With all these BLI loco blowouts happening recently, its been hard not to get the steam I always wanted but was priced out of range. I was saving a chunk of money to ensure I will get my ATSF 2-10-2, but instead I bought 2 steam locomotives not in the layout theme. [:O] I blew my wad on an A class and PRR J1. 2 eastern giants. Once again, I bought stuff not of the local I model. Oh well. I guess they’ll be barrowed power, just like my N&W Y3 and UP FEF-3.
The deals seem too good to pass on.
Hopefully I’ll have the money for the 3800 class before she comes out.
PS-- this N&W A has the most powerful sound of any BLI locomoitve IMO.
Hoo-Ha, Aggro! So you got the BLI A and J-1? Aren’t they dandies? Welcome to the Wonderful World of Power Shortage so we’ll raid the Big Guys on the East Coast and ‘borrow’ some primo movers until the traffic surge is over. Nice to know I’m not the only guy on the West Coast that can’t pass up a handsome steamer bargain. Now all you need to do is find a Rivarossi H-8 on sale. No sound, but a smooth, SMOOTH runner, and it’ll pull the garage door off the hinges. Agree with you on the A, it’s a beauty both in pulling and sound. Just hope that the Santa Fe 2-10-2 sounds like the prototype–something like a Gatling Gun. Hopefully we’ll both find out, after Christmas.
Tom
Aggro, I just got me an BLI “A” from Tony’s Train Exchange. Pretty sweet. It doesn’t run as quiet as my BLI Cab-forward, but sweet none the less. I heard you say they temperarely went to $210 at Trainworld. By that time I already ordered mine. Oh well.
On my road, the motive power is a mix from around the country. East, West, its all good.
This bohemeth J1 is having trouble on my 28" curves. The manufature minimum radius is supposed to be 24" for this particular locomotive. I believe the driving wheel base is just too far. All the mechanical parts are free moving and in correct position. She slows down about 25% on curves. [V] Its big and beautiful, but mabey not fit for this layout. [:(]
As my wife’s Spanish grandmother would have said: “Chemonyu!” (Shame on you!).[:D]
Of course, then I have to say “shame on me” as too often in the past I have also succumbed to the temptation to buy something simply because it looked neat.
The only cure for that seems to be to pick something that interests you so much that it makes it less painful to pass up neat stuff that doesn’t really apply. For me, that appears to be the Monterey branch of the Southern Pacific. I spent several hours yesterday in the library doing some research and looking over the Sanborn maps of the area. A layout based on Monterey/Cannery Row/Pacific Grove in the lat 1940’s not only appears to be emininently doable, but provides strict guidelines as to appropriate motive power and rolling stock.
SP style consolidations, ten wheelers and even the TW-8 4-8-0 are readily available. That leaves the challenge of cobbling up a reasonable model of one (or two) of the P-6’s that were used on the Del Monte. Four to six locos, 7 or 8 passenger cars, and 50 to 60 freight cars of various types ought to do it.
'Course, all the buildings will have to be scratchbuilt, but that’s why Evergreen is in business.
oh well- this kind of thing happens -i’m really eyeing an Athearn Genesis SD70 Illinois Central- that black paint w/ the “death star” on the front is really starting to grow on me- but i model BNSF- i guess i say the standard thing when there is a loco that doesn’t fit w/ the layout- borrowed motive power
The A class is barely operated, so rod and driver wear are minimal.
J1’s rods are in excellent condition, but the treads on the drivers are noticably altered. it looks like nickle plated brass was used to construct them.
BLI’s 3800 never came out. Everyone is still waiting a year later. It don’t matter, I ain’t got no money for her anyway. So I guess its a good thing…