BLW is offering to put one on reserve for $287 due when released - list price $400. Based on my experience with a BLI Centipede the loco will be right or BLI will make it right. Will buy one.
I plan on buying two T1's, although I don't model the PRR. It's just a very distinctive steam locomotive. Staying cool and having fun with it....... Shades
I looked back into one of the model railroad suppliers which keep records for 7 years for an active account. From this supplier I found that the majority of motive power I have bought has been from BLI... Kato was a close 2nd. Other suppliers I have bought from probably would show even more BLI items purchased over that period. Atlas, Athearn, Arnold, Intermountain and Bachmann are relatively distant purchases in relation to BLI and Kato. Again... this is relative to MOTIVE POWER only... not other items which would likely be offered by manufacturers other than BLI and Kato.
Way back in 2000 at the NMRA San Jose Convention's National Train Show, I talked to a rep from BLI about bringing out an N scale N&W Class A. He told me that they'd have one on the shelves within a couple of years........I'm still waiting after 16 years.