I did a search on this forum and found nothing relating to the subject. So, I’ll throw out the question: Does anyone have a clue when PCM might release the GN S2 4-8-4? I’ve had one ordered for a couple of years now and I’m thinking that perhaps it would I would be better off finding a brass model.
the goat
I have been checking the website for over a year and it is still rated TBD. That seems to mean that they have not even started production. I have heard many quesses as what what is going on, none really dependible. My guess is that the demand does not yet indicate enough sales for a profit. I have looked at the brass, but there are problems there also. No sound or DCC, will not run on 18" curves will need paint or repaint, and there is no indication that it will look that much better. I will wait.
Yeah bummer, I could have had the brass one for a really good price but decided to hold out for the other. Bad move. I have given up hoping for it. BLI really seems to be screwed up at the moment. I am almost ready to add them to my “do not by from” list.
Oh yeah, I finally got a set of the PCM “both units” DCC sound with AB link up. Now I know what that means. It means the B unit has a motor and speaker in it but no electronics. It has no DCC decoder or sound processor in the B unit. For the price they are charging for them it is a huge rip off.
Well when I put the pre-order for mine back in 2005 I think they said it would come out in “mid-2006”. So far it’s just still “pending”. I cancelled the order eventually. If it ever really is produced I’ll look at but I’m not holding my breath.
Even in used brass, the S2’s seem to be a rare bird–and when you find them, they’re usually at a pretty eye-opening price. You can find old United/PFM S-1’s for pretty good prices (and the one I’ve got is a darned good runner, even for 1969 or whenever it came out), but the S1 is the one with the Belpaire firebox and probably not as desirable as the S2–though I think the S1’s are really handsome locos.
I’m sorry that the S2 has been delayed for so long. GN fans have little enough to choose from as far as steam, unless you choose to go often VERY expensive brass. It would be nice to see at least ONE affordable GN steamer available. I like that road’s steam, it was handsome and unique.
Tom
Seems that about once a year, for forever, we have had one of these threads.
For the record, I have stuck my hopes with PCM and BLI in the trash. When, and ONLY WHEN your model is finished, or nearly finished with the tooling, and production is about ready to begin, should you announce a new model. By the time they get to it, it would have been announced for 5 or 6 YEARS.
Forget it PCM and BLI. I hoped for the S2 for many years, and even if you do produce it, I will not buy it anymore.
(GO MTH!)
Phil