Ive been noticing that a lot of early N scale manufacturers made rolling stock marked for Boston and Maine (mostly later blue paint schemes). It got me to wondering, I know I havent seen any of the early locomotives in B&M, so what was the first N scale locomotive painted for B&M? My instinct tells me that it was the Atlas GP7 but I do know that Bev-Bel offered the Life-Like GP38-2, F7A and a GP40 (I assume Bachmann) in B&M, I doubt those predated the GP7 though.
The first accurate N scale diesel I remember was the Life-Like BL2. I remember buying one in 1989 or 90. It was in the engine maroon and deluxe gold multi stripe with the Minuteman emblem. Next came the Life Like GP20 in McGinnis era blue, black and white. Atlas got on board in the late 1990's with the Allan Dustin era GP40-2's and mid 2000's with GP-7 and 9's in various eras of maroon & gold, McGinnis Blue bird, and bankruptcy blue dips. When Atlas released the GP38-2, they did them in the as delivered blue and white as well as the #200 red, white and blue bicentennial scheme. Kato has done some RDC's in McGinnis era markings and I believe even Bachmann has done the 44 tonner in the early B&M black, red and white switcher scheme. I say accurate because up until recently, there were some "B&M" N scale locomotives that were either the wrong paint scheme or just flat out wrong. B&M Maroon and the two shades of blue are sometimes wrong. Hank, (Hytec) here on TB, is the other B&M modeler and he would know about some of the steam locomotives offered in B&M. I paint all my stuff and I model the Allan Dustin era so I only notice the B&M schemes offered by Atlas, Bachmann, Kato and others with just passing interest. Hope this helps, are we seeing some interest in modeling the B&M?
Life-Like also produced an E-7 in Minute Man scheme around 1995. Intermountain produced the Minute Man FTA/FTB in 2002. (I assume by "early" you mean release to the model market rather than age of prototype.) As far as steam, the only models of actual B&M engines that I'm aware of are the Spectrum Consolidation, and the Model Power Mogul and American which were released in 2001, 2006, and 2005 respectively. There may have been some models produced that were lettered for, but never owned by B&M. Understand that I make no statement as to the accuracy of these engines to their respective prototypes or lettering. I am merely a nostalgic old fool, not a rivet counter.:tb-wacky:
I already model the B&M, on three separate small layouts throughout my house (well two and one in progress). I saw your thread about your Andover layout, when I am visiting home I drive through Andover every once in a while... nice place. I am currently working on a very small modified oval of Mascoma Lake and Enfield so my kids will be able to enjoy my trains more (they think my small point to point layouts are boring... of course the oldest is only 5). As far as my search for the earliest B&M decorated engine, I was just trying to trace the early N scale B&M stuff out of curiosity. I knew the BL2 was among the first but wasnt aware that it came out before the Atlas GP7 for B&M. I assume that the Bev-Bel GP38-2, GP40, and F7A (ugly though it was) were the first then (at least as far as diesels go) since I cannot find any B&M locomotives prior to those, or did the BL2 predate those as well?
The first release of Life-Like's BL-2 was 1992, but I don't think that release included B&M Minute Man scheme. The 2nd release in 2001 included the B&M Minute Man scheme. OOOPS...I just re-read Spook Show's review of the BL-2 and found that B&M was included in the 1992 release. :tb-embarrassed:
The Micro Trains FTs were released in B&M. Atlas also did RS-3 Classics in Maroon & Gold and recently did them in blue dip. Kato didn't release the RDCs in B&M, they should have but they didn't
I agree that. B&M was largest owner of new RDCs with 108 (IIRC). I assume that Kato's market research gurus determined that the B&M was merely a small regional with an insignificant number of modelers, so advised to not waste money on that market. Besides, I believe the original RDCs were delivered in Minute Man, then soon repainted to McGinnis Blue, as were the later deliveries, thus further confusing the modelling issue.
An RDC in B&M would be nice and would require minimal work on the part of KATO. I guess I am just confused as to why Minitrix, Roco, et all produced B&M freight equipment but no locomotives. I know that the main focus was then, and is now, the big boys like UP, SF (BNSF), B&O, Penn Central (and Pennsy) but why bother making the B&M cars? It looks like some companies released every one of their early freight cars in a B&M scheme. What I guess we have sorted out is that the 1992 Life-Like BL2 release was the first manufacturer decorated B&M locomotive, thats at least a couple decades after N became a serious scale.
Bumthum, I assume that B&M, and other regional cars were produced in quantity because cars did not stick solely to home rails. They, especially freight cars, would be seen throughout a large part of the country, thus attracting a much larger model market than regional locomotives. We didn't have run-through or power-by-the-hour 50-60 years ago.
bumbthumb, thanks for reading my thread on the layout. Hopefully more updates will happen this weekend. Hank, it would be real easy to do up an undec RDC. Lettering from the Microscale passenger set and the Minute Man decals from the diesels and ta da! For me either just the two McGinnis logos on the nose or paint the white ends then ad the logos as they did in later years. My Dad remembers riding the B&M RDC's in the 1950's and 60's.
I rode them in the 60's. But never heard anyone call them an RDC. B&M ones are always 'Buddlinahs' :tb-biggrin:
Bev-Bel sold an Atlas RS-3 in blue & white B&M paint before Atlas did, and before the Life-Like BL2. I think they also sold the Life-Like GP38 in B&M blue.
Yup! The RS-3 is listed here as 1970s-1980s production. The Life-Like F7A and GP38-2 are also listed. I could swear that someone (I had thought Bev Bel) had made a Bachmann GP40 in B&M too. Regardless, it looks like the Bev Bel RS-3 currently holds the title of earliest factory B&M locomotive (although not decorated by the manufacturer). Bev Bel really wasnt around much when I got started in N scale, how available were their products? I just got one of the Bev Bel B&M GP38s off the Bay (in excellent condition so hopefully running with no missing parts). Now I should try to track down one of the RS-3s.
Jim, I sure wish you hadn't made this suggestion. I promised myself, and my budget, that I have more than enough power and rolling stock after 30 years in N-Scale. Now here you go and dangle a great big Carrot right in front of my nose. Wait a minute, I've been saved. I'm modeling 1949-ish, and the first "BuddLinah" wasn't bought until 1952...PHEW! :tb-tongue:
I have fond memories of riding the Buddlinahs from Swampscott to North Station / Boston Gahden to see Celtics and Bruins in the early 70's...... Have just ordered undecorated RDC-1 and RDC-2, am going to attempt to recreate B&M units..... Mike M
Highball Graphics has a decal set for RDCs in McGuinnis. It gives you enough to do four models for $5 or $6. Here is mine in the really late BM on bare metal scheme.
Well that does it. Even though my layout hasn't seen passenger service since '62, I'm painting some up. Come on Hank, come to the dark side!
I'm pretty sure that LL made an SW unit in the B&M Minute Man scheme. Almost got one once. What about all the Guilford schemes that have been done - or is that taboo to bring up in this context? :tb-wink:
