BLI USRA 2-8-2

[peteski]

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.

But, but, but . . . with a little external device it will sound like thunder! 
Plus it is a unique sound decoder - nothing like you can get anywhere else, but form BLI. Lots of quirks to discover. That's part of the fun. 

[Jbub]

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.

Economies of scale... no pun intended

[Jbub]

But, but, but . . . with a little external device it will sound like thunder! 
Plus it is a unique sound decoder - nothing like you can get anywhere else, but form BLI. Lots of quirks to discover. That's part of the fun. 

Like mooing cows?

[Point353]

But, but, but . . . with a little external device it will sound like thunder! 
Plus it is a unique sound decoder - nothing like you can get anywhere else, but form BLI. Lots of quirks to discover. That's part of the fun. 

Have you been swilling Ken's Kool-Aid? 

[jdcolombo]

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).

Oh no.  Jeez.  I bought two of the first run and lettered them for the NKP.  Now . . . I guess I'll have to buy these, since they are different numbers.  And the engines really are superb in detailing and running quality (it would be nice if they did flying numberboards for the NKP . . .)  And of course I'll rip out the ###*$^ Paragon 3 decoder and replace it with an ESU LokSound and a custom speaker.  So when I'm done, I will have paid for the sound installation twice.

Does anyone need a couple of spare Paragon 3 decoders?

Sigh . . .

John C.

[nickelplate759]

Leaving aside the matter of sound, I'm struggling with how many Mikes I really need for a small layout.  I already have 3 Model Power/MRC models (2 already done up for NKP) and 2 Kato heavy Mikes (plus my P&WV heavy).   That SEEMS like enough, but the BLI ones look soooo nice.    Still contemplating getting both of them....

[peteski]

Have you been swilling Ken's Kool-Aid? 

Sure, for as long as he gives me cherry flavor!   
What do you think?  Have you ever heard of being facetious?

[Mark5]

FWIW, out of the box the BLI mike sounds pretty good. I picked up the foobish Southern 4501 from the 1st release just because.

That said, I am a bit of a loksound fanboy, so maybe some day I'll pull a JDColumbo on it. 

Mark

[Point353]

Leaving aside the matter of sound, I'm struggling with how many Mikes I really need for a small layout.  I already have 3 Model Power/MRC models (2 already done up for NKP) and 2 Kato heavy Mikes (plus my P&WV heavy).   That SEEMS like enough, but the BLI ones look soooo nice.    Still contemplating getting both of them....

What era are you modelling? Before, or after, the 2-8-4's were acquired?

[jdcolombo]

What era are you modelling? Before, or after, the 2-8-4's were acquired?

Even after the Berks showed up, the NKP ran a ton of Mikes into the mid-1950's - virtually all of the H6d and H6e classes were intact until then, and 9 of the H6e class were on the active roster at the end of steam.  There were probably as many Mikes in service as Berks at any particular time until around 1955.  But it really depends on what part of the NKP you're modeling.  The Chicago-Buffalo main was pretty much all Berks, although Mikes were used on local service.  The LE&W and Clover Leaf divisions, however, probably saw as many Mikes as Berks until the mid-1950's, when diesels displaced most of steam on these lines.  If your layout is running mainline freights on the NKP district from Chicago to Buffalo in the mid-1950's you don't need many (any?) Mikes.  But if you're modeling the Clover Leaf or LE&W lines, or local service on the NKP district, Mikes would be heavily represented.

I have too many already - two BLI's, one MRC/MP, four Kato - given that I model the NKP District main in Ohio in 1957.  But it looks like I'll add two more.  Maybe I'll run some Mike double-headers!

John C.

[nickelplate759]

After the 2-8-4s came, but as  John said NKP ran mikes well into the 1950s.    I also have too many 2-8-4s:  1 Bachmann, 3 Life-Like/Walthers, 1 Rivarossi (rebuilt), and 1 Rowa that needs to be rebuilt.

[basementcalling]

Wait, there was a first run over a year ago? I missed the boat.

And now they are doing a second run of a different version? And people are complaining about it? In this economy?

It's not like it has a wide long hood like the Atlas GP30s or something horrid.

[CodyO]

I've been surprised by the recent quick releases
F Units PA's now 2-8-2's.

Still hoping for a Pennsy L1 2-8-2. But hope these runs give them the capital to make more steamers.

While I'm not a huge BLI fan and I wish they just used ESU , I really appreciate the models they make.

[Point353]

The LE&W and Clover Leaf divisions, however, probably saw as many Mikes as Berks until the mid-1950's, when diesels displaced most of steam on these lines. 
But if you're modeling the Clover Leaf or LE&W lines, or local service on the NKP district, Mikes would be heavily represented.
John C.

Have a look at the Clover Leaf and LE&W steam locomotive rosters on this site: https://www.nkphts.org/rosters
Are there any 2-8-2's or 2-8-4's listed for the Clover Leaf, or any 2-8-4's listed for the LE&W?

[Lemosteam]

Oh no.  Jeez.  I bought two of the first run and lettered them for the NKP.  Now . . . I guess I'll have to buy these, since they are different numbers.  And the engines really are superb in detailing and running quality (it would be nice if they did flying numberboards for the NKP . . .)  And of course I'll rip out the ###*$^ Paragon 3 decoder and replace it with an ESU LokSound and a custom speaker.  So when I'm done, I will have paid for the sound installation twice.

Does anyone need a couple of spare Paragon 3 decoders?

Sigh . . .

John C.

Calling @Cajonpassfan ...