BLI Watch

[towl1996]

Here's the link to the picture of the centipede. Let the haters hate...



https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1476/24270256755_d242accc1e_b.jpg.

[peteski]

While the model appears to capture the dimensions of the prototype, I have to say I'm not enamored with the Con-Cor-style pilot design to allow a behemoth engine to traverse 9¾" radius track.  I don't see that as advancing the envelope.  I would be doing what I did 30 years ago and attempt to "body-mount" the pilot to the rest of the body.

This is one of the examples where the pilot was attached to the frame which swung with the pilot.  Notice the daylight between the pilot and the body.





I used to have a photo of just the frame with the pilot attached to it but I can't find it now.

[wcfn100]

I'm posting this directly as it was written on the PRR site. Since it's public, I hope Claus doesn't mind.  The info is relevant.
Ugh, this doesn't sound good....

I wouldn't let that even phase you.  I've been to many shows and talked with many 'reps' and unless they are the owner, whatever spills out of their mouth has no meaning.

Case in point, BLI was who told me there would be more N scale steam in the last catalog. 

Jason

[bbussey]

@bbussey,
Don't body mount the pilots.  The prototype had those "Con-Cor-style" pilots:

This is one of the examples where the pilot was attached to the frame which swung with the pilot.  Notice the daylight between the pilot and the body.
I used to have a photo of just the frame with the pilot attached to it but I can't find it now.

At first glance, and based on  BLI's comments, I mistakenly thought they had designed the model to traverse tight radii.  I stand corrected.

[peteski]

At first glance, and based on  BLI's comments, I mistakenly thought they had designed the model to traverse tight radii.  I stand corrected.

I suspect that like the models, this long-wheelbase loco had a hard time negotiating tighter curves.  Doesn't the real GG1 also have a swinging pilot?

[towl1996]

I wouldn't let that even phase you.  I've been to many shows and talked with many 'reps' and unless they are the owner, whatever spills out of their mouth has no meaning.

Case in point, BLI was who told me there would be more N scale steam in the last catalog. 

Jason

I can understand the deal with a rep, but what's troubling is the missing M1. This was a PRR specific meeting and not to have the M1 on the table is most curious. I'm at a loss as what to say about this and this company, besides anything that can be said has been said about this topic. We need the dead horse emoji.

[bbussey]

I suspect that like the models, this long-wheelbase loco had a hard time negotiating tighter curves.  Doesn't the real GG1 also have a swinging pilot?

Yes it is part of the truck frame and not the body, which is how the New Haven electrics it was based on were designed.  The Kato unit designed their model with two separate components, but it was one cast part on the prototype AFAIK.

[eric220]

I suspect that like the models, this long-wheelbase loco had a hard time negotiating tighter curves.  Doesn't the real GG1 also have a swinging pilot?

Depends on your definition of "tighter curves". One of their later jobs was acting as helpers on Horseshoe. Those curves weren't exactly generous. Granted, those are not in the same family as, say the SN's curve from 40th onto Shafter in Oakland, but those were not designed for anything so enormous as an F unit.

[djconway]

At first glance, and based on  BLI's comments, I mistakenly thought they had designed the model to traverse tight radii.  I stand corrected.

Well they were -- PRR needed to get them around Horseshoe Curve

[Dave V]

The Centipedes were not specifically designed or engineered for Horseshoe...  They were designed that way by Baldwin and sold that way to any road buying.  The curvature on Horseshoe is really not as tight as you might imagine (in spite of the deafening flange noises that are all part of the "Horseshoe Curve experience").

It's been mentioned before in the thread that the Centipedes were delivered to Pennsy with the intent of using them on the head of Blue Ribbon Fleet passenger trains.  At the time they were delivered, passenger diesels were still in DGLE (Brunswick Green) with 5 stripes.  They were bumped from passenger service due to reliability before they ever made the switch to Tuscan paint along with the rest of the passenger diesel fleet.  Upon regearing they got the standard single-stripe DGLE freight scheme.

I've been told that the articulation of the front and rear trucks caused all kinds of road dust and debris to be swept up into the cab and into the rear of the engine compartment on curves.  They were universally hated in every role they played.

[Mark5]

They were universally hated in every role they played.

But they did look cool! 

[peteski]

But they did look cool! 

+1!  That's for sure!
Many oddball or one-of-a-kind 1:1 locos which were flops on the railroad are favorites of model railroaders.  Probably because most look really cool!

[Chris333]

MR has a preview of the production samples:
http://mrr.trains.com/sitecore/content/home/articles/2016/01/sneak-peek-broadway-limited-imports-n-scale-baldwin-centipede-diesel-locomotive

[peteski]

I spoke with the BLI sales reps at the Springfield show.

Centipedes are on the way to the distributors.

M1s are currently in production. IIRC he said they will be delivered in March 2106[/s 2016].

[jmlaboda - RIP]

March 2106

So its the typical waiting game... you would think that they would try to get it, ah, say, this year but given their previous track record... (LOL... sorry, couldn't resist.)