BLI Pennsylvania M1a/b

[eric220]

With the imminent arrival of the M1 in the hot little hands of very eager consumers, I thought it would be appropriate to move the conversation out of the BLI Watch thread.  We'll start here:

Can't wait to see who's first to disprove the vaporware allegations with their own eyes and hands!

[wcfn100]

Can't wait to see who's first to disprove the vaporware allegations with their own eyes and hands!

Hopefully they'll each start their own threads about it.

Jason

[Dave V]

Again, there was a lengthy period of time when I thought this model would never be transformed from thought into matter.  I am very, very glad to have been wrong about that and I will happily choke down an entire humble pie.

While I wait for mine to transit the country I'll talk about why I chose the two that I did:  M1bs 6704 and 6716.  M1bs only existed postwar (1956) so if you're modeling postwar Pennsy you're probably safe with M1bs.  But the real selling point for me was that the advertising art showed the M1as as having prewar step pilots/headlight position and the compressed 30s/early 40s tender lettering, while the M1b art showed the postwar facelift, drop pilot, and extended tender lettering.

For most Pennsy steam locomotives I'm inclined to prefer the prewar looks (K4, L1, etc.) but for the M1, I think they looked the best in their final configuration...which just happens to be correct for my era.   

Oh, and some "ambience" as we discuss:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I must disagree. Look as this pretty lady.

[Dave V]

I must disagree. Look as this pretty lady.

Point of order, Dr K...  She is indeed pretty, but not a configuration or scheme offered by BLI, so...   

But yeah, those M1s that had slot pilots and smokebox front-mounted headlights were quite pretty...especially with the as-built pinstriping!  However, the post-war drop coupler pilot is pretty badass.  Like a giant damn shovel made from an anvil that says "get the f*** out da way, b*tch!"

[eric220]

Far be it for me to disagree with the admin formerly known as Powdered Toast Man, but I still very much prefer my Pennsylvania steam unbeautified. That as-built scheme is hot, but to me, the epitome is the slat pilot and low headlamp with the large centered "Pennsylvania," followed by the step pilot. There was at least one loco in that video with a low headlamp and a cast pilot that doesn't look half bad. For me that raised headlamp, however logical, just wrecks the aesthetics. Thank goodness my alternative history lets me justify non-beautified steam!

[Dave V]

Far be it for me to disagree with the admin formerly known as Powdered Toast Man, but I still very much prefer my Pennsylvania steam unbeautified. That as-built scheme is hot, but to me, the epitome is the slat pilot and low headlamp with the large centered "Pennsylvania," followed by the step pilot. There was at least one loco in that video with a low headlamp and a cast pilot that doesn't look half bad. For me that raised headlamp, however logical, just wrecks the aesthetics. Thank goodness my alternative history lets me justify non-beautified steam!

Indeed.  It is a truth that all Pennsy steam is beautiful to someone.   

[basementcalling]

I must disagree. Look as this pretty lady.

Pretty? She's got a blunt face, lopsided boobs (domes), and thick legs.    She does have a flat belly (Belpair firebox) and a huge tender (a$$).

Hope y'all find lots to slobber over in appreciation after so long a season of anticipation. Guess 2016 is going down in history as a good year to be a Pennsy freak.

[eric220]

Slobbering Pennsy Freak, and don't you forget it! 

[djconway]

As long as it has a keystone on the smoke box door and a Belpair firebox she looks fine to me.
Send along her ugly brother the I1 and I'll be real happy.

[ljudice]

[peteski]

And he will use the binoculars to watch for the delivery drone! 

[Dave V]

Mine is scheduled to arrive Saturday but a late-season winter storm might screw that up...  I love Colorado but these April/May snowfalls are a pain in the a$$!  Especially for the wife who is an avid vegetable gardener.  And no 420 jokes please!    I'm a federal employee and forbidden to partake.

[Joetrain59]

I've forgotten the reason for the "dog house" on the tender.
 Joe D

[dougnelson]

But the real selling point for me was that the advertising art showed the M1as as having prewar step pilots/headlight position and the compressed 30s/early 40s tender lettering, while the M1b art showed the postwar facelift, drop pilot, and extended tender lettering.

From the photos posted on MB Klein, both the M1a and M1b have the extended lettering on the tender, and both also have train phone antenna on the tender.  The main differences are the pilot and headlight/generator positions. This would make the M1a appropriate for mid-1940s to mid-1950s, and the M1b for 1950s.

I'm getting one of each. Gotta go - time to check the USPS tracking progress.