Introduced: 2021 (Paragon3 version) and 2023 (Paragon3 and Stealth versions)
BLI's gorgeous looking and smooth running light and heavy 4-6-2's were released at the same time and share the same basic internals. They use the same shells as BLI's earlier USRA 2-8-2 models. They are available either DCC-Ready or with factory-installed Paragon3 DCC Sound decoders. They run equally well on analog and DCC layouts (although analog users will need one of BLI's "DC Master" control boxes in order to take advantage of all the sound features). Support is provided for BLI's "Rolling Thunder" external sound system.
In addition to sharing the same shells as BLI's earlier Mikados, these Pacifics also share the same basic internals (excluding the obvious differences vis'a'vis the wheel arrangement). The locomotive shell is metal (with numerous press-fit plastic detail parts). The chassis is metal and split-frame. The motor is a closed-sided can, so I can't really comment on its internal specificities (although one would assume that it's a five-poler with skew-winding). The motorshaft is equipped with a large brass flywheel. A plastic "notched cup" u-joint on the end of the motorshaft spins a "spiked donut" connector on the wormshaft. A plastic clip on top of the worm tower holds the worm in place.
Current from the locomotive chassis flows into a PC board screwed to the top of the worm tower. Two wires from the PC board transfer current to the motor and an additional two wires transfer current to an LED board mounted inside the front of the shell. The headlight is white and very bright. Six wires (for track power, motor control and lighting control) run from the PC board, through the drawbar, and ultimately to the decoder in the tender. The wires to the headlight LED board are distressingly short, so it's difficult to get much separation between the locomotive chassis and the shell. Fortunately, the wires are attached to a plug that connects to a socket on the PC board, so disconnecting them looks to be a simple operation. Similarly, the wires running between the locomotive and the tender are fixed inside of a plug that connects to a socket on the decoder board. So, to completely separate the tender and the locomotive you would remove the tender shell, pull out the wiring plug, and then disconnect the drawbar.
All six drivers provide pickup, although the rearmost pair of drivers is equipped with traction tires and so are probably only marginally effective at collecting current (if they do at all). Current flows from the drivers, to the axles, and then ultimately to the chassis by way of round brass bushings that seat inside cutouts in the frame. The pilot and trailing trucks are electrically neutral. The center axle is geared, whereas the outer two driversets are turned solely by the running gear. Apart from the brass worm, all gearing is plastic.
The pilot is equipped with an operating coupler (I'm not sure what brand, but it looks something like an Accumate). A plastic stud holds the front of the drawbar to the locomotive chassis. The rear of the drawbar has a small spring hooked to it, which is then looped over a post on the tender chasses. The wheels are blackened and low-profile (IE no problems on Atlas Code-55 rails). The pilot and trailing trucks are sprung (whereas the tender trucks are not). Unlike the Mikados, there are no notches in the cylinders to provide extra pivot room for the pilot truck (evidently not needed here). A small baggie in the box contains a couple of spare traction tires.
The tender chassis is metal (unlike the tender shell, which is plastic). The coupler is chassis-mounted (and once again, sort of like an Accumate). All-wheel tender truck pickup comes courtesy of pointy-ended axles and dimpled axle-cup wipers. Wires soldered to the axle wipers transfer current to the decoder.
For DCC-Sound versions, the decoder is screwed to two posts inside the tender. Stealth versions have a Next18 DCC interface on the DC motherboard. As noted previously, wires to the locomotive are attached to a plug that connects to the front of the board. A second wiring harness plugged into the back of the decoder transfers current to the speaker. There is no backup light. There aren't any speaker holes in the chassis (or shell) either, but to be honest, it doesn't really need them.
The speaker is mounted to a plastic enclosure that seats inside the tender shell -
To remove the speaker enclosure from the shell, simply pull on the wires (don't worry, the wires are glued in place so you can't really hurt them) -
Note that the behavior of the headlight is a little strange (as least as compared to what we're normally used to). When the locomotive is first put on the rails there is no sound and no headlight (regardless of whether F0 is selected or not). The sound comes on once the locomotive starts moving (and stays on until either you mute it with F8 or recycle track power). As for the headlight, that doesn't come on until about three seconds after the locomotive has started moving (and then, like the sound, stays on until you either deselect F0 or recycle track power). The headlight is directional insofar as it will get brighter when moving forward and turn off when moving backward.
Be it in analog or DCC mode, these are impressive runners in virtually all respects. Right out of the box, mine performed flawlessly (no preemptive wheel cleaning or lengthy break-in period required). It ran smoothly and whisper quiet at all normal operating speeds. Slow speed creep (at speed step 1) is one-tie-at-a-time and the top-end speed is reasonable and realistic. Pulling power is outstanding, with mine easily able to haul a prototypically sized passenger train (ten heavyweights) through curves on level track. Pickup is superb, with mine able to creep through non-powered frog turnouts without so much as a stutter. I didn't have any problems with any of the wheels derailing (even on 9.75"-radius curves). The sound feature is impressive, although most folks may find the default volume settings a bit excessive (as delivered, the thing is obnoxiously loud to my ear). The couplers seem to function quite well (they readily auto-couple and don't spontaneously come uncoupled).
One problem I ran into with mine was that it would occasionally slow to a virtual stop and then gradually speed back up again. It only did this after I'd hooked up some passenger cars, so my suspicion was that it was BEMF-related. And after disabling BEMF (by setting CV10 to 0) the problem did indeed go away. I'm not sure what the deal was there, but at the end of the day it wasn't really that big of a deal. Overall, these are outstanding looking models that perform admirably well. And given that the old MRC/Model Power 4-6-2 might never be produced again, BLI's Pacifics are definitely a welcome addition to the N Scale locomotive pantheon.
Prototype -
There were 20 original Heavy Pacifics built in 1919 for the USRA program, and all 20 went to Erie Railroad. From 1923, numerous copies were built, and many railroads operated similar locomotives. There were 81 original Light Pacifics built in 1919, and these were delivered to ACL, B&O, GTW, M&O (GM&O), and L&N. Subsequently, each of these railroads built copies, and several other railroads operated locomotives with similar dimensions and equipment. The Light Pacifics were limited to 54,000 lbs load per axle, versus 60,000 for the Heavy Pacifics, and this allowed the Light Pacifics to run on most main lines.
Locomotive Features -
- Paragon3 Sound & Operation System Featuring "Rolling Thunder" with Authentic Sounds and Prototypical Operation in both DC and DCC environments
- Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
- Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
- Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
- Prototypical Light Operation with Golden White LED Headlight
- Die Cast Body with Die Cast chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
- Couplers: Microtrains #1015
- Separately Applied Handrails, Ladders, Whistle, and Brass Bell
- Will Operate on Code 55, 70, and 80 Rail
- Recommended Minimum Radius: 9.75 inches
DCC-Sound Features -
- Operates in DC & DCC (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
- Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
- 16-bit Sample Rate for exceptional high frequency sound clarity
- Playback Whistle for multiple whistle lengths and patterns
- Choice of 3 selectable Whistles
- Alternate Whistle where applicable - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
- Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
- Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
- Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change
- Passenger Station Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
- Freight Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
- Lumber Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
- Farm Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
- Crew Radio Communications - Controlled with Function Key
- Maintenance Yard Ambient Sounds - Controlled with Function Key
- Demo Mode for display and demonstrations
- Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
- Simple Programming with Integral DCC Decoder
- Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal - When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice.
When moving in reverse. toots three times
- Chuff sound intensity varies with load
- Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
Shell Removal -
To remove the locomotive shell, first unscrew the two screws underneath the trailing truck and then the single screw underneath the pilot truck. At this point the shell should lift up and off readily (although it may be necessary to slide the shell forward a little bit in order to clear the PCB on the chassis). Be aware of the wires that run from the PCB to the lightboard inside the smokebox (IE, don't carelessly yoink them from their respective boards).
The tender shell is held on by simple friction. To free it from the chassis, stick a screwdriver in the opening at the front and pry the shell up and off.
Grade: A