Apparently these locos are now back from the dead. Due next January. No soundless version. BL will also offer a Baldwin Centipede a month after the steamer.
I hope you are wrong as I put two soundless models on order in addition to two sound versions. I think some retailers are only carrying the sound versions. http://www.broadway-limited.com/paragon2prrm1am1b.aspx they are only making DCC models vs the original announcement had DC and DCC versions.
According to BLW, all the original pre-orders have been cancelled and should be replaced with new pre-orders. Also, all engines will be equipped with a dual mode sound decoder, similar to how the Athearn Challengers/BigBoys are.
I wonder whether all offered versions of the model are the same prototype. The descriptions are all the same, all use the same sketch. The original announcement was for two versions, a M1a and a M1b, with different pilots and different positions of the headlight. What might be an indicator is that there are two undecorated versions announced. Anyone knows more about it?
The M1b were rebuilt M1a, as far as I know this was the only difference? "The best way to tell them apart is to look for the circulators on the firebox just above the running boards. The circulators are those round objects in a diagonal line that look like wash-out plugs."
Are you sure as I put both sound and nonsound engines on order this week? The BLI site has both sound and nonsound decoder equipped engines, so it seems odd that the vendor would have better info than the manufacturer. http://www.broadway-limited.com/paragon2prrm1am1b.aspx I think BLW is only carrying the sound enabled engines but I did not call them to confirm that aspect. BLI got rid of the DC analog option in this release - Factory Direct and others are carrying both the sound and nonsound DCC engines. I called a couple of vendors and they said what they have online is what BLI sent them. There have been a couple of threads in various sites where that same assertion is being made that only sound equipped engines are being made in this release - any chance others could confirm this assertion? Not a huge deal but I would rather get my pre-order of four engines on the engines that will actually be made. thanks! John
Anyone else notice the minimum operating radius for the centipedes is 22". Seems that would knock a lot of us nscalers out of the market.
I checked with my local dealer who is also the German importer for BLI, the announcement says 3072...3075 M1a, 3076...3078 M1b. So my question is answered.
Hey Norway, I was puzzled as the retailer I ordered from had it wrong and offered sound and nonsound equipped DCC engines in this release. I called BLI today, and they confirmed they are offering up 7 models, all DCC sound decoder equipped like you said. 2 unlettered and 5 lettered. Thanks for pointing this out...I will now be changing my order to ensure I get the right pre-order in. John
BLI stated there will be no flanged replacement drivers to replace the blind drivers they used on the M1a. So the 4 center wheels are a giant 72" and float slightly off the rail, while the 1st and 4th drivers will be the only things pressing for horsepower.
