BLI PRR P70’s are in at TrainWorld.

[thomasjmdavis]

Ouch that gap looks like double of Atlas's trainman lightweights and those MSRP at half the price.

Atlas trainman lightweights?  Did I miss an announcement somewhere?

[Point353]

But just look at them - aren't they "absolutely beautiful"?   

[ChristianJDavis1]

I'm sure the lights can be dimmed and the coupling made closer, but again, how can a manufacturer produce a brand new model in 2019 and not consider those things in the design phase?

They need someone like me, or some other TRW  as consultants in during the design stage, to give them our honest evaluation (so they can fix the shortcomings before production begins).

I’m that case I feel like we would never see some of these products (can’t please everyone).

But just look at them - aren't they "absolutely beautiful"?   

They’re something alright. Not the worst models, but definitely need a lot of work; not sure if the amount of work required is worth the high price tag.

[Chris333]

Did you guys try resetting the decoders?   

[dougnelson]

Yes, we can quibble about the lights and the AWFUL car spacing.  Overall they are good, relatively accurate models.  But, I will gladly buy and fix.  I know that is beyond the abilities of many consumers, so that is too bad. 

You have to understand their LIONEL mentality.  Click those Choo Choo Shoes and watch it go round and round.  They engineer it to go round and round 9.75" curves.  At least it does not require a third center rail.

Next up:  The N Scale Giraffe car! 

[Dave V]

I'm not a fan of lighted cars since I don't do ops in the dark.

[dem34]

I'm not a fan of lighted cars since I don't do ops in the dark.

And it always adds like $10-$20 to the price tag for something that can without the right care given look.. garish.

And yeah heres "what I thought" where lightweights, but I'm an idiot and their coupler spacing. Though tbf they are on the short side and don't need much help navigating tight track work on their own.

[cgw]

"Next up:  The N Scale Giraffe car!"

As long it is a Pennsylvania giraffe car in Tuscan red     MBK now has them in stock (the P70s not giraffe)



On a more serious note  did they mix the a//c and non a/c cars in consists.     I get confused on the time periods these were used in.  Any SPFs know what time frame these were used in.

[Chris333]

Giraffe car will just make thumping sounds because they molded the roof shut. 

[peteski]

I’m that case I feel like we would never see some of these products (can’t please everyone).

This is not about pleasing everyone. You missed my point. I was not talking about nitpicking and wanting to add some obscure details  - I'm talking about having someone evaluate how sound it the basic mechanical/electrical design  (like brightness of the illumination, or coupling distance).  That sort of evaluation and change recommendations would go a long way towards a better executed model (which you would not have to spend time on modifying to bring it to a standard under which it should have been built in the first place).  There should really be no reason to manufacture a great looking model with lots of details, then make it have long coupling distance or lights which glow like a nuclear reactor. Manufacturers make more and more super-detailed models, but they seem miss properly executing the basic stuff.

[Jbub]

I'm sure the lights can be dimmed and the coupling made closer, but again, how can a manufacturer produce a brand new model in 2019 and not consider those things in the design phase?

They need someone like me, or some other TRW  as consultants in during the design stage, to give them our honest evaluation (so they can fix the shortcomings before production begins).

And we would promptly be fired for suggesting locos that are dc/dcc ready.

[dougnelson]

The first P70s date from around 1908 and were created when the PRR transitioned to an all steel passenger car fleet with the opening of the NY Penn Station tunnels.  They were modified starting in the 1930s  and lasted well into the 1970s in Penn Central commuter service.  The BLI cars as modeled, represent P70s from the 1930s through 1950s.  The non-air conditioned cars were known as hot cars and were usually restricted to commuter service, but could also be found as a rider coach on mail and express trains.

[djconway]

I'm sure the lights can be dimmed and the coupling made closer, but again, how can a manufacturer produce a brand new model in 2019 and not consider those things in the design phase?

They make the gap like that because some N scale folks still want to run these cars behind their T1's on 9 3/4" radius track.  I'm afraid that's a cross N scale will continue to carry for a long time.

[bbussey]

My 4-car set arrived Friday. Initial impression was good - the car body, paint, etc. is great. They're beautiful cars, really.

Then I put them on the track...

The lighting is ridiculously bright - so much so that it bleeds through the car sides. Think "dime store toy." There's also about 7-scale-feet between cars when coupled together, which again, is ridiculous. Bear in mind, the MSRP on these cars is $60/each. At that price point, I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation for these things to be "right" out of the box, and not require immediate modification / correction. I've already worked out how to body-mount 1016's on one car to correct the distance issue, but I'm kicking myself for doing so. I wish I had sent them back on principle.

Well, we could tell from advance ad photos that the coupling distance was excessive. And I agree that major surgery isn’t expected at that price point. But the coupler spacing is easily resolved by body-mounting 1016s, and the super nova inside the car can be regulated with a change in resistors. Other than the vestibule steps, the detail on these is very good. And @Lemosteam may offer some retro vestibule steps before long. 😜

[muktown128]

Aside from the bright lights and coupling distance, the vestibule steps jumped out to me also.  I also agree, the overall level of detail seems pretty good for the windows, doors and roof.  I'll probably get a few...and start unloading my B-man and Lima/MP P70's...

Scott