BLI USRA 2-8-2

[prr7161]

Just curious, would the shell work for a 4-6-2 as well?

Yes and no.  The firebox and a lot of appurtenances were reused for the heavy Pacifics (Erie / C&EI) but the full boiler is a little fat - by about 10".  Depends on how much that matters to you.  The "look" of the firebox, cab, and domes is close enough to my eye,

[Chris333]

Exactly. No one wants their sound or DCC and I can buy Kato mikes for $60.

[Chris333]

I'll give them credit though, I can see through the tender steps 

[Maletrain]

Welll, maybe they will do a Light Mike.  And put the headlight in the high position.  Or maybe Bachmann will do one like that.  I am getting tired of waiting for MRC to update their shell and tender pick-up.

It is odd that the N scale world is kind of short on good Mike models, considering how many there were on the prototypes, and how many really unusual prototypes are being modeled in N scale.

[CodyO]

Them doing a PRR H-class in N requires a much bigger shoehorn to fit their flawed HO decoders into such a small tender.

Apparently all that "Rolling Thunder" nonsense takes up a lot of room, hence why their N-scale offerings have been larger locomotives. And that is precisely what Ken Sylvestri told me.
When I then posed the thought that perhaps they could just exclude the "Rolling Thunder" so that they could offer the H-class in N, Ken just got more uppity and dismissive.

It was at that point that I swore off ever buying any BLI product as new. If I ever own anything BLI it'll be either inherited or bought secondhand (and promptly gutted of it's inferior decoder and suitably upgraded with more appropriate hardware).

Tender on the 2-8-2 looks pretty short. I mean you can diss their products all you want but at least they manufactor and bring models to market which many of us will gladly buy and run.

I might pass on the USRA mikado but if they Pennsy it up I'll be down for a few L1's.

[Mark W]

Fixed it.


https://i.imgur.com/ZHbViO2.jpg

[mu26aeh]

Maybe it should have an orange/reddish tone due to the fire box/coal loading ?

[StarCruiser]

If it's good - i.e. a good runner, looks correct, has proper prototype features (per road - as much as is practical) and DOESN'T cost an arm and a leg - I'm in...

[Mark W]

Maybe it should have an orange/reddish tone due to the fire box/coal loading ?

Ah, of course.

This color shouldn't be too controversial...


https://i.imgur.com/pUXxUEX.jpg

[Altoona]

Just maybe they will invest a little time and money to do the PRR L2 ( PRR had 6 USRA mikes which were pennsyfied ( high headlight))

Judd Barton

[Lemosteam]

I'm kinda wondering if the Bachmann K4 shell will fit on the BLI chassis.  Instant L1, save for the sand tubes and dome locations which are removable on the Bachmann shell.  The bachmann K4 tender shell might be a reasonable stand in too.

[CodyO]

I'm kinda wondering if the Bachmann K4 shell will fit on the BLI chassis.  Instant L1, save for the sand tubes and dome locations which are removable on the Bachmann shell.  The bachmann K4 tender shell might be a reasonable stand in too.

That would be a cool little mod. But I think I'll just wait for BLI, I still have my GHQ L1's

[Cajonpassfan]

Road names would be cool, beside GN.

Look at their HO USRA 2-8-2 offerings, that's a good start...

[Dave V]

I think BLI read the market well...  As has been mentioned, the Kato Mike is long out of production and it's not the easiest DCC install out there.

A USRA Mike with DCC and sound that can be painted in almost every road out there will have broader appeal than anything Pennsy.  Yeah, I know, not everyone loves their decoder choice, but the fact that it works in DC with their DC sound system again makes it more likely to appeal to a broad audience.

I personally think it's a good call.

[andyl913]

I have the Kato Mike with Loksound installed, but I would consider getting one of BLI's 2-8-2's if they offer it in NYC. The Kato is an awesome runner, but it lacks pulling power (traction). I will look for these specs in the BLI Mike.