling the headlight in DCC can be a challenge (IIRC).
And no low friction needle bearings picking up juice from all tender wheels?

I'm glad they will be "improving pickup" - but let's hope it is a good job.

So don't get me wrong.  I wish them well.

But we still don't have a highly detailed, plastic, low friction truck, all wheel pickup Pacific.

[u18b]

Oh.

And I REALLY wish someone would make my favorite Pacific.

The Atlanta & West Point number 290.

It was restored around 1990 and my family road on an Atlanta/Montgomery excursion.




Today, it lies in pieces awaiting another restoration in Duluth Georgia at the Southeastern Railway Museum.




But I did get a good roof shot of the auxiliary water tender the last time Chessiefan and I were in Duluth.