BLI N-Scale Announcements

[reinhardtjh]

Unfortunately it's not N-Scale, but HO is getting a PRR G5 from BLI.  If it sells well we might get it in 10 years...

https://broadway-limited.com/collections/prr-g5-ho-2027

[robertjohndavis]

Only if we buy 10,000 generic pancake wheel 4-6-0’s first.

[reinhardtjh]

After I posted, BLI sent out a flyer with 5 announcements.  There were 3 for HO and 2 for N-Scale.  The HO ones were the new PRR G5, a UP BigBoy re-run with new details and an expanded lineup of the Conrail and CSX theater cars.  For N-Scale we get more stock cars (with and without sound) and ARA 4-bay 70-ton hoppers.

The stock cars are (loosely) based on the PRR K7a stock car, but as I recall they didn't look all that great, having coarsely rendered siding boards among other issues.  The ARA hoppers were pretty nice, I think.  I have a few sets for my C&O steam to haul.  I will probably get more.

https://www.des08.com/t/49663633/1655305541/109808398/0/49152/h.com/

[Dave V]

...and once again no N scale PRR I1sa...

[u18b]

I wish that theater car would come to N scale.

[EspeeGoldenState]

I wish that theater car would come to N scale.

I wish all the UP Heritage cars would come to N scale, the Kenefick too. Heck even the BNSF and Santa Fe theater cars for good measure.

[mike_lawyer]

...and once again no N scale PRR I1sa...

PRR I1sa so needs to happen.  I put in a request on their website for it.  I would buy a bunch of them.

[Dave V]

PRR I1sa so needs to happen.  I put in a request on their website for it.  I would buy a bunch of them.

So have I, and I've talked to their reps at shows. I mean...

1) PRR had 598 of 'em so there's no shortage of road numbers.
2) Many used identically the same tender as the M1a/b they already make in N scale. They don't even have to change the electronics inside.
3) They've done all the research and engineering for their HO version.
4) It'd be the only RTR 2-10-0 in N scale, meaning non-Pennsy people are also more likely to buy it.

I'm also not a fan of this "let's see how this sells in HO scale first" idea. As if we're just the HO market shrunk down. Then Venn diagram of prototype and era interests may not have as much overlap as they think.

Also bumned the Sharks are delayed, but whatever.

[garethashenden]

The ARA hoppers are mostly good, the wheels look horrendous but that’s easily fixed. But oh boy has the price gone up! When they first came out I bought a six pack for I believe $100. Now it’s $130 for four. That is double the per car cost.

[delamaize]

So have I, and I've talked to their reps at shows. I mean...

1) PRR had 598 of 'em so there's no shortage of road numbers.
2) Many used identically the same tender as the M1a/b they already make in N scale. They don't even have to change the electronics inside.
3) They've done all the research and engineering for their HO version.
4) It'd be the only RTR 2-10-0 in N scale, meaning non-Pennsy people are also more likely to buy it.

I'm also not a fan of this "let's see how this sells in HO scale first" idea. As if we're just the HO market shrunk down. Then Venn diagram of prototype and era interests may not have as much overlap as they think.

Also bumned the Sharks are delayed, but whatever.

Id definitely be in for a pair if they made them, thats for sure.

[robertjohndavis]

I wish all the UP Heritage cars would come to N scale, the Kenefick too. Heck even the BNSF and Santa Fe theater cars for good measure.

Didn’t Kato do Kenefick?

[EspeeGoldenState]

Didn’t Kato do Kenefick?

Yes they did, but if BLI followed suit with what they did in HO, we could assume different drumhead versions, and functional lighting hopefully.

[reinhardtjh]

In a recent Conductor's Club announcement, BLI teased that they "may" be doing another run of Big Boy locos. 

They also updated the Delivery Schedule page on June 23rd.

The ATSF Northern moved from June 2026 to August 2026.
The USRA Light/Heavy Mikado changed from Fall 2026 to September 2026
The USRA Light/Heavy Pacific changed from Fall 2026 to October 2026
The Reading t1, second run is December 2026, unchanged, I believe
The 2-8-0 Consolidation changed from Winter 2027 to January 2027 (Still technically Winter, I suppose)
The BF-16 Sharknose changed from Winter 2027 to January 2027

The EMD E7 and E8/E9 are scheduled for December 2026 - I don't recall if that's a change or not.
The 40' wood stock car re-run is scheduled for December 2026
The ARA 70-ton hoppers are scheduled for October 2026

[Dave V]

Sigh... Bummed about the 2-8-0 and Sharks slipping. The 2-8-0 is the basis of their "possible" PRR H10sb plans, so that just got pushed to the right too.

I did my part and ordered an undec 2-8-0...future Huntingdon & Broad Top #34.

[towl1996]

BLI is sitting on Pennsy steam that could be done in N
Rapido is sitting on Pennsy freight cars that could be done in N
Microtrains/Atlas seemed to have moved on from the transition era
For the most part, I think the writing is on the wall for any new N scale PRR
What was it, 15 years ago IM referred to the Pennsy as a 4th tier road?
What happened to that X23 project?
At this point, I think what you got is what you're going to get