Seems that BLI paragon 2 version of the famous N&W Y6b has come out recently (retail $499). I see that Division Point is coming up with the same locomotive (with 2 different tenders). Division Point is also producing a Y6a, Y6, and Y5. I don’t know the price of these locomotives but I’ll bet that it will be about $2000. I would love a Y6b for my N&W/Southern layout. I have 2 kidneys and I here that they go for about $5000 on eBay. Thoughts about this great locomotive and the 2 new products.
I can only answer based on my limited experience, and on my own interests. I am an owner of the PCM version, and it is a superb engine. You can get four of them for the price of one brass engine that won’t look a whole lot more detailed, or run much better, and certainly won’t be tooting its whistle any time soon.
Just a thought.
If you’d like to double a couple Y’s, PCM/ Paragon2 is about the cheapest way to make it happen, and you’d still have a kidney left to keep you running the rails.
Would I give one kidney to own a DP brass engine. Well…yeah, I would…almost anything, and not just a Y. But I already have one Y, and the much cheaper Paragon version, to me, is every bit as good…and DCC capable.
-Crandell
Les’ see a DP Y6 do this amigo!
You be hard pressed to find a better engine than the Y6 b by PCM. I have one and they are monsters, I have never had more lashed to the engine than it could pull! I have pulled 70 cars up a 1.2% grade with no problem or traction tires.
Cuda Ken
Nice model video - but it was trumped by the next helping. When somebody can make a model belch midnight-colored smoke like that 1:1 scale Y, I’ll (think about buying) it!
Since my prototype wasn’t a big operator of articulateds the closest I can come is doubleheaded 2-8-2s, and neither the models nor their prototypes could have hauled 100 cars on the 2.5% ruling grade of my layout or its prototype.
I’m saved from the folly of wanting a Y6b by the 14.5 inch mismatch in track gauge.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
That was truly impressive!! I think that I will save a kidney or two and go with the BLI Paragon 2 N&W Y6b. The other point for me is, I would like to have more than one of them. I am loosely basing my layout on the Pocohantas Division of N&W between Bluefield and Williamson, WV. They ran a lot of Y6b’s. Thanks for the input and the great video. Happy Easter.
Craig,
You might want to peruse the Broadway Limited Imports website, specifically their forum for HO. You don’t have to be a member but if you sign on it’s free. They do have search capability so just enter Y6 and you’ll be able to review the discussion entries. Praise to BLI because they have a high tolerance for criticism. A BLI rep, Matthew Williamson, monitors the forum and if someone enters a problem he picks up on it and responds constructively.
It seems they may be having some teething problems with the Y6’s. Get a good one and they’re great, get a bad one and you’ve got frustration. It should be noted that BLI does back their products(much praise on the website for that commitment) so if you can deal with the possibility of a problem, go for it.
As an aside, there is also some discussion on the forum about quality when BLI went from Korean manufacture to China sourcing.
Jon
Way cool
That is realistic model RRing
OK. I am bias, but I find the sound so, so. To me, the Loksound decoder sounds much better in my PCM Y6 b. Does the new Y6 b have dual speakers?
Cuda Ken
Just flipped mine over and it looks like there’just a single speaker,pretty good size though,checking on the BLI board to see if we can get any more info on it’s quality and such’
Others perfer the latest offering to the Loksound version guess its up to each person what you think sounds best eh’
Here is a bit better listening to the Paragon 2 at a bit slower pace which i found very Impressive’ And yeah gotta love that hooter whistle.
Keep the kidney and get the BLI Y6b. The DVP models are extremely nice, but the price for the DVP models have been close to $2700 list for the articulated locomotives. I don’t believe the Y6b will be any cheaper than the last run of the NP Z8 and they will not be DCC friendly. By this I mean the number of axles that pick up power on both sides of the rail. I have the DVP Z8’s and they did cost an arm and a leg so to speak. Key also made some great models of the Y6a and Y6b along with the older PFM models. I still prefer the BLI for running qualities and price.
CZ