New run of BLI PRR M1a/b hits the streets

[eric220]

I’m running one of my new M1’s around. I must say I like the new decoder. It remembers the headlamp setting (the PRR ran with headlights off during the day) and it doesn’t power down completely after a momentary power drop.

[Cajonpassfan]

Dang, that thing really is UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHAH! I’d doesn’t even couple nicely with the MT on the tender. It has to be lifted over/under, and the coupler jaw can’t close afterward.

Keystone Details’ solution is far superior.

But wait, it has air hoses 
You got to wonder about these guys: FTH?
Otto K.

[djconway]

This could have been such a good model.  I'm sure that 99% of N scale operators would have been more than happy to have a working Micro-Trains coupler on the front end as well as on the tender. 

Not going to even try to look for one,

[Dave V]

I feel like the ability to doublehead should be a design consideration.  PRR was known for massive lashups going around the Curve.  Also, especially with the I1s, it was not uncommon to have multiple pushers cut in just ahead of the cabin.

Once again though I may be conflating what I'd want to do versus what your average N scaler does.

[Mark5]

So aside from the front coupler - this is a nice model all around right?

I think I will contact them about this coupler (maybe if enough of us do it they will not repeat this sort of thing on future releases).

Mark

[djconway]

I don't understand why they would not have worked with Micro Trains to develop a coupler that would replace the dummy the initially had.  Micro Trains worked with Kato back in the 1990's to produce an excellent coupler for the Mikado, BLI only had 12 years or so while they worked on the design.

Micro Trains --- remember your replacement pilots from the 1970's?

[peteski]

A correctly-scaled dummy knuckle coupler would have been perfectly adequate. 

[Dave V]

A correctly-scaled dummy knuckle coupler would have been perfectly adequate. 

But that's what the first run had...and they didn't mate with the MTL couplers, making doubleheading impossible without @Lemosteam 's replacement dummy.

[peteski]

But that's what the first run had...and they didn't mate with the MTL couplers, making doubleheading impossible without @Lemosteam 's replacement dummy.

LOL, so they have replaced it with an 0 scale coupler instead. Hey, at least it will couple with something. 

[Dave V]

LOL, so they have replaced it with an 0 scale coupler instead. Hey, at least it will couple with something. 

I enjoy shaking hands with my N scale locomotives.  Until now I could only enjoy that with my Bachmann engines.   

[peteski]

I enjoy shaking hands with my N scale locomotives.  Until now I could only enjoy that with my Bachmann engines.   

ROTFL - thank you for that!
With Bachmann engines you can actually do some sparring.

[Dave V]

With Bachmann engines you can actually do some sparring.

Among other things...   



Well..  maybe for Josh anyway.   

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Just wondering... these new pilots have a larger opening and a pin hole to hold the coupler, correct? Wouldn't this make for a simple MTL installation? I know you are focused on the goofy coupler, but I think you're missing the pilots through the couplers.

[thomasjmdavis]

Dang, that thing really is UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHAH! I’d doesn’t even couple nicely with the MT on the tender. It has to be lifted over/under, and the coupler jaw can’t close afterward.

Keystone Details’ solution is far superior.

I am no expert on these things, but out of curiosity, how does that dummy coupler compare to an HO dummy coupler, in terms of size?  Maybe somebody at the factory got the parts mixed up.

[eric220]

Sounds like there might be a slight misunderstanding here.  That boxing glove and the bit it's attached to is a replacement part included with the loco.  Out of the box, this new run of M1s has the same scale dummy coupler that doesn't mate up with anything, just like the original run.  The Keystone Details replacement coupler will still work just fine.