BLI N-Scale Announcements

[Dave V]

I don't feel like it's that dire. In the last decade(ish):

Bachmann did:
1) The K4. Then just did it streamlined.
2) Another GG1.
3) Fleet of Modernism cars

Bluford did GLd hoppers.

BLMA did a G31 gondola.

Broadway Limited did:
1) PRR T1
2) PRR P5a
3) PRR P70 coaches
4) Numerous PRR diesels, with Trainphone antennas as appropriate.
5) Announced PRR RF16 Sharks
6) Claims the 2-8-0 mech is for a future H10 (and if yopu look hard enough, it's clear the cab is also an H10 cab)
7) Another run of the M1a/b with upgraded electronics
8 ) The PRR Centipedes (which, TBH, have problems, but I imagine they may re-attack those with corrections one day).

Intermountain has done a bunch of PRR freight and passenger cars (in regular of FoM schemes).

Micro Trains has done a ton of PRR heavyweights and freight cars, some foobs but some prototypical.

Model Train Technologies does N scale PRR plug-and-play position light signal masts (slightly chunky, but way better than the old NJI ones) in either LED or fiber optic, with all the proper signalling logic.

3D printed models (like Keystone Details, Yelton, etc.) offering PRR structures, details, and conversion kits.

Nah, I got into N scale Pennsy back in 2002, and I think a new Pennsy modeler in N scale has way more today than I had 24 years ago when I jumped in.

It's all about perspective.

[Mark5]

BLI is run by SPFs, so I think the H10 is a pretty sure bet.

[Jimbo]

BLI is run by SPFs, so I think the H10 is a pretty sure bet.

SPF = ?

[Mark5]

SPF= Slobbering Pennsy Fan 

[Rasputen]

What happened to that X23 project?

At this point, I think what you got is what you're going to get

Are you referring to the resin kit from Funaro & Camerlengo?  I talked to the proprietor, (nice guy by the way) at the NMRA NTS show last year about this.  Whomever commissioned this never supplied an acceptable master for them.
I think one submission was warped and they expected F&C to fix it, which was not part of the agreement.

[towl1996]

Are you referring to the resin kit from Funaro & Camerlengo?  I talked to the proprietor, (nice guy by the way) at the NMRA NTS show last year about this.  Whomever commissioned this never supplied an acceptable master for them.
I think one submission was warped and they expected F&C to fix it, which was not part of the agreement.

I don't recall who was going to produce the kit, I just recall Angel/Angela was the point person. I saw pictures of the car, it looked good, didn't notice it was warped. 

So, I guess they just gave up? 

@Lemosteam any interest here? Alot of variants could be done. Didn't you have a sample?

[muktown128]

Below is the last email I got from Angela Sutton about the X23 project on July 15, 2023.  She included several photos in the email.

Hello all,

Thanks for your patience!  I am attaching photos of our test shots of the X23 from F&C.  As you can see, the car is modeled with the upgraded lap-panel roof and AB brakes.  This makes it suitable for 1940s revenue service, as well as MOW stores cars, or the basis of a tool car or NX23 kitbash, for service into the 1950s and ‘60s.  For those that would want to tackle it (or care about such things), converting the car to a K brake makes it correct for service as early as 1922-24, when the lap roof replacements began.  We also have options for Youngstown and Creco doors, and five- and six-step ladders.

The decals are complete and shown; they allow for revenue and non-revenue service from about 1928 (the last No Keystone scheme) through 1954 for repainting, and later if you model them with the old lettering weathering out.

Now to the bad news – the roof has one too many lap panels.  New information has come into our hands since the master was made and we now have the authentic PRR drawings to correct this.  My feeling, which you would all probably agree with, was that it ought to be correct especially as incorrectly placing a roof seam on the centerline of the car would be fairly obvious from above.  The corrected master is now in process and I should have test shots by the end of the summer.  So we are close!  The bolt locations on the roof walk will be off, but a bit of putty will correct that easily.

Thank you,

Angela

[muktown128]

I spoke with Ken Silvestri at the NSE convention yesterday.  I asked about the PRR H10.  There was a 2-8-0 model on display with a 3D printed shell.  It looked pretty good, but I didn't look at it too closely or take a pic    I commented about the solid driver wheels and wish it had spoked wheels.  Ken replied with a comment like you could make super detailed accurate model, but it would cost a lot of money, blah, blah, blah...  In my opinion, he didn't seem to be too interested in being there.  I asked him about BLI ever doing Pennsy passenger shark diesels and his response ended up referencing the freight sharks.  Based on his responses, I'm not overly optimistic about BLI doing additional PRR steam locos like I1sa or J1...

On a different note, I had a very pleasant chat with Lowell Smith and did purchase an ACL baggage car from him. 

[dem34]

Are you referring to the resin kit from Funaro & Camerlengo?  I talked to the proprietor, (nice guy by the way) at the NMRA NTS show last year about this.  Whomever commissioned this never supplied an acceptable master for them.
I think one submission was warped and they expected F&C to fix it, which was not part of the agreement.

Shocked that would be an issue with how sloppy F&C kit parts can be on a good day.

[robert3985]

SPF= Slobbering Pennsy Fan 

I always thought it was "Slobbering Pennsy Freak"...

I know I'm an SUPF...and that "F" doesn't stand for "Fan"...

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Dave V]

All that said from an SPF perspective, I'd do immoral things for a Pennsy ND cabin. Or an N6 cabin for that matter (though my stash includes the elaborate brass kit for one that was once released by TrainCat).

Would be lovely if 3D printing brought the B60b and BM70k head-end cars once offered by Hell Gate Models back to life. Or the R50B by GHQ. Just sayin'. 

[robert3985]

@Dave V - Dave, let's not forget Fine N-Scale Products very nice resin kits, which include lotsa Pennsy rolling stock such as PENNSY X-31A 40' ROUND ROOF BOXCAR, PENNSY X-31 40' DOUBLE-DOOR ROUND ROOF BOXCAR, PENNSY X-32 50' DOUBLE-DOOR ROUND ROOF BOXCAR, PENNSY X-29 BOXCAR w/ CRECO DOOR and PENNSY X-29 R.E.A. BOXCAR.

Practically every video of UP transition era trains that let the whole train go by have lots of Pennsy cars and a lot of photos of the places I'm modeling show one or two Pennsy cars on industrial sidings...sooo, I have quite a few Fine N-Scale Products Pennsy cars for my layout.

I especially like the warped/wavy sheet metal-looking sides on the Fine N-Scale models steel boxcars... makes them look really real.

Here's one I'm working on, waiting for the correct Pennsy decals to arrive...

Photo (1) - Fine N-Scale Products Pennsy X-31 40' Round Roof Boxcar cleaned up, but not yet painted:


Speaking of TrainCat Caboose kits, I was gifted a TrainCat "SP C-40-3 Cupola Caboose" last Thursday by one of my train buddies who showed up at a little get-together at my new residence.  I'd get that TrainCat kit out and have a serious look at it...and maybe take the time to assemble it.  My buddy had an assembled TrainCat SP caboose kit just like the one he gave me to show us, and it is GORGEOUS! I'm thinkin' maybe the PRR Cabin would be just as impressive...

Photo (2) - TrainCat SP C-40-3 Cupola Caboose kit:


Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[OldEastRR]

Would be lovely if 3D printing brought the B60b and BM70k head-end cars once offered by Hell Gate Models back to life. Or the R50B by GHQ. Just sayin'. 

you can make a fairly decent B60 (w/3-panel-2panel-3 panel sides) out of two Lima/AHM/MP coach-baggage-mail cars, w/ a clerestory roof. Lots of chopping, and need to fill those long trenches down the sides.

[Mark5]

I always thought it was "Slobbering Pennsy Freak"...

I was being nice.

[Dave V]

@Dave V - Dave, let's not forget Fine N-Scale Products very nice resin kits, which include lotsa Pennsy rolling stock such as PENNSY X-31A 40' ROUND ROOF BOXCAR, PENNSY X-31 40' DOUBLE-DOOR ROUND ROOF BOXCAR, PENNSY X-32 50' DOUBLE-DOOR ROUND ROOF BOXCAR, PENNSY X-29 BOXCAR w/ CRECO DOOR and PENNSY X-29 R.E.A. BOXCAR.

Practically every video of UP transition era trains that let the whole train go by have lots of Pennsy cars and a lot of photos of the places I'm modeling show one or two Pennsy cars on industrial sidings...sooo, I have quite a few Fine N-Scale Products Pennsy cars for my layout.

I especially like the warped/wavy sheet metal-looking sides on the Fine N-Scale models steel boxcars... makes them look really real.

Here's one I'm working on, waiting for the correct Pennsy decals to arrive...

Speaking of TrainCat Caboose kits, I was gifted a TrainCat "SP C-40-3 Cupola Caboose" last Thursday by one of my train buddies who showed up at a little get-together at my new residence.  I'd get that TrainCat kit out and have a serious look at it...and maybe take the time to assemble it.  My buddy had an assembled TrainCat SP caboose kit just like the one he gave me to show us, and it is GORGEOUS! I'm thinkin' maybe the PRR Cabin would be just as impressive...


Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Oh, I haven't forgotten! That was meant as a list of more recent releases...the Fine N Scale kits have been around a while, but yeah, they're awesome.

I have another X31A in my queue to build.

This is an X31B I built a lifetime ago but sold: