BLI Pennsylvania M1a/b

[Rich_S]

FWIW, as long as these guys are, they maneuver through my 13.75" radius curvature like silk.

Dave, The MB Klein review stated these M1's will negotiate a 9.75" radius curve, has anyone tested one of the M1's on a 10" radius curve?
In the photo Eric posted, It looks like the two middle drivers are blind, probably so the locomotive can negotiate sharp radius curves. Is this the reason for the wider than scale wheel tread? 

 

[Cajonpassfan]

Nail polish plus re-soldering a few joints and boom!

Very nice Dave! Love the Pennsy position signals, very cool.
What do you use for the shimmering coal loads, I like that look, see below. That's at Summit, CA., a long way away...
Otto K. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[gkoproske]

As for "lack of pulling power," I have no idea where you got that impression. They are certainly the most powerful locomotives that I own, and the only ones that can pull a train up my helix unassisted.

This is the excerpt from the Centipede discussion:

I did the MT loaded gondola pulling power test on mine.   I put twenty loaded MT gondolas and the Bowser porthole caboose behind it.  It would not move the train, which was sitting mostly on straight and level.  Those that were not on straight and level were on Kato UNITRAK thirteen and three quarter curves on a slight downgrade.  Thus, even with a very little help from gravity, it was in full slip.  I removed six gondolas, it moved the train, but went into full slip in the middle of an S curve on the same radius Kato track.  Removal of two more loaded gondolas got it moving.   It hit a 2,2 per-cent grade and went into full slip about half way up.  It finally got nine loaded MT gondolas and the Bowser caboose up the hill.

I agree, back to the M1's.

[Dave V]

Very nice Dave! Love the Pennsy position signals, very cool.
What do you use for the shimmering coal loads, I like that look, see below. That's at Summit, CA., a long way away...
Otto K.

Otto, thanks!  I can't take credit, though...  That's black craft sand from Hobby Lobby, and I got the idea from @davefoxx.

[eric220]

@gkoproske at the risk of further distraction from the topic and sacrificing precious respect points, I feel you are cherry-picking quotes to justify your conclusion. If you read the whole thread, there are several accounts of the power of the Centipedes, most consistent with mine, which says the Centipedes can easily pull 30 cars up a 2% grade. In the end, to each their own. I'm so far thrilled with all my BLI products, Centipedes and M1s included!

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto, thanks!  I can't take credit, though...  That's black craft sand from Hobby Lobby, and I got the idea from @davefoxx.

Hobby Lobby craft sand, well I'll be dam...; oops, it's Hobby Lobby, gosh darn
Thank you, I'd go get some, but they're closed today 
Appreciate it,
Otto K.

[Dave V]

As a bystander I chose not to buy the Centipedes as a budgetary measure (I have three layouts after all!), but actually that very same thread tempted me to almost purchase a set (even though in my era they were usually west of Altoona, not east).

I will say the Paragon 2 system is somewhat unforgiving of unreliable electrical contact.  My M1s did some sound reboots until I went back around and soldered about 8 rail joints this morning.  But that's just good layout maintenance...  I don't think it's realistic to expect a locomotive of this size and electronic complexity to work perfectly on flawed trackwork.

[OldEastRR]

This is true... 
...  but I do need to find a solution until I end up replacing the track or rebuilding the layout, whenever that happens.  After 10 years in 4 different climates my HCD layout is a bit worse for wear.  The Peco problem probably always existed, but now I have other track issues in spots related to the relentless expansion and contraction ...

No! No! Don't touch a thing! You're on a perfect trajectory to duplicate the Penn Central when it was born! Maybe put a dip in the rails every 39 feet ...

Seriously, what is this about expanding/contracting HCDs? I thought they were used to avoid this problem with homasote?

[Dave V]

No! No! Don't touch a thing! You're on a perfect trajectory to duplicate the Penn Central when it was born! Maybe put a dip in the rails every 39 feet ...

Seriously, what is this about expanding/contracting HCDs? I thought they were used to avoid this problem with homasote?

The door is made of lauan plywood.  Like any wood, it expands and contracts in the presence of varying moisture.

They're generally used for benchwork because they're lightweight, sturdy, and easy (and happen to be a decent chunk of real estate in N scale).  However, I've never heard of HCDs being used because they're stable to moisture...they're not.

[Chris333]

Why not put those super caps in? If I did DCC I'd have them for sure.

[Dave V]

Why not put those super caps in? If I did DCC I'd have them for sure.

 

[Chris333]

Also what is the tender pickup situation? Bachmann should have Buckeye trucks now.

[Dave V]

Also what is the tender pickup situation? Bachmann should have Buckeye trucks now.

According to Spookshow, "All twelve tender wheels provide pickup by way of low-friction axle cups. "

[Chris333]

Also what is the tender pickup situation? Bachmann should have Buckeye trucks now.

Have to reply when I  get home to that, but I'm sure others here know. Since DCC is constantly the same voltage you can add a bank of capacitors to act as an electronic flywheel.

[eric220]

Have to reply when I  get home to that, but I'm sure others here know. Since DCC is constantly the same voltage you can add a bank of capacitors to act as an electronic flywheel.

Since DCC is effectively AC voltage, the wiring for this solution has eluded me. A little capacitance could drastically smooth out the performance of sound equipped locomotives that reboot after losing power, like the M1 and Centipede. Really, I think that a little capacitance to prevent hiccups with sound decoders should be standard issue.