Model Forum / General / Railroads / June 2004

Mark posts -

The BLI model is, of course, a USRA engine. I also happen to have the M-63a CNJ
Mike in brass by OMI. Believe me, there is no way you could even begin to
convert the former to the latter realistically! To me, even the barrell on the
BLI's  smokebox seems decidedly too small for a "heavy", especially when one
compares the model with CNJ prototype photos. It would probably be easier to
start from scratch. Initially I had somewhat the same thought about adding a
Wooten firebox and details but after purchasing the engine and comparing it
directly with the OMI and photos I quickly passed on that idea. I simply run it
as one of CNJ's USRA Mikes.

CNJ999

Wonder how it will compare to the TRIX 2-8-2? From the pictures in the July
MR review it looks like a beautiful model. At the priced listed it looks
like brass even with the cost of a decoder by be just as good or possibly a
better deal. Bruce

As long as it runs well and is reasonably powerful, I don't mind
providing the details myself. I briefly had an Athearn Genesis USRA
2-8-2 which was a great disappointment - it wouldn't pull the skin off a
rice pudding.

I have two of the 'Powerhouse' light 2-8-2s, they don't pull much
better than the Athearn and the tender truck attachment system is
'unique' to be kind, trash to be honest (no bolster and a 'funky'
truck design.

"What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist "
-Salman Rushdie

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -Martin Luther King

"A gentleman is a man who can disagree without being disagreeable." Anon

"Revolution in Politics is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment." Ambrose Bierce

"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts"
- Mark Twain

 > Mark, I'n not sure if you are familiar with the old Oriental Power
 > Series of locos. These models had cast bodies with cast and
 > individual detail parts although the overall detail was somewhat
 > limited. They also had an excellent chassis/ drivetrain assembly that
 >  was standard brass quality, Samhongsa I think or at least mine were.
 >
I've seen ads for them in MR and the like, but I've never seen an actual
model.

 > The BLI heavy mike shows similar leanings in this direction which is
 > what I suspected seeing that the owner of Oriental is also the owner
 > of BLI. This does not detract from the excellent running qualities of
 >  the BLI mike.

This is why I wanted to hear from folks who own them, or had seen these
models first-hand. The consensus seems to be that they are good
performers, which is my most important criteria when buying locos.
Thanks to all that have commented, I'll be buying a pair of these
locos next payday. :-)

 > In fact I think it makes it a rebuilders dream as the model does lend
 >  it's self to fairly easy modification with the addition of a few
 > brass parts from the likes of Bowser, Cal Scale, Overland and the
 > like

Even better. Detailing and modifying a loco to represent a specific
prototype is what I most enjoy doing. Even though the current selection
of plastic r-t-r steam locos are all accurate and well-detailed models,
they tend to represent locos in their as-delivered condition. There is
plenty of scope for individualising them to represent specific
locomotives later in their life, with all of the modifications that were
made by the railroad.

 > you can easily create a loco to suit your particular taste. In may
 > case a C&O K-1 mike.

Charles, out of curiosity, can I ask why you chose a K-1? I was under
the impression that the K-2/K-3s were much closer in dimensions and
layout to the USRA heavy 2-8-2s.