Well... figuratively speaking... RSD15'S. Broadway Limited Imports has released them for the holidays. Some etailers have posted them on their website. Many are already sold out. These are DCC/Sound equipped (only) and very pricey for a diesel model... though it seems to be the norm nowadays.
If you want a cheaper deal the BLI Outlet store has them for a cheaper price: https://www.broadway-limited.com/bli-refurbishedalcorsd-15paragon4sounddcdccn.aspx
Thanks Alister, I think I have purchased from BLI direct dealers in the past. I have quite a number of their products and some may have been refurbished ones acquired at a discount. I do have concerns that a model which has recently been made is already being refurbished. I've read that BLI will test every model delivered at their facility in Ormond Beach FL. They're probably catching some 'duds' before sent to retailers and the model railroad buyers.
Uh oh... Big poo-poo from BLI on the numbering of the RSD15. They released two models in the early 'winged' Grey/Scarlet paint scheme which should have numbering between 5160 to 5162. SP only had three 'Gators'... where-as SSW (Cotton Belt) had 10 units that did include the #251 and #252 released. SP did use those numbers as well... but they were the much shorter RSD12 units. Looks like BLI fact checkers got confused on the correct numbers.
Well, not so fast, my friend. "In March 1960, shortly after testing on the Pacific Lines was completed, all three SP DL-600B's (RSD15) were leased to the Texas & New Orleans and renumbered 250 - 252 (From 4816 - 4818 as delivered in 1959). As it turned out, they were the last diesel units to be added to the T&NO roster before the road was merged into the Southern Pacific." What BLI didn't add: SP's (And Cotton Belt's) light package. Best regards, Wolf
Hi Wolf The problem is that the SP numbered them as 5160 to 5162 and that is what should have been offered as the RSD15 for SP until they were merged into SSW. BLI did make SSW units in this run as well which had #850 & #858. SP used 251 and 252 on RSD12 units (not 'gators'). ALCo produced the 'gators' in 1956 which was early enough for Santa Fe to used the Cooper Black/Silver 'zebra' scheme. The adopted the Blue/Yellow 'Bookend' scheme a few years later. I don't know when SP received the 3 'gators' but certainly were numbered 5160 to 5162 when received.
LOL on the light packages... that would be bridge too far for any manufacturer. What was the date of delivery for those RSD15 units by SP? I'm sure they arrived as standard RSD15 light package.
A little more info: SP's 3 were delivered September of 1959. As delivered road numbers: 4816 - 4818. Renumbered to T&NO 250 - 252 in March of 1960. Then renumbered again in 1965 to 5160 - 5162. In July of 1973 their road numbers changed yet again - to 3100 - 3102. (Where they were demoted to hump service in Eugene, Or.) So, it would depend on what years you model. All 13 were delivered with the full SP light package. Best regards, Wolf
According to Matt Williamson at BLI, the units they are showing are in fact T&NO models which had original numbers as 250 to 252. They were later transferred to SP renumbered 5160 to 5162. BLI will be offering these units in a future run. So as I scrap the egg off my face... I wuz wrong. My sincere apologies to all the knowledgable SP aficionados I have offended.
Thanks Wolf. The 1959 to 1969 time spread would be fine for me. Were the T&NO units using sub-lettering below the numbers? Surprised that they were delivered with the weird lighting package SP used.
Good morning, Nope - no sub lettering. In this time frame, every SP/T&NO/SSW road locomotive were delivered with the full monty "SP" light package. Best regards, Wolf
Anybody having trouble programming thier engines? I have a NCE 5 amp system and can not program them...
I really think that BLI is pre-testing the units before releasing them. Perhaps they are coding CVs but not resetting when shipped to retailers/etailers.
