BLI USRA 2-8-2

[Point353]

If you do want to help them see things in a way that aligns with your point of view, merely complaining (or worse, insulting them) isn't going to help.

What will help, in your opinion?

[Dave V]

Kinda like what Bachmann does.  They march to their own drummer.  For each individual modeler they may miss more often than they hit, but like Bachmann, BLI has read the market and is doing the things that work for them, so they're getting hit after hit with the market writ large.  In both cases looking at what's sold well in HO seems to be a good indicator of what they might try in N scale.

I'm fond of saying that our cohort here is "more fringe than core" so our desires don't always reflect the desires of the much larger market.

Big steam with big sound out of the box is popular as any visit to a typical N-Trak display clearly shows.

Again, I think going for a medium-sized USRA prototype was a very smart decision on their part.  You guys are all talking about second-hand Kato Mikes and GHQ conversion kits and hardwire decoder installs and traction tires...and yep, that's how we roll on the Railwire.  But face it...most model railroaders want a choo-choo that makes choo-choo sounds right out of the box, and I'd bet 90% of N scalers out there are afraid to open up an N scale steamer just to see what's inside, let alone perform any sort of modification.

[mike_lawyer]

I do really appreciate BLI bringing products to the market, particularly as a PRR steam fan modeling the transition era.  I plan on purchasing the T1 at some point, and also probably a couple of M1s once I have my layout up and running. 

For me, though, I would rather take a Kato Mikado, a good GHQ boiler, and make my own L-1 that will pull like a stump, along with the decoder of my choice.  I know that I am probably in a very small minority in that regard. 

I am hoping that BLI will release an I1 or  J1 in N-scale.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What will help, in your opinion?

Well, not coming off like a jerk when talking to them would be my biggest recommendation (I'm not accusing you of that).

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Kinda like what Bachmann does.  They march to their own drummer.  For each individual modeler they may miss more often than they hit, but like Bachmann, BLI has read the market and is doing the things that work for them, so they're getting hit after hit with the market writ large.  In both cases looking at what's sold well in HO seems to be a good indicator of what they might try in N scale.

I'm fond of saying that our cohort here is "more fringe than core" so our desires don't always reflect the desires of the much larger market.

Big steam with big sound out of the box is popular as any visit to a typical N-Trak display clearly shows.

Again, I think going for a medium-sized USRA prototype was a very smart decision on their part.  You guys are all talking about second-hand Kato Mikes and GHQ conversion kits and hardwire decoder installs and traction tires...and yep, that's how we roll on the Railwire.  But face it...most model railroaders want a choo-choo that makes choo-choo sounds right out of the box, and I'd bet 90% of N scalers out there are afraid to open up an N scale steamer just to see what's inside, let alone perform any sort of modification.

EXACTLY. Remember, this is the home of a ground up N scale steam scratch build.

The mainsteam modeler is far closer to "off the shelf, out of the box, onto the unitrack" than I think most folks here realize.

[Point353]

Well, not coming off like a jerk when talking to them would be my biggest recommendation (I'm not accusing you of that).

Typically, when I see a BLI rep at shows, I simply ask if there's any likelihood of them offering DC/DCC-ready versions of their locos.
The response is always about the same as when I asked a Bachmann rep if they would ever make a new version of the TurboTrain - not a chance.
Perhaps the next time I'll suggest that BLI consider posting a web poll on their site - of the type Kato does - as a means to gauge potential interest in non-sound, non-DCC equipped locos.

[MK]

Their response is probably "No need for that poll.  We know there is no interest in non-sound, non-DCC equipped locos.". 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Never had an issue with Ken but compared to Camden & Amboy Models, BLI is providing great pennsy models.

Damn bro, that's a a shot below the belt.

[peteski]

The parts department at Kato USA has them available - for the moment.

MBK has the Kato Mikado traction tire upgrades even cheaper than Kato's  site (and they have 12 in stock as of now).
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/kato-n-11604-mikado-driver-with-traction-tire/

[draskouasshat]

For petes sake...………………………………….
This is NOT the Santa Fe 3800 class 2-10-2 they were supposed to be releasing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[k27463]

For petes sake...………………………………….
This is NOT the Santa Fe 3800 class 2-10-2 they were supposed to be releasing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Considering BLI's tendency to make smaller versions of their HO equipment I'd consider it extremely likely that they'll release a 3800 at some point...

[thomasjmdavis]

Considering BLI's tendency to make smaller versions of their HO equipment I'd consider it extremely likely that they'll release a 3800 at some point...

Well, they will sell at least a couple more if they produce it during my lifetime....

[nickelplate759]

BLI has just announced the next batch of USRA Mikados.
https://www.broadway-limited.com/paragon3usramikado2-8-2nscale.aspx 

NKP light Mikes this time!  Already ordered one, even though many of details (including trailing truck) aren't right for the numbers they chose (620 and 627).

[superchief]

Well Nickleplate759 just posted that they are announcing their second run, so they feel that the first run did well enough to justify the second run. That being said the MFG is going to make what THEY think will sale. Right now as post many time before the big draw is steam WITH DCC AND SOUND. So they are not going to produce a locomotive WITHOUT dcc and sound and if you want one bad enough you will pay for it and turn the sound off. The idea that the MFG would make a steam locomotive today DC only, DC and Sound, DCC only, and DCC with sound is never going to happen. Kato said that they would not run the Mikado (or any older locomotive again unless updated for dcc ready). So if you want a DC mikado then do as Mike said earlier in this post and buy a Kato, greater runners the gold standard. Sorry but as we go forward the MFG with the Chinese production problem it will probably get worst. I am a Santa Fe guy and would love a new Northern or a 2-10-2 3800 class, but that has not happened....YET. So until then I am using cast shells on Kato 4-8-4 mech or a stretched a Kato 2-8-2 into a 2-10-2, sometimes it sucks to love steam.
                                                                                         Gordon

[Point353]

Well Nickleplate759 just posted that they are announcing their second run, so they feel that the first run did well enough to justify the second run. That being said the MFG is going to make what THEY think will sale. Right now as post many time before the big draw is steam WITH DCC AND SOUND. So they are not going to produce a locomotive WITHOUT dcc and sound and if you want one bad enough you will pay for it and turn the sound off.

It still seems remarkable that there are sufficient customers lining up to pay the equivalent of the cost of a 40" TV set to have their locos equipped with a puny speaker plus a trivial amount of electronics.