New deliveries:
B&O E-1 B unit, UP 4-12-2 and NP Z-2 2-8-8-2 plus CB's and speakers.
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Love it when 4 packages arrive in one day
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My 2nd order of the new PXXX circuit breakers arrived.
I ordered these, previously, but I ordered the 'old' ones by mistake!
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B&O E-1 B unit.
Imported by BLI in 2022. This dealer ran out of the A units so I had to order the A unit 'else where' and it arrived about a week ago.
This is my 5th set of diesels: I pretty sure that's about all my 'patience' can 'handle'!
Video:
Seattle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO0urkpfDhs
programming track.
A and B units in the roster listing.
pre oil.
Nicely detailed.
'See through' vents.
Not sure if that light is functional. The diaphragm moves.
Departing the passenger yard.
By passing Seattle's freight yard.
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UP 4-12-2.
Imported by MTH in 2020. All cast metal engine and tender.
I'm a little anal on steam engines: if it isn't brass, it has to be cast metal.
Didn't really need this engine but:
1) It was on a 'special sale' plus a St. Patrick's extra 60 bucks off.
2) Has working Greasley valve for the 3rd cylinder.
3) It smokes.
4) lighted marker lights (engine and tender), lighted number boards, headlight plus red light on tender.
Video of the working Greasley valve plus the extra chuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3mFcRehnTk
Got some 'sugar cube' speakers, also.
Nice box. Not sure why it is 'so long' for the engine?
I like that they used foam.
As with BLI, engine and tender already attached.
Extra parts.
Oiling.
The cam on the 2nd driver is what moves the Greasley valve.
All drivers are flanged so MTH made the drivers articulated; 6-6.
One can 'override' the articulation and secure all wheels as on the prototype.
Will see if the 'articulation' is noticeable on my 48" curves before any changes.
The one set of side rods has an elongated hole to allow for the 'articulation'.
Also, note that they had to put a gear box on each set of drivers else the side rods would bind.
Multiple 'pickups' on the tender.
Switch is on 'DCC' versus MTH's 'DCS'.
programming track.
Greasley valve on the front of the cylinders in silver.
Lighted marker lights and number boards.
Here's the center for the 'articulation'.
Deck plate.
Tender lighted marker lights.
Double headed head lights.
Close up of the 'Greasley valve'.
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NP Z-2 2-8-8-2.
Imported by W&R in 1994.
Reasons I bought this engine:
1) W&R is suppose to be 'hi end' for brass so I thought I'd buy one.
2) most of the time these are very expensive but it was marked 20% off the already about 1/2 price of what it was selling when it was made in 1994.
3) this engine will never be 'mass produced'.
Videos:
Test run. very quiet:
The DC power starts at a high voltage so the engine is running at a fast 'clip'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuq3S2mcxq4
Looks like a box of candy!
Nicely detailed cab. I think this is the first engine that I have with 'curtains'!
I thought the curtains were plastic but they are brass.
Deck plate.
I believe the prototypes were made in the early 1900's.
Left side.
NP didn't put 'northern pacific' on the side of these tenders so 'prototype'.
Engine and tender lighted.
top views.
Right side.
Tender has 'hoses' on the 'engine' side.
They may have marked the engine 20% off because there is some paint missing on the top right of the ladder and they said it was broken off. A fellow railroader has one of these engines and said there is an extension only on one side of the ladder so all I had to do was 'touch it up' with some black paint.
Close up of ladder.
Lanyards to whistle...
and bell.
Interesting that NP made a cast raised plate for the engine numbers.
The front drivers move before the back drivers.
This is suppose to simulate front driver slippage that occurred when the engine first 'starts up'.
video of the 'slippage'. Only a brief moment when the front drivers move before the back set of drivers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywiVtFLwmYU
Also, a functional 'auger' between engine and tender: functional in that it will 'articulate'.
Testing the 'front driver' slippage.